🌽Hacking a farm
For the final assignment we had to choose one farm in the world... any farm. In the end me and Javi choose to work with this small organic farm in Guatemala called Caoba Farms. With this farm in mind we needed to identify what was wrong with it (or on what could it improve upon). This resulted in a bit of a challenge for us, since at first sight it seemed like this farm was doing everything in it's power to be very ecological, regenerative and socially conscious. It had everything: rain collection systems, animal farms, local composting initiatives, it used its own organic pesticides, they even had bee colonies.
In the end, with the help of Jonathan we identifies what could they could improve upon. Since the farms main income channel was lettuce commerce, that was what they were maximizing and focusing on. It was a traditional farm. However they left a lot of blak space in between their crops, this results in wasted land. What we propose is the implementation of the technique of the Three sisters, in which the land used for crops in planted with 3 different species which would mutually benefit eachother greatly. In the case of lettuce, the 2 other species that can work in a symbiotic relationship would be carrots and peas. To illustrate this solution we decided to work on a children's story to communicate this agriculture technique that could be better known throught the world.
On a sunny morning at Caoba Farms, where the air smells of fresh earth and the trees sing with the chirps of birds, three little seeds lay side by side. “We’re going to grow big and strong!” said Lettuce Lucia, twirling her green leaves proudly. “But we’ll need to help each other,” said Zara the Carrot, stretching her roots deeper into the soil. “And together, we’ll make this farm thrive!” chimed in Beany the Bean, climbing a nearby trellis.
The three friends looked around the farm. Some crops were droopy, and the soil was tired. The farmers were worried. “The farm isn’t growing like it used to,” said Lucia sadly. “We need to do something to help!” said Zara, her root twitching with determination. “I’ve heard stories of how plants like us can work together,” said Beany, her tendrils pointing at the sky.
Lucia explained, “I can grow quickly and cover the soil, keeping it cool and moist!” “And I can dig deep with my roots, making the soil soft for everyone,” added Zara. “I’ll climb high and bring nitrogen to the soil to make it rich!” said Beany proudly. Together, they devised a plan to grow side by side, just like the ancient “Three Sisters.”
The farmers planted the three sisters together. Lucia spread her leaves like a blanket, Zara pushed her roots down deep, and Beany’s vines wrapped around a tall stick, reaching for the sun. Before long, the soil was healthier, the pests stayed away, and the farm flourished with life.
The farmers were overjoyed. “We’ll never grow plants alone again!” they said. The children on the farm learned the story of the Three Sisters and promised to carry on the tradition. “We did it!” said Lucia. “Together, we’re unstoppable!” added Zara. “And the farm will always have friends like us to keep it alive,” Beany said with a happy wiggle.
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