International Permaculture Seminar at Finca El Peten – 08/08
Eighty-five agricultural engineers from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Columbia, Brazil and other parts of Centro America descended on Finca El Peten for a two week diplomado to hear the wisdom of Eugenio Grass, Jairo Restrepo, Sebastian Pinheiro, Chico Meza and our own Byron Corrales on the merits of Permaculture.
Our facility, designed for twenty guests in ten rooms, was put to the test, especially when the power went out day after day mid-course. We superceded with generators and with the help of the local church were able to accommodate everyone.
Participants were split into three groups to be schooled.
Eugenio oriented the engineers in the overall evaluation of the resources, attributes and deficiencies of the land including water retention (dam building), conservation, distribution and purification. Among other things he taught the fundamentals of topographical map-making, reading and sectors in designing the farm.
Sebastian, the chemist, enlightened all to the true structure of life on the planet and how things worked from the molecular to the particulate level. He taught how to make and read chromatogramos of one’s soil, eliminating the need for soil labs. These tools free the farmer from the NPK formula of modern agro-chemical dogma. He stressed the critical nature of our plight here on the planet and gave solid council on the necessary changes we all need to make.
Jairo showed them how to apply that information to make their own fertilizers (bocacci), mineral blocks, organic solutions and a whole host of other incredible practical applications of common sense solutions to organic farming. The presentations were all action packed, informative and all of them imparted humor throughout each session.
Of course the press showed up and immediately ave us up to the minute coverage, all positive, which precipitated the arrival of all kinds of representatives of various organizations including political candidates, Marena (EPA), Intur (tourist bureau) and other neighbors wishing to see what all the fuss was about. We accommodated all comers with a tour of the farm, interviews of the participants and presenters and even a ride on the lake in Celeste, our surf and ski boat. They were all duly impressed!
It all ended with a bangup barbeque of three pelibueys (goat/sheep cross) I brought from from Finca las Nubes where everyone got a chance to party down. They took full advantage!
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