Field Trip

A day on the road.... we went to a nursery owned by John an amazing horticulturist who has been trying many new varieties from Embu and always improving his plant stock. He fed us yellow and red tree tomatoes and export grade avocados and sent us off with red bananas and purple sweet potatoes. We stopped by our friend Ayub's to collect the Amani gate and buy some vines for the entrance to KACH that will climb to the second story. We also visited a lovely garden Karamana had found to get ideas.

11 Acres

Monday Kathy, Bernard, Chris and I set off from KACH on foot and after a lovely walk through forests of thitonia and an alley of grevillia trees we came to the 11 acres. I actually looked at this land in 2008 with Karambu and even at that time saw it's huge potential. Currently Karambu is renting it and planted a supply of maize and beans, It would be an amazing avocado orchard. It is set on a slight hill with a view of surrounding mountains and it's back to the forest. There is a very nice house that has been sitting empty. Chris and i immediately saw the possibility for a country guest house that could generate good income for KACH and provide a magical farm experience. At Present we are trying to raise funds to get some more help to plant the land before the rains stop as well as looking into a potential purchase. Surprisingly it is quite expensive and the owner is asking around $75,000USD.

Dr. K's 2 acres

Dr. Karambu had acquired these two acres last summer and we laid out a loose farm plan before I left last July which Bernard and Simon implemented. This is what it looks like only 7 months later. It provided a crop of maize and beans and has been planted with fruit trees. The kids each have a Bio intensive plot of their own and it is doing very well. We learned some good lessons about intercropping such as that pumkins are big feeders and use alot of nitrogen and that our fruit trees should be at least 18' feet apart. I really had no idea just how fast and big things grow it is almost incomprehensible to me! We enjoyed tea on the lawn many afternoons. A group of women from a village near chugu came to inquire about KACH and looking at starting similar. It is incredible what a community has been created in such a short time from the office with Silas and the two Purity's, Sweet Ann's amazing cooking to the fertile gardens.

Karamana's Letters

Seems as all is going well with KACH and the gardens.... Here are a few excerpts from Karamana's recent letters

October 2nd, 2009

"Hello Hi Lisa how are you? we are all fine here in meru,kach is doing really well The gardens are doing good we use the vegetables from the gardens most of the times. The onions are very good and have an amazing taste in the food . Several Blocks have been prepared on the other farm and the children help over the weekends. Simion and benard have done a good job.They instruct the children while working on the blocks.Am sure youll be amazed when you see the pictures.The Gate is now fixed ,there is a beautiful round about with a path leading to the kitchen and to the animal shed. About the Permaculture conference i would really love to be apart of it.this will enable us get very good information on how to bring the change we are advocating to our community. i have been sharing the idea of bringing nature back to nature ,with several groups.The biggest challenge is there interest to come and see our gardens. We were hoping to see you in nov. but since things have changed we undestand and we will keep doing the work here at our level best. we wish you all the best and thank you for each and everything.Thank you so much for the books you sent us.there is one that is really helpfull(herbal body care business)when i finish reading i will tell you more about it.asante sana..... regards to all your friends... peace and love karamana." October 6th, 2009

"Hello Lisa, How are you? It is my prayer that you are doing well. I am writing to thank you very much for the organic gardens which provide vegetables for the kitchen. There were 3 malnutritioned children who came to kach. The vegetables from the gardens have done a transformation in their health. Asante sana. We are expecting the rains any time from now. I will grow bushes of Rosemary. Simon and Bernard have really changed the face of the other farm. The blocks already have vegetables and the kids were working on others on Saturday. Will forward pictures soon. Pass our warm greetings to all. Peace/Love Karamana."

SEEDS WORKSHOP

Here are a few shots of the seed workshop by the Organic Seed Alliance at Abbondanza Farm. I will be taking over several varieties for testing in November!!!

Greening the Desert: another plug for permaculture!

Tribute to the garden

One of my best memories form last October was pulling rocks out of the ground to get the garden started.  It was a real therapeutic experience for me.  My life style is so different at home; stressing about work, dead lines, contracts, fixing the house and everything in it, getting mad when my computer crashes or when the internet doesn't work...  In the garden, I was 100% happy.  Every time I pulled a rock out of the ground, I would think; "One less rock in the garden!".  So simple, so tangible, so real...  ...so awesome!  That's when I realized I didn't work with my hands enough and acknowledged that I have a need to build and grow things.  I think that a lot of us are losing touch with that aspect of being human, including me.  Many of the things we do these days happen on a desk or on a screen and we don't get to experience the satisfaction of watching something we created come to life.

Coming back to see the state of the garden 8 months later was truly satisfying.  It looks beautiful.  At least once a day, I take time to walk through, look, touch and smell...  It's amazing to witness how it changes from one day to the next.  Not to mention it will provide food for the kids.  If you've never done it, try growing something!