Finally on the farm

Did you know that the government tests the alarm system every first Monday of each month in the Netherlands? Because I didn't. That was really fun, imagining all of the ways I was about to die from as I ran across the field towards the farm house with six sirens going off from all directions...

That was my first day on the farm. Rather exciting right? But it actually was! Apart from my "near death experience," I had an amazing day. This establishment has two of my favorite things, education/psychology and agriculture. The 'farm,' or rather a very large garden with a field behind it, also has a foundation with a  small scale school open to everyone, but mostly children with autism and any sort of learning issues attend. I hope to be able to sit in on a lesson sometime this week so I can learn more about how it is run.

Now on to the good stuff.

The garden is set up by the principles of permaculture. For those of you that were not close enough to hear my stories about agriculture during my JMU days, permaculture is the practice of holistic management in a garden through the irrigation, nutrient systems, and design; it is made to keep a closed nutrient loop throughout the property. For example, the chickens they keep are let into the garden to eat slugs and poop everywhere, therefore keeping the nutrient cycle closed. Theoretically nothing will enter or leave the loop. This particular garden is set up in a commonly used design, a wheel. At the center they have an apple tree, surrounded by circles and paths which get get higher as you move towards the outside. This helps block the wind and allows for a variation in shade and sun so species diversity is greater within the wheel. The perception I have about this practice is that you have to try everything the wrong way before you can do everything right. As D (woman running the farm) was leading me through the tour, there was a lot of, "and we hope this is going to work," or, "let's hope those will make it."

Throughout my environmental classes, we

path between two circles

touched briefly on permaculture but never had the time to delve into the details as much as I had hoped. Now I get to work in the midst of a growing permaculture farm! It is their first year on this land so everything is new and experimental. But my favorite part is that when you are weeding, you don't have to worry about putting the weeds into a wheelbarrow or burning them, you just
shake off all the dirt from the roots and place them in a little alcove between the other plants. The idea is that the soil will build a tolerance but until then, will benefit from the nutrients the decaying weeds provide. I'm not too convinced on that, but hey, no more wheelbarrow trips for me!
So today I cleared some of the paths of weeds, tried to fill in holes in the students' playing field, and trimmed these plants that are the devil himself. They are called burn nettles; great for making tea to increase the iron in your blood, but terrible for touching. I was warned of them, so I donned gloves, pants, and a long sleeve shirt. I was completely covered! Except for that little tiny space on my wrist between the gloves and sleeves. That was terrible. It burned for about an hour and faintly still stings, but all I have left to show of the ordeal are two tiny little red dots. Luckily I do not have to deal with that section again for the rest of the week. I have plenty of other fun things to do. AND...

THEY HAVE RABBITS!

I finally figured out how to format my pictures, so make sure you check out "Where the wild things grow" page for all the stuff that doesn't make it into these posts.

Goedenacht!