Since our two children’s programs have been going strong, we have spent this year developing our organic farm. In the early years, soon after founding the project, we purchased about 25 acres of farmland 1 mile outside the town’s center. The long-term goal has always been to eventually move our entire project (with brand new buildings, owned by us) onto this land. However, in the meantime, we are cultivating the rest of it (that is not designated for buildings) for both private and future commercial use.

Red beans hanging to dry amidst our current corn crop

Our new 400 sq. ft. concrete pad for improved bean production and drying

So what’s been a’growin’?
In the third week of May we seeded 1.25 acres of red beans as well as constructed a new 400 ft² concrete pad in order to more efficiently dry the beans. The beans yielded about 700 lbs., which was about half of what we hoped, but because of a virus infection, the beans ripened unevenly and we lost some of the crop. We hope that the second crop, and possibly a third, will result in a year’s supply for our center. We are beginning the second planting season now and we are seeding corn, sorghum, soy and black beans which will be exclusively for the program center. We will also be experimenting with cover crops such as Canivale beans, which are not used as food, but help to renew the soil and reduce weeds. Forty rosa de jamaica plants have been planted as well. The variety planted is one that is used mostly for personal use so when it is harvested it will be used in our project kitchen to make a healthy lunch fresco (cold drink) for the kids, which is high in Vitamin C. However, with research we have learned that there is a better, stronger variety that is used more for commercial export, which is something we are exploring for the future. Plus, we have 100 yucca plants growing. In addition to all this exciting harvesting, we are also currently offering our staff an intense month-long training called “Family Gardens.” It’s on all things farm – from tropical plants (and how to grow them organically) to insects to common diseases to how to produce food for commercial use – and it will help us to improve our overall production.

Learning to force reproduction of a typical Nicaraguan root vegetable (cepa) during the first week of our "Family Gardens" training.

And what’s to come?
What’s most exciting is that we have recently been doing research on developing the farm as a commercial vivero (nursery). The purpose would be two-fold. The first is to develop a source of earned income for the self-sufficiency and sustainability of our nonprofit organization. Until now we have survived solely on private donations and a few small grants and we are actively looking to diversify our funding sources. The second is to do our part in promoting reforestation in our area of Nicaragua which has been largely deforested by commercial cattle production. We hope to be a leader in the community by providing an example, readily available and affordable tree seedlings, and green jobs as well as training our youth to care for the environment.
To start this process we have planted over 400 cashew trees on the property. It will take at least 3 to 4 years for cashew production to begin, but we are planning ahead and the cashew nut is a lucrative crop. The fruit can also be used for frescos. (See our previous post on cashews.) As these trees develop we will plant crops such as beans between them, a system known as agro-forestry. We have also cleared the brush from a moderately forested hillside area (which contains significant shade) where we plan to plant a combination of 100 coffee and cacao trees in the next few months. We are also exploring the possibility of raising pelibuey, a short haired sheep popular in the tropics. We have raised several pigs over the years for our own consumption, but we are interested in small-scale commercial possibilities.

We are looking for volunteers, or an intern, with some training or experience in sustainable farming practices to work with us on this project. If you are interested please contact us.

The most emotional milestone we have just recently experienced at Hogar was that our four oldest boys – Medarto, Eddie, Isidro and Serafin – all successfully graduated from primary school! All four have been at the program since its inception (nearly six years ago) and we have all had the wonderful opportunity to share and experience the joy of their incredible successes (and sometimes failures) over the past many years. We are so proud of them! They will continue on with us, as this does not mark the end of their time at Hogar, but it certainly helps us to realize that the work we are doing is meaningful and appreciated. Some of these boys may never have seen this glorious day if it weren’t for the hard work from all of our staff, parents, community members and certainly the boys themselves. They are all truly an inspiration and they prove to us that real effort can make a difference. Congratulations boys!

Here is Medarto with Rachel, our Executive Director, and Serafin with his Mother, Teresa.

The other exciting day came in November when three of our younger children – Roberto, Gabriel and Ninoska – made their First Communion. They all looked very beautiful and proud. Here they are after the mass and the ceremony.