Teacher Conference

Today's Organic Garden Class was superb!  We were given a very generous donation by Pete Jarveis of several costales of worm castings.  If you know about organic gardening, you know this is black gold....and very beneficial to our garden soil.  In addition, Pete brought several varieties of heirloom seeds for our seed planting class today.  Gracias Pete for your continued support and gifts.  We truly appreciate your presence.

Worm Casting Donations

by Pete Jarveis

Our garden was also revisited by our foes, the Leaf Cutter Ants.  The man who brought us our worm castings, Raphael, had another suggestion for our problem....a fermented mixture of human urine and cow manure applied several times. directly to the ant hole.  We discussed this in class and are considering implementing the solution in our garden (more to discusss).

Teachers In Classroom

In classroom, we also covered lunar cycles and their effect on plants.  Maestro Antonio was present to answer all questions and gave a wonderful class.

 Lunar Cycle Effects on Plants

Then it was time to go out to the garden.  Rocio, from Huerto Cafe, oversaw the distribution of the worm castings in the new garden bed soil preparation.

Worm Casting Distribution

Our garden continues to grow beautifully.  The Public School District Supervisor visited the 4th grade class this past week and was surprised and pleased with the education being given to the 4th grade organic gardening class.  Maestra Alma also stated that she too is learning along with her students.

 Our Jardin

Today was seed planting day, and the students were all given egg shell planters to start their seeds....in 1 or 2 weeks the seedlings will be ready to plant into the new garden beds.

Seed Starters

A new Volunteer Fundraiser is being plannned soon.  On Wedneday we will have reporters out to the garden for foto opportunities and interviews.  We expect La Pagina, El Charral and The Guadalajara Reporter to be present.

In additon, a new fruit tree orchard is on the horizon in the organic garden area.

Thank you to all who support our efforts to "Plant A Seed Of Hope and Change" in our Chapala Community.

Enaj, Simohn, Louraisha, Martin, Antonio, Brad y Fco.

Radio Interview In Guadalajara - Valentine's Day 2015

Our garden partners, supporters and friends from Huerto Cafe, Rocio and Fernando, invited me to be interviewed on their weekly radio talk show FM 103.5 "La Tapatia".  The interview was scheduled for Saturday - Valentine's Day...so I headed to the big city.

Plaza Tapatia, Valentine's Day

Guadalajara, Jalisco

 Rocio and Beto

In Booth

Fernando and Ing. Antonio from ITESO

In Studio 

The talk show allowed me to speak about the creation of the Ramon Corona Children's Organic Garden Project....how it came about....how we started with nothing but a dream and how the community has supported our efforts throughout.  During the broadcast we had listeners call and write into the station to ask about how they could start their own community organic garden.  We were also given the opportunity to thank the students, teachers, volunteers and organizers of the project.  I turned out to be a grand morning, and we thank Rocio and Fernando again for all their efforts and donations.

Aside from it being Valentine's Day, the city was celebrating its 473rd year of existence that day.  The downtown area was dressed to the 9's and the Mayor and his staff were handing out pan dulce and champurado to the early morning crowds in front of the Catedral.

Mariachi in front of the Catedral

MiBici

While in Gudalajara I took advantage of the public transport system, using their MiBici vehicles to get around.  This is definitely a welcome addition to urban transit options.

Hospicio de Cabañas

Daniel Lazama

When I am in Guadalajara, the one place I always visit is the Hospicio de Cabañas.  The Instituto Cultural Cabañas always has wondeful exhibits or hosts amazing performances.  This trip proved to be worth the visit.

Thursday Feb. 19th, 2015

Ramon Corona Children's Organic Garden

Louraisha enjoys watering

 Harvesting Lettuce

  Daikon Radishes

Today we harvested our first crop of Daikon Radishes...and they were delicious!  The kids enjoyed them fresh from the harvest and were able to take radishes home for their dinner tables.

We loved the flavor! (well, most of us did)

 New Garden Bed Planting

With the help of parents and friends we continue to plant new beds...one or two a week.  Our friend Pete continues to bring us his beautiful starter plants and we continue planting seeds and change for the future.

Gracias to all those who are assisting us in our efforts.  The Ramon Corona Elementary School's 4th grade class also sends its appreciation.