One of Tay's Designs

This is an example of the type of stickers that Tay's been working on.  As part of their marketing campaign, we think it's important for them to let people know what makes their products unique.  One thing they want to start stressing is that their products are 100% organic.  Hence, the new label. 

By the way, you should check out this recent documentary on food in America.  Tay and I just watched it last week.  It was really well done--an Academy Aware nominee.  It talks about the corn industry, the meat industry, giant seed companies, organic farms, etc.  Pretty interesting stuff.  I wonder if any of the farmers in Goodland have had similar experiences with huge farming companies.  You can watch a trailer and learn more on their website @  http://www.foodincmovie.com/. 

Mandy Saves the Day

We were out taking pictures this morning and found that the door to one of the pig pens was broken . One of the new piglets had gotten out. We cornered it around the side of the barn and Mandy grabbed it. But, not before Chicle (the farm dog) lightly placed his teeth on the piglet's neck! The piglet was squealing in terror.... so was Mandy.

In the end, we secured the piglet and returned it to its hippo-sized mother. Close save.

A Wise Man Once Said

"How come we can't ever have just like a salad?"

Well it happened. We had a huge salad bar with beets, carrots, lettuce, cilantro, parsley, cabbage, and onions. It was amazing. We each had two huge plates of it along with our daily allotment of soup. Unfortunately, only the teacher table enjoyed the salad. None of the students ate any of it. They aren't accustomed to eating fresh vegetables and find the idea of them mixed together really gross. At the end of the meal, the professors gave a big lecture about eating healthily and how the students should be ashamed of themselves for wasting food.

Alas, I think our salad days are over for the duration of our stay.

Life on the Farm

We've spent the last few days trying to get to know the school, which is a little difficult when only one other person here speaks English.  Still, we've been able to see and figure out a lot.  I'm realizing that I know a lot more Spanish than I thought.

Students get up at 5:45 am (so early!) to clean their rooms and do other chores.  Then breakfast.  After that, half of the students go to class and half go to the farm.  Each week, students switch between regular classes and working the farm.  Other than a few hours of break after lunch, all of the students are pretty busy from about 8 am to 4 pm.  After school, students hang out with their friends, listening to music, playing soccer, or watching TV.  Dinner is at 8 pm, and everyone goes to bed by 9:45 pm.  They work hard in school, but they seem to enjoy themselves.  I think they all feel pretty lucky to be able to attend the school.

Taylor and I have now familiarized ourselves with the school, and though we aren't here to work on the farm, it's been fun to see bits and pieces of farm life.  Yesterday, we observed new cows being immunized and tested for diseases.  (Actually, I couldn't really watch much.  I hate shots, and these were the biggest needles I've ever seen.)  The school's method of farming is intense and completely organic, but the teachers here say that it's the most affordable way for the students to learn to farm...at least, in the long run.  They will save money by not buying chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and they won't have to keep moving every few years when the chemicals wear out their land.  I'm still not sure what I think, but it's cool that they can do so much without chemicals.

I am beginning to work on an English curriculum for the school, and Taylor and I have a meeting with the school's director on Monday to discuss the school's finances and marketing strategies.  Excellent.