Fresh Mountain Air and the Power of Poop

Ah, Semana Santa (Holy Week) – Apart from going to Mass, basically a week during which no one does anything…seriously. My original plan for the week was to stay at home at plan, organize, clean, plan, and plan. This worked relatively well until about Wednesday, when I started to get restless and the extreme heat began to make me want to cry.

So, I decided to head up to the mountains for a few days, with the hopes of still being productive and working on workshop planning and grant proposals while at the same time being in a place where no one knows me, eating nothing but fresh, raw fruits, veggies and eggs, and occasionally needing a sweatshirt to keep warm (keep warm – I don’t even know what that means anymore). My destination of choice…Ecojoya Organic Farm, located in the mountains outside of San Isidro (about 2 hours from my town).

My first morning on the farm began with a run at sunrise, which is a beautiful thing anywhere, but even more so when you’re at the top of a mountain in one of the most beautiful counties in the world. As if this wasn’t good enough, I was also accompanied by Osito (“Little Bear), the farm owner’s adorable golden retriever/spaniel mix. The rest of the morning was spent learning about the various chores on the farm (feeding the free-range chickens; milking the goat, Betty, and giving leaves to her husband, Billy, and her baby girl, Bambi; watering the wide variety of plants in the garden, etc.). Ben, the farmer (for real that’s his name), is very clever in his attempts to make the farm as self-sufficient as possible. All food compost that doesn’t go to the chickens goes into a big, covered bin which attracts all of fruit flies to come and set up tent. They stick around long enough to morph into worms, which then walk up a ramp Ben built on the inside (knowing they would want to get out at this stage) and fall right into a bucket (or as like to call it, “death bin”) which then gets taken out to the chickens for their dining pleasure. Other self-sustaining projects that are in progress include tilapia pond and aquaponic garden which will provide each other with everything they need to make delicious organic produce and fish, as well as a system that will turn all the poop in the house to electricity (mmm…yummy). I was fascinated by every inch of the farm really, from the miracle plant (of which every part can be used for something different), the solar powered water heater, the sloths and tucans in the trees, and the presence of delicacies such as kale and sweet potatoes which I hadn’t seen since leaving the States over a year ago.

In addition to enjoying the lovely weather, running company, breathtaking views and heath/environmental wake-up call, I was also able to get a lot of work done for my projects. I was definitely inspired to find as many ways as possible to utilize all the materials mother earth has given me, base my diet on local food sources, and overall just try to do a little less damage to this planet while I am on it, so that it can be around for more people, plants and animals after me. Coincitentally, I am also currently reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver, which is another great reminder to buy from local food sources and how everyone can make the world a better place by becoming a little bit more aware of their consequences of their everyday actions. I highly recommend this book to anyone who eats or needs food in order to survive.

Things back here in Buenos Aires are good (besides the hot, dry weather), and I feel a new, positive energy which will hopefully get me through the next couple months of hard work which are ahead of me. I hope everyone at home is well, having now been in country over a year the homesickness which was really only heavy in the beginning is starting to creep in every now and then. While I miss home I never for a second doubt my decision to be here, and couldn’t be more content having the opportunity to do this work. Peace and love, and keep sending me emails so I know how everyone is doing (mom, I know you’re the only one reading this…so email me please, thanks).

Ok, so as you can see I still have not mastered putting pics up on Blogger, so the disorganized array you find here shows (from top left to bottom) the view in front of the farm house before my run at sunrise, the 80 foot waterfall I walked to (there are 4 on the property), the farm house, and me sitting on the basement stairs after tangerine picking (I couldn't wait before getting up the stairs to start eating...soooo good!).