|
|
Post by silverseeds on Aug 8, 2009 3:00:34 GMT -5
My wife is a teacher starting pretty soon here. One thing her school doe sseperate from her regular class, is the teachers each pick a subject and they choos which kids to put with each teacher. This subject they will research on their own, and try to help the kids choosen to be with them to lern this subject throughout the years they attend the school. My wife picked seeds. The principal seemed VERY happy, and said none of the other teachers picked it before, and she knew just the kids to put with my wife. Which is kids whose family the principal knows grow things. hese are almost all navajo kids. So shes going to teach basic plant breeding, to give hem an understanding of what goes into a seed, and what it carries inside it. Basic stuff. But Im curious if any of you have ideas.... Also theres ACRES behind the school, the princpal wants ME to plant apparently. I have no idea what the soil is like. It can vary a lot here, could be sand, could be heavy clay, could be this silty owdery clay stuff. But its dry. Not sure what she would intend for irrigation. But any preliminary ideas on either subject would be appreciated..... Also is it wrong to try to get her over time to get these kids to bring in their ancient seeds?  |
|
|
|
Post by elkwc36 on Aug 8, 2009 3:38:34 GMT -5
Zac,
First water availability will determine what you can do and on what scale. We have just finished a construction project here. The electrical contractors employees all Navajo Indians from the NM, Arizona and possibly Utah areas. They are out of Farmington. I have talked to them about seeds of peppers,corn ect. Most I've talked to have farmed and raised crops and their families still do. Very interesting to talk to them. The one said they grow red, blue and white corn and keep them separate and use them in their ceremonies I guess. And they sell the extra produce after they keep what they need. So I know there have seeds and save seeds. Not sure if these are real old varieties or not. I would think the corn might be. I have been very impressed with them. They are supposed to be coming back. Hopefully they might bring me a few seeds. I forgot to ask them about beans. I'm sure most grow beans and probably have bean varieties. I also think this is part of their lively hood. Hearing about their lives opens your eyes to the conditions on the reservations. Hearing how far they walked to catch a bus, ect. We have used this contractor twice in the last year on fair sized projects and very impressed with them. And will be if your wife isn't also. And these youth may have a good idea what it takes to garden in that area. Jay
|
|
|
|
Post by silverseeds on Aug 8, 2009 3:42:49 GMT -5
hard to say how much the kids might be involved in the gardens and farms, these are grade schoolers. I dont know what the principal plans for the land yet, My guess is though irrigation would be minimal unless shes got a mile long hose or something....
|
|
|
|
Post by elkwc36 on Aug 8, 2009 7:43:30 GMT -5
I wasn't sure of the age. I know one of these men told me he either worked in the garden or herding their livestock while growing up. The stories they tell if asked just makes you realize how nice most of us have it and don't appreciate it. Without irrigation or some sort I imagine she might be limited in what she can grow. I know all of these say they irrigate from various sources. Most from canals. Jay
|
|
|
|
Post by mnjrutherford on Aug 8, 2009 8:14:48 GMT -5
Regarding their family seeds, I would say that if you give to them and have patience, they will give back to you. Talks about seed trading should be a part of the course but closer towards the end of the school year as part of the business aspect of growing. Awesome task laid before your beloved here. You should be very grateful!
Do you guys have kids of your own?
|
|
|
|
Post by silverseeds on Aug 8, 2009 8:52:18 GMT -5
Yes one of the wildest 2.5 years old I ever met.....
|
|
|
|
Post by paquebot on Aug 8, 2009 12:41:52 GMT -5
One thing that I've noticed about school involvement in gardening is the very short interest. Three different schools have rented plots in our community gardens during the 5 years that I've been with it. Most of the time there are a dozen or so who show up to plant and that's the last we see of anybody. By late June, they are mowed since all that remains visible are grass and weeds. One that did almost work several years ago was when each child was assigned a week to tend to it. That turned out to usually be a parent who didn't know a pepper plant from a marigold. Another gives the appearance of working this year but it's because of the teacher coming alone and doing all of the work.
Martin
|
|
|
|
Post by mnjrutherford on Aug 8, 2009 13:23:43 GMT -5
Good luck Zac! You are gonna need it!
Martin, I think that for most schools you are right on target. Poor planning, implementation, interest, and follow through. So typical of our time and place.
On a positive note; however, Zac's wife has some good things going for their project:
1. It's on school grounds so traveling to an allotment is not required. Makes it MUCH easier to incorporate into a daily curriculum.
2. The area and the people are much closer to their agricultural history than the major portion of the population.
3. Several of the families continue in agriculture to this day.
If any school program has a chance of survival and success, this one is probably it. I sure do hope so!
|
|
|
|
Post by silverseeds on Aug 8, 2009 14:22:31 GMT -5
Well the acres, she wasnt explained what exactly its for, just thast, it exists, and the principal would like me to plant it.
As for the seeds, the idea is to leave these kids by the end of their grade school with a complete understanding of something. This is not graded, and has nothing to do with other work. No tests or homework. Just interaction and knowledge.
I guess I should have waited until I knew more toask for ideas......
|
|
|
|
Post by robertb on Aug 8, 2009 17:48:21 GMT -5
School allotments are currently popular in the UK. A lot of primary schools have started small beds, and a local secondary school has a plot on my site, which is working extremely well.
|
|
|
|
Post by mnjrutherford on Aug 8, 2009 18:01:26 GMT -5
Well Robert, in the UK you got a big advantage over us yanks because most (not all thank goodness!) of us don't know how to walk.
Zac, NEVER wait for ideas! ::laughing:: ESPECIALLY when you got kids and gardens happening!
|
|
|
|
Post by paquebot on Aug 10, 2009 12:19:16 GMT -5
School property or elsewhere, same situation. Garden is planted in April and May. Children on vacation through June, July, and August. Our school indeed did have one complete with a greenhouse. Discontinued due to lack of summer interest.
Martin
|
|
|
|
Post by PatrickW on Aug 11, 2009 6:33:36 GMT -5
I really think there's a lot of potential here, but without knowing very much about your climate and ecosystems, it's hard to be very specific.
If I were you, I would try to get drought tolerant perennial plants established, and while I'm sure there will be lots of work to do, you should try to get plants to grow in a sustainable way without the need for inputs or lots of work, and it would be a lot less work in the long run. Then you have less worry for the summer slump in interest.
You might start by researching native plants in your area, and trying to plant these. You might also look for some nitrogen fixing bushes or trees, again preferably native, as a way to start improving the soil.
By coincidence, I've just been talking with Tim Peters about perennial sorghum. The space might also be well suited to other perennial grains. One of his varieties of sorghum is called M6-1, anyway you might look into that. Sorghum seed can be used as a corn substitute, and the canes can be pressed for sugar or syrup.
Many trees are drought tolerant because they have long tap roots, and these will also bring nutrients to the surface. One tree like this I know is Pinus Pinea (a pine nut tree), and you could probably score some seeds for something like this from people here.
If you plant this kind of thing, drought tolerant perennial plants, once it becomes established it will be a lot less work to maintain.
If you are allowed to put any structures on the land, or even maybe a concrete slab (or even plastic?) on the ground, consider collecting rainwater for irrigation. I think you could easily get enough this way to irrigate a few beds of 'traditional veggies'.
|
|
|
|
Post by robertb on Aug 11, 2009 7:07:13 GMT -5
It's a question of planning crops round the school holidays. Someone needs to be on hand to weed etc. over the holidays. you can grow crops like new potatoes which crop before the holiday, or winter squash, which crops after. The school plot on our site is used by science and art classes as well as for gardening.
|
|
|
|
Post by silverseeds on Aug 11, 2009 7:30:09 GMT -5
Ive got a few pounds of pine nut treees actually. I wasnt thinking perennials at all. So that is certainly leading me other ideas. I believe honey locust is nitrogen fixing.
I dont intend to spend my summers doing this since I have my own cares in that regard, so various other berry and fruit trees native to this area I think could work into that well. and offer an establised food source.
Then theres the old staples for this area, sand dropseed, and indian rice grass. Those together are the basic compnents of a decent diet.
I could also establish many types of wildflowers. Maybe some prikly pear cactus, its fruits healthy and tasty although seedy.
Then from there depending on interest I could branch it off into other annuals. Kusa has some grains Im very interested in. And by the end of next season I should have various types of other veggies singled out for this area.
Yeah I think perennials are the way to go.
Turn the ancient diet from this area into a purposeful garden. I like that thought alot. Its very workable too. Theres many bushes and trees Im aware of. If interests grows and involvement is strong, I can share all the annual seeds Ive singled out as the best producers. Yep I think thats it.
This way even if noone stays involved through the summer, they could have a workable area producing harvests, anyway, also teaching about native fauna, and even permaculture.
I like that so much even if the principal wants more contemporary things, I think I will use the perennials grasses as accents. and throw in the nut trees and berry bushes on the side as well.
|
|
