So, even though October 2011 was a long month, our blogging was a bit quiet. Although that does not mean that there was not a lot going on. At the beginning of the month, Paulo, Lauren and Hannah went by horseback to visit some neighboring communities, and met several people that work in an organic coffee producers cooperative. The cooperative receives coffee beans from a few nearby farms and then does the processing and roasteing and packaging of the coffee. The coffee is so so good. Besides the great tasting coffee, it is a good opportunity for Finca Rio Perla to have such a cooperative located nearby ... because we have been planting coffee trees at the highest altitudes of the farm. As we have mentioned before, the entire area had been a coffee-procucing area until about 15 - 20 years ago.
At the beginning of October, the new infrastructure for the goats was finished, and work began on the new infrastructure (stables and storage areas, "bodegas") for the horses. But first, it was decided to once again strengthen the water systems to guarantee an independent flow of water to animals and plants and houses. The official municipal water system needs to be upgraded, but that is a big job and for the San Franciso - La Perla Aqueduct Committee and/or the municipality.
In addition to physical infrastructure for the horses, a major effort has been to improve the pasture and especially planting of special high-quality grasses. So, we hired out a tractor to use the plow we bought and prepare some land near the new horse stables and arena, and the veterinary doctor from Turrialba brought the special grass "plugs" to be planted. In addition to improved pasture for the horses, more land is being cleared by Miguel and Esteban and they are planting with sugar cane. We have been taking cuttings of good sugar cane from high up in the macadamia orchard to be planted at lower levels. Also, we have been getting some planting material from neighbors.
For the infrastructure for the horses, Efrain and Miguel and Esteban have been helping Jose and Roger finish the foundation and basic structure, so that they can concentrate on the carpentary work. The foundation and basic structure are finished, and the roof is up too. Now, to finish the individual stalls.
Things are moving ahead in the gardens, as Vivian and Sandra have taken over. They have also bee continuing to transplant coffee seedlings, using coffee bean from the lone mature coffee tree that still exists at Finca Rio Perla. Also, there is maintenance of the cacao trees that were planted at the lowest areas of the farm, and other fruit trees that have been planted.
Paulo was a bit distracted during October with work on a research proposal for Zambia and a 2-week trip to Niger. But, communications with FRP have been good. And, at least Paulo was around to celebrate Hannah's 11th birthday. Another distraction during October was the rain. There were a few storms off the coast that led to difficult weather conditions at the farm. Of course, these were the storms that later battered the East Coast of the USA with rain and snow. Yes, snow in Washington DC in October. Sounds like a Halloween trick-or-treat ... jajajaja ...
Anyway, trying to catch up with the blog ... lots happening at the farm ... trying to catch up ... Pura Vida, Dr. Paulo
At the beginning of October, the new infrastructure for the goats was finished, and work began on the new infrastructure (stables and storage areas, "bodegas") for the horses. But first, it was decided to once again strengthen the water systems to guarantee an independent flow of water to animals and plants and houses. The official municipal water system needs to be upgraded, but that is a big job and for the San Franciso - La Perla Aqueduct Committee and/or the municipality.
In addition to physical infrastructure for the horses, a major effort has been to improve the pasture and especially planting of special high-quality grasses. So, we hired out a tractor to use the plow we bought and prepare some land near the new horse stables and arena, and the veterinary doctor from Turrialba brought the special grass "plugs" to be planted. In addition to improved pasture for the horses, more land is being cleared by Miguel and Esteban and they are planting with sugar cane. We have been taking cuttings of good sugar cane from high up in the macadamia orchard to be planted at lower levels. Also, we have been getting some planting material from neighbors.
For the infrastructure for the horses, Efrain and Miguel and Esteban have been helping Jose and Roger finish the foundation and basic structure, so that they can concentrate on the carpentary work. The foundation and basic structure are finished, and the roof is up too. Now, to finish the individual stalls.
Things are moving ahead in the gardens, as Vivian and Sandra have taken over. They have also bee continuing to transplant coffee seedlings, using coffee bean from the lone mature coffee tree that still exists at Finca Rio Perla. Also, there is maintenance of the cacao trees that were planted at the lowest areas of the farm, and other fruit trees that have been planted.
Paulo was a bit distracted during October with work on a research proposal for Zambia and a 2-week trip to Niger. But, communications with FRP have been good. And, at least Paulo was around to celebrate Hannah's 11th birthday. Another distraction during October was the rain. There were a few storms off the coast that led to difficult weather conditions at the farm. Of course, these were the storms that later battered the East Coast of the USA with rain and snow. Yes, snow in Washington DC in October. Sounds like a Halloween trick-or-treat ... jajajaja ...
Anyway, trying to catch up with the blog ... lots happening at the farm ... trying to catch up ... Pura Vida, Dr. Paulo
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