Great Greens

2009 Wish List

ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPLIES – fax machine, copier, paper
BACK-UP GENERATOR for multi-use corral
CAGES – to expand matrimonial area of rabbitry
DRILL
ELECTRICAL – various wiring improvements at the Eco Center
FIVE ROLLS OF IRRIGATION DRIP TAPE ($3.100 pesos per roll and rising)
GREENHOUSE FUND
HIGH WIRE – coiled barbed wire to secure our perimeters
I-POD with attachments for making presentations
JELLY, JAM & PRESERVES SUPPLIES – steamers, sealers, jars and lids
KITCHEN AREA UPGRADE for processing preserves
LAPTOP AND PROJECTOR SOFTWARE FOR PRESENTATIONS
METAL BAKERS RACKS AND WOOD FOR SHELVES (5)
NYLON SHADE CLOTH REPLACEMENT
OVERHEAD LIGHTING FOR ORGANIC MARKET STORE
PRESSURE WASHERS
QUIMICO SAFETY MANUALS FOR TRAINING WORKSHOPS
RE-SEALABLE BAGS
SEED STORAGE – SEALABLE PLASTIC CONTAINERS
TRACTOR IMPLEMENTS $8,000 PESOs
UPGRADE of corral by adding roofing
VACUUM SEALING MACHINE WITH PLASTIC
WIRELESS INTERNET CONNECTION AT ECO CENTER
XTRA GLOVES FOR ECO DISCOVERY DAYS ( SMALL SIZES)
YEARLY MEMBERSHIP - DO YOU HAVE YOURS?
ZEALOUS VOLUNTEERS to take on small jobs at the organic market in Jaltepec (deliveries, watering, weeding, writing or working at the Eco Center) 

Planting for the Future

By Judy Baehr

For people in the Lake Chapala area of Mexico south of Guadalajara who want fresh, locally-grown organic produce, Wendee Hill and Marie Pruden are the people who supply their needs. Their organic farm grows the Great Greens sold at the Lake Chapala Society, as well as at area grocery stores. Many Lakesiders have found their way out to Jaltepec to tour the farm and buy produce, herbs and plants in their store. And every October, their Harvest Fair draws hundreds of people eager for fresh corn on the cob, exhibits, live music, and food and drink. ACÁ," which stands for Asociacion Comunitaria de Autosuficiencia A.C., But their organization is much more than an organic farm.

Why Sponsor a Student?

Self-sufficiency and sustainable development

Here is what one of our students has to say:

By Connie Kuo
ACÁ Student Intern

One of the most important ideas I learned during my stay is the value of education. ACÁ is a success story of how education of organic farming techniques can instigate a global change beginning at the local level. Wendee Hill and Marie Pruden are true pioneers of sustainable development.

Speaking with Marie about what she does and how she got there, I immediately thought of a book we recently for class: Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World by Alan Weisman.

Out of the Deep Winter

By Judy Baehr

It's January in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada: Deep winter. Not a Winnie-the-Pooh winter, where you can be cozy in a warm hole in a tree, but arctic winter.

Outside at Yellowknife, no life stirs. No sun appears and no sound is heard from any creature. For four months the ground has been asleep under a cover of ice, and for four more months it will continue to sleep before the sun warms and melts the ice.