It doesn't rain ...

... it pours! The short rains have been anything but short in terms of their intensity. This has been a mixed blessing for people across the country, especially with many reported incidents of flooding. We still give thanks though because the rains have been very good for the crops on the farm. The beans and chick peas are in full pod, and the groundnuts are in flower.

With the weeding completed and the continuous rains, there hasn't been too many activities around the farms. A lot of people take this time to pursue other endeavors and take a break from the farm work. This is how it has been with the majority of volunteers who have taken some time to visit family. Currently, there are 3 volunteers who have stayed back at the farm, and have been, by no means been idle: Ital Wandudu, Ras Rukundo and Ras Abassa. They have been focusing their efforts on the tree nurseries, and we have a very decent tree nursery coming along. The tree nursery includes a lot of fruit trees (avocado, guava, tree tomatoes, mangoes, moringa) and other various indigenous trees (grevillea, croton, sycamore, etc...).


The young youth from the community from the ages of 4 to 14 years have proved very receptive and very proactive in adding to our tree nursery. In fact, most of the seedlings that we have in our nursery are being brought on a daily basis by the young youths who are on school holiday. Therefore, we have a constant stream of young visitors. Approximately 10 youth visit the farm each day. They always bring along either tree seedlings, wild mushrooms for food, and sometimes fruits.


Subsequently, the volunteers have now set up art classes with the young youth. When the youth visit the farm, they get to spend time with the volunteers and learn how to do some simple artwork such as beadwork, and making chains and bracelets. The volunteers have also been concentrating on art production and sharpening their art skills. Look out for a whole new inventory of art products on our website!

Also, having received some organic farming modules from the Organic Farmer representative, the volunteers have been learning, sharing, and effecting the methods outlined in the modules as appropriate. For instance, we are implementing various composting methods, and sharing ideas on conservation agriculture. Conservation agriculture involves three main principles: continuous minimal mechanical soil disruption, permanent organic soil cover, and diversified crop rotations.

Working in partnership with the Organic Farmer, we plan on starting the community farmers workshops commencing in January. But meanwhile, we are still interacting and learning from other farmers in the community as we go along.