Week 14, 2015-16 Season

Finally back home from Guatemala and thank the good Lord, everybody is safe and sound and the farm is doing fine.  Kudos to Jenn for managing everything, expertly, while I was gone.  I had a very productive time in Guatemala working with La Floresta based in Coban, Guatemala as a volunteer in the Farmer to Farmer Program from USAID.  We also had a few classes with other producers and La Floresta's employees.  They propagate ivy, aloe, pony tail palms, liriopes, pothos, and philodendrons at three very different farms for export to the US and Europe.  I assisted them in making recommendations in changes to fertilizers, weed control, and worker protection safety along with some other harvesting ideas.  The main goal was to increase yields and reduce costs.  The bonus will be a reduction in the company's environmental impact and helping their employees minimize their exposure to pesticides.  I also learned a few things from them as well to implement with my growers and farm.  It was also somewhat sad to see the clear cutting of forests.  I was at one farm and could hear the chainsaws working on the nearby mountain side making room for other crops. This was especially poignant as this area abounds in orchids that grow on the forest trees.  In fact, I saw an orchid no bigger than the tip of my finger at an orchid reserve that was dedicated to protecting the plant and preserving their habitat.  When we lose a specie whether it be animal or plant we also lose a bit of ourselves in relation to that species.  All in all, it was a good trip and I learned a great deal more about and have a connection to, the people of Guatemala.  It certainly was a very beautiful country once you get out of the cities.  The country is very mountainous and reminded me of either Arizona in southern Guat. (very dry and desert-like) or North Carolina in north-central Guat (pine trees, tall mountains, cool and damp).  It was very interesting to see a smoking volcano when I touched down in the airport. (Pictures to follow soon.)  I was slightly nervous at times for fear of the unknown and the safety of doing different things but I had a good host and a colleague to assist with things.  I am also very glad to be back with my family and farm.

The farm is doing well and we will be harvesting beautiful lettuce this week along with other items.  The potatoes are doing great and our next crop of tomatoes are gearing up for outside planting.  Next in the line up to plant are beets, cabbage, more lettuce, broccoli, and more Swiss chard.  Within a few weeks we will be planting sweet corn, beans, squash, cantaloupe, and watermelon (yes, I will once again plant melons with the hope/fantasy of actually harvesting them.)

We captured two possums in traps near the strawberries and the electric fence.  My apologies to raccoons, as I figured they were the culprits.  I may have been quick to jump to erroneous conclusions, however I still don't trust those masked fiends.