The Rainforest

One of my primary responsibilities is caring for a piece of the farm in the Global Village, which is a section devoted to 6 different growing environments.  Tropical highlands, Tropical lowlands, Monsoon, Semi-arid, Rainforest and Urban gardening.  I will have oversight of and responsibility for the rainforest section, which is about 1 acre of weed-producing soil.  There are about 130 trees and another 40 plants that need care.

The rainforest section.  North is left.

Twice a year we (the interns) are given a list of plants we are required to grow along with recommended start dates.  Any extra space is ours to plant as we please.  Some plants do well in the hot wet summer months (okra, spinach) and some do better in the fall/winter (tomatoes, broccoli).  Many of the plants we grow are not traditional vegetables, but are food crops that are highly nutritious but under-utilized (chaya, winged beans).  

The purpose of the Global Farm is to act as a demonstration to the public of efficient farming methods and systems, as a seed producer for the seedbank (an agricultural missionary resource that ECHO provides at no cost), a teaching tool for the students, interns and conference attendees that cycle through the farm and as a testing ground for under-utilized plant trials and growing methods.  Layered on these goals is a commitment to use low-cost, natural pest control and fertilization when possible and a goal of order and beauty in the way the farm is maintained.  

New experiences in the last week:

1. Saw TWO real live alligators

2. Saw and messed with (poked a stick at and verbally derided) five snakes in five days

3. Made strawberry, loquat and apple gelato from scratch (it's easier than I thought)

4. Ran germination trials for fruit, tree and vegetable seeds (I put them in dirt)

5. Used a bicycle-powered table saw (I pedaled)

6. Played bocci ball

7. Went 3 days without needing to touch my wallet or car keys (NALC, SERE, Korea, Honduras, Romania and Georgia don't count)

Admit it, you thought pineapples grew in the ground.