Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[<pbunch@cox.net>]

We went to the Mercado Verde (Green Market) at the Botanical Gardens here in 
Medellin yesterday. This is a very good, if new and growing, farmers market. 
Lots of organic growers and folks producing alternative crops like quinoa, 
kawichi (Amaranth) yacon and others. Also a lot of educational outreach. 
Things like growing sprouts, gardening, using herbs for cooking and other 
purposes.

I was able to make contact with people who are growing some of the indigenous 
crops that are adapted to the higher elevations. Our finca is at 2400 meters 
and not all of the regular crops do well there. Also found some secondary 
contacts in the southern part of the country where some of these crops are 
still important pats of the diet.

The event is held monthly and was well attended. One of the vendors is 
developing an organic produce nucleus at one of the big urban market places 
(La America). This is a step forward as finding  high quality produce grown 
with sustainable methods is not easy here.

I should mention that the Botanical Garden is strongly promoting organic 
growing, composting, vermiculture, home gardening and other sustainable 
practices as well as more traditional conservation efforts.

Phil
Medellin/Piedras Blancas