Farm Blog

Thank you again for braving the blizzard to celebrate, connect with great food, and 'planting an orchard'! Just imagine all those future cherry trees (don't forget to squat:-).
I am so uplifted from all the good vibes, intentions, laughter and seeds shared and planted.

We were able to raise $850.00 in funds! This will go a long way, thank you! Additionally, with all the seeds donated today and from what I've gleaned from others, The women growers in the Sine-Saloum region will be able to plant out a couple hundred row feet/farm. In the past we've planted shared 'demonstration beds' ie since many of the farmers share space/land to grow on we've constructed seeds beds to trial different varieties, plant insectory herbs and flowers and share techniques. From there seeds are harvested and shared forward amongst the individual farmers. So in essence your generosity helped plant teaching/learning/eating/

sharing beds of veggie, herb, and flower goodness!
 

I will honor my commitment and extend the immense gratitude, generosity that was shared during the workshop with the women farmers in the following ways:

Work with NCBA CLUSA Farmer to Farmer Program to transfer funds and mail seeds.
I'll also email and share highlights, photos forward later this week in celebration of our workshop success.

I am tentatively set to travel there Nov/Dec. or January in 2016.

I also finally remembered the name of third grower group, JUBO (means widespread). If you're interested in learning more about how they got started, here's a link to an interview I did as part of my last Farmer to Farmer adventure in Senegal.

I Will keep you in the loop as the project evolves and thanks again for sharing your generous spirit!

For the chocolate lovers:
Becky Otte, who made the amazing truffles, has more of her chocolate goodness to share and is selling some of her creations just in time for Valentines. if you're interested send her an email: raonine@gmail.com

Also Here is a link to Roots Chocolate website.

For the Fruit Lovers:

I've enclosed a handout of some of the different fruits we grow at our farm as well as a flyer highlighting this season's events at the farm! We'd love to have you venture out and tour the orchard, come visit us (though not nearly as cool as the orchard poses we did during the workshop).

Thank you again for helping me transition from being a butterfly weed seed (ie wind pollinated, not knowing where or how my intentions, projects might stick) to more of an oak or cashew seeds - wherein I can deepen my awareness, provide support in the same place(s) in Senegal for the growers and in my backyard in Wisconsin:-). Here's to planting the seeds of the as yet to be imagined on and off the yoga mat! Wishing you all much abundance.

Happy Mid-winter!

Yours in hardy kiwi,
Erin


PS If you are into exploring the planting side as well as enjoying more local fruit creations, we'll be hosting a Local Fruit Tasting May 16, details on our website.

 

Investing in Women Farmers - Happy IDRW (Oct 15)

Join the 65 funders and hundreds of farm friends, who have invested in the future of our farm...and the millions of people around the world supporting and celebrating the efforts of women farmers.

Women are the backbone of farming. Across the planet, women play many roles in changing the food system from one of insecurity and scarcity to one of sustainable abundance and nourishment. October 15th marks the International Day of Rural Women and with it a chance to pause, reflect, celebrate and honor the stories, skills, and experiences women bring to agriculture and honor our roles as farmer, entrepreneur, daughter, caregiver, teacher, learner, farm-a-cist, auntie, soil steward, logistician, beekeeper, tour guide, facilitator, cook, wife, and fruit lover to name just a few of the hats I wear on any given day.

October 15th also marks the (almost) endpoint to our fruit n fencelifting campaign on IndieGoGo. I will be celebrating the IDRW through a combination of facilitating/engaging in a global discussion with others through my role as Women's committee member with the World Farmer Organization, and honoring the day, hoisting a toast, shovel in hand, to fellow women farmers from the field, digging and placing fenceposts for our orchard.

Orchard fence taking shape. We have 24 posts in the ground so far and would so appreciate 24 more funders contributing $24 or more ea in the next 24 hours! Help us nail this one home:-) Go to indiegogo.com for details and to donate. Thank you!

Orchard fence taking shape. We have 24 posts in the ground so far and would so appreciate 24 more funders contributing $24 or more ea in the next 24 hours! Help us nail this one home:-) Go to indiegogo.com for details and to donate. Thank you!

I would so appreciate your investment in our farm's fencelifting campaign, and with it a chance to support the current and future generation of fruit growers (our fence will last 40 plus years and funds raised will also go to planting more locust trees - our future fenceposts - as well as more fruit trees for you to enjoy!

Farmer Erin sorting through locust fence posts for staging in the orchard. By supporting our farm, you are supporting gender equality in agriculture.

Farmer Erin sorting through locust fence posts for staging in the orchard. By supporting our farm, you are supporting gender equality in agriculture.

The World Banks Global Development Report 2012 stresses that gender equality can lead to increased productivity; women's control of household resources can improve the livelihoods of the next generation. More investment in women farmers will help alleviate hunger and poverty and will lead to more social justice and empowerment for girls and women. When women earn more, they invest more in the health of their families and communities, thus ensuring vibrant, well-nourished future generations (Food Think Tank, 2014).

More investment in our farm means more nutrient dense organic fruits and vegetables for you and our community, and the ability to engage, connect, learn, and share innovations in sustainable agriculture with growers and eaters from our backyard and around the world for generations to come.

We are so close to our campaign and would so appreciate your help donating and/or spreading the word in the final days of our campaign! Thank you for your time, consideration and supporting small-scale, hand powered sustainable agriculture for the 21st century.

For more resources on IDRW/women in agriculture:

International Day of Rural Women

World Farmer Organization - Women in Agriculture

Reversing the trend: give small farmers the means to feed the world, including elevating women's status
 

The case for more women in agroforestry


Does it matter who tells the story?

Women farmers achieve yields that are 20-30% less than men due to unequal access to inputs, resources & services @FAOnews http://farmingfirst.org/women

Food Think Tank and GFAR video on Investing in Women Farmers

and don't forget to support your local farmHer.