HEPA (Human Ecology Practical Area) Farmer Field School (FFS) is a pioneering training dedicated to strengthen indigenous youth. HEPA FFS lies at the heart of the 6 inter-thematic networks action of Mekong Community Network Action for Ecological Trading (MECO-ECOTRA).
Overuse of resources and the lack of a caring attitude towards Human-Nature relationships in many sensitive watershed ecosystems have been the major causes leading to land desertification problems, gradual erosion of social traditions, and the losses of ecological biodiversity.
The obvious changes of Ton Ka farm in the last 4 months
05/05/2014
After the farm evaluation in Dec 2013, Ton Ka farm, managed by Udom a K3A student, had many significant changes. Areas around the house and garden have been cleared up; the banana circle and its in-put and out-put of domestic waste-water has been redesigned. Udom applied many lessons by using principles of ecofarming on his farm such as: designing the vegetable garden near the house to save energy; creating a diverse vegetable garden that is planted with a lot of types of vegetables and herbs to limit pests and increase income; Mulching to keep moisture in the soil and to provide nutrients for the beds. In addition, the farm has also been trying to grow some local species from Laos such as Job's tears(Coix lacryma-jobi), chili, and eggplant.
Source: Udom (K3A)
The road entering the farm
Spices and vegetable garden beside to the house
Banana circle was redesigned to be more suitable
Vegetable garden was mulched to keep moisture in the soil in two ways: (1) Mulching by dry grass (2) Reusing the canvas from the nursery
Herb bed was designed in the shape "L" meaning Learning
The diverse vegetable garden in front of the house
News
Sustainable Ecological Livelihood and Food Sovereignty 
