Euclid Alumni Visit to the Sea of Plastic

Visiting the Sea of Plastic to Learn about Spanish agriculture

An  Alumni Experience

Alumni Announcement: Euclid University

Euclid Alumni Charalee Graydon and Oliver Dube traveled to southern Spain in August to visit the vegetable-growing area that supplies food to much of Europe. They visited  Almería and El Ejido. They saw greenhouses and learned about how agricultural producers use plastic to protect growing vegetables from weather, pests, and disease. They visited a smaller garden with many exotic flowers. The Spanish host shared information about his greenhouse. He also provided information about people to visit to learn more about vegetable production and sales.

Oliver has specialized in managing natural resources and sustainability. He has experience in capacity building and environmental adaptation and mitigation using principles of ecological economics and the circular economy. ,He used skills in water resources management, climate change adaptation, and low-carbon and circular economy principles for socio-economic transformation.

A highlight for Ms. Graydon was applying skills she learned as a young person living in an agricultural area of Canada. The vegetable auction in El Ejido showed the auction process when vegetable growers brought their produce to the El Ejido market.  Buyers viewed the produce and made bids on the vegetables. This included courgettes/zucchini, beans, peas, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and other vegetables. The process reminded Ms. Graydon of auctions she had attended as a youth. The vegetables were sorted and grouped for sale.  Following purchase, the vegetables were weighed, picked up, and shipped to the buyers.

This summary is accompanied by a selection of photos taken at the visit. This provides a visual record of the experience.

Ms. Graydon and Mr. Dube have written two articles that they will submit to the Euclid Intergovernmental Research and Policy Journal (IRPJ).  These articles explore the potential use of this successful agricultural initiative in  Zimbabwe, the area  where Oliver had done his research.