Now it is time to reveal the true ignorance of youth. Granted, I doubt that this lack of knowledge is limited to adolescents. Some of the students in my group had trouble identifying all of the countries featured in our global village. They are:
Kenya,
Poland,
Guatemala,
China,
Thailand,
Peru,
and (drum roll please)
the United States!
Needless to say, I was shocked.
I would also like to take a moment to address Mimi's question about grocery prices. I know very little about agricultural policy. However, I imagine that the rise in food prices has to do with government subsidies and fuel costs. Locally grown produce is beneficial because it does not need to be shipped on a plane. Does anyone else know the answer? Feel free to chime in on the comments page.
This post's trivia tidbit is going to take us to distant coffee fields.
Antigone Wanders's Sixth Trivia Tidbit
What color are coffee beans before they are roasted?
And now, the news from the farm:
One of the best parts of the farm is the absence of traditional gender roles. Half of the education volunteers are male, and the majority of the farm hands are female. On Friday I had to suffer for my equality. This weekend we are having a harvest festival. Thousands of visitors are coming to walk through the global village and sample our produce. Another lady farm hand and I had to set up all of the furniture in the global village. We found 6 sandwich boards, 17 tables, and 30 chairs, loaded them onto a pick-up truck, and dropped them off at different sites. My proudest moment came when I had to drive the pick-up truck backwards down a winding, rock-strewn forest path that was as wide as the vehicle.* Moving all of the furniture made me feel very accomplished.
*Thanks is given to my parents for owning homes with ridiculous driveways. At my father's house, I have to back out of a garage and turn 100 degrees so that I can go up a hill with a 35-40 degree incline. As an added challenge, I need to make sure that I do not go over the cliff located across from the garage. At my mom's house, I need to turn around a tree without hitting a second car parked at the back of the driveway, and then back out without hitting the wall or the lines of rocks randomly placed on either side of my path.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
Why Everyone Needs to Spend Time On An Organic Farm
Thank you for all of your responses. I was happy to see a crowded comment section. The answer that I was looking for was satyagraha. However, “passive resistance” is an acceptable English translation (even though the movie Gandhi said that his resistance was not passive, just peaceful).
Antigone Wanders’s Fifth Trivia Tidbit:
This week I led educational programming for seventh graders. At one point, I asked my students to tell me where countries that we had discussed were located on a world map. They simply had to choose the correct continent and identify the general region where each country was located. I would like you to guess which countries students had trouble locating.
And now the news from the farm:
Today, I had an extremely relaxing day-off. If I were not ambitious, a day like today would have motivated me to spend the rest of my life on an organic farm. Here is what I did:
Last night:
I danced in a pasture until 1 am.
This morning:
I started to read Candide by Voltaire. Then I watched the movie Elizabeth.
Lunchtime:
I went to the garden and picked fresh onions, tomatoes, and grapes. Afterwards, I used my harvest and fresh garlic and basil to make pasta sauce.
This afternoon:
I discussed regional attitudes towards education with my housemates. Then I went on a long bike ride. While I was biking, I discovered a trail in the forest. I followed the trail until I came upon a stream. I wanted to follow the trail, but I felt like I had to continue my bike ride. Then I remember that I had no plans for the rest of the day. I could follow any trail I wanted as long as I had enough energy.
This evening:
I went to a grocery store, a buffalo farm, and a Chinese restaurant.
Antigone Wanders’s Fifth Trivia Tidbit:
This week I led educational programming for seventh graders. At one point, I asked my students to tell me where countries that we had discussed were located on a world map. They simply had to choose the correct continent and identify the general region where each country was located. I would like you to guess which countries students had trouble locating.
And now the news from the farm:
Today, I had an extremely relaxing day-off. If I were not ambitious, a day like today would have motivated me to spend the rest of my life on an organic farm. Here is what I did:
Last night:
I danced in a pasture until 1 am.
This morning:
I started to read Candide by Voltaire. Then I watched the movie Elizabeth.
Lunchtime:
I went to the garden and picked fresh onions, tomatoes, and grapes. Afterwards, I used my harvest and fresh garlic and basil to make pasta sauce.
This afternoon:
I discussed regional attitudes towards education with my housemates. Then I went on a long bike ride. While I was biking, I discovered a trail in the forest. I followed the trail until I came upon a stream. I wanted to follow the trail, but I felt like I had to continue my bike ride. Then I remember that I had no plans for the rest of the day. I could follow any trail I wanted as long as I had enough energy.
This evening:
I went to a grocery store, a buffalo farm, and a Chinese restaurant.
Monday, September 17, 2007
My Wacky Idea
I would like to thank Bob for being the only person who responded to my last tidbit. It is nice to know that someone still cares, even though he does it in a belligerent manner. The correct answer is females. Girls and women account for up to 70% of the world’s impoverished.
Now it is time for a fourth tidbit. Hopefully more people will answer.
Antigone Wanders’s Fourth Trivia Tidbit
Last night I watched the movie Gandhi. Mohandas K. Gandhi was concerned by British attempts to suppress Indian economic development. What type of resistance did Gandhi utilize? I’m looking for a specific word. You get bonus points if you can name an event that exemplifies this philosophy.
Now I would like to tell you all about my latest gap year idea.
My favorite thing about my gap year is the freedom. The world is my oyster. I can read, travel, farm, and do almost anything that strikes my fancy. I can throw my plans out of the window and create a new future from scratch. This weekend, I discovered Bike and Build (http://www.bikeandbuild.org), a potential twist for my whimsical gap year path. Bike and Build participants are college students who spend the summer biking from the East Coast to the West Coast. Along the way, they stop at Habitat for Humanity projects and lend a hand. I want to do Bike and Build. I have always had a secret dream of biking across the country, and I would not mind adding power tools to the adventure. The only catch is I would have to raise over $4000. Does anyone have creative fundraising ideas?
Now it is time for a fourth tidbit. Hopefully more people will answer.
Antigone Wanders’s Fourth Trivia Tidbit
Last night I watched the movie Gandhi. Mohandas K. Gandhi was concerned by British attempts to suppress Indian economic development. What type of resistance did Gandhi utilize? I’m looking for a specific word. You get bonus points if you can name an event that exemplifies this philosophy.
Now I would like to tell you all about my latest gap year idea.
My favorite thing about my gap year is the freedom. The world is my oyster. I can read, travel, farm, and do almost anything that strikes my fancy. I can throw my plans out of the window and create a new future from scratch. This weekend, I discovered Bike and Build (http://www.bikeandbuild.org), a potential twist for my whimsical gap year path. Bike and Build participants are college students who spend the summer biking from the East Coast to the West Coast. Along the way, they stop at Habitat for Humanity projects and lend a hand. I want to do Bike and Build. I have always had a secret dream of biking across the country, and I would not mind adding power tools to the adventure. The only catch is I would have to raise over $4000. Does anyone have creative fundraising ideas?
Friday, September 14, 2007
Life and Death
I am not giving you a new trivia tidbit because I posted one last night. However, I would like to report some exciting news. Today, our cow Nicole gave birth. She produced a healthy, female, pure-bred Jersey calf named Mabel. The birth was eagerly anticipated. The entire farm staff had spent 30 minutes staring at a cow's butt, growing depressed each time it spurted poop instead of a cute baby animal.
Afterwards we processed 45 chickens. I apparently impressed the livestock coordinator with my mad skills. I may have a future in bird slaughter.
By the way, I would like to apologize for not recognizing all of the parties who produced correct answers to the last trivia tidbit (Bob). I will try not to do it again. Maybe I should follow businesses and schools' strategy for managing members of the Millenial generation: Give every individual an award to their contribution. To quote Barney the Dinosaur, "Everyone is special / Everyone in his or her own special way!"
Afterwards we processed 45 chickens. I apparently impressed the livestock coordinator with my mad skills. I may have a future in bird slaughter.
By the way, I would like to apologize for not recognizing all of the parties who produced correct answers to the last trivia tidbit (Bob). I will try not to do it again. Maybe I should follow businesses and schools' strategy for managing members of the Millenial generation: Give every individual an award to their contribution. To quote Barney the Dinosaur, "Everyone is special / Everyone in his or her own special way!"
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Animal Farm
Dad had the answer that I was thinking of. Chicken feces are known for their high nitrogen content. That being said, I was impressed by all of the different interpretations of “best.” I especially enjoyed Uncle David’s answer. Animals defecate a lot, making tidy feces desirable.
Antigone Wanders’s Third Trivia Tidbit
Enough about poop. Today I am going to shift gears. Which single demographic accounts for up to 70% of the world’s impoverished?
And now, the news from the farm:
Animals keep rural life exciting. They often do not do what you want them to do. Case and point: On Tuesday, the cows broke their fence and charged into the garden right before the farm staff was supposed to hold a moment of silence for the victims of September 11. Chaos ensued as humans chased cattle, cattle walked into fences, and walkie-talkie voices argued about whether or not it was possible to pause the commotion to memorialize 9/11.
Unfortunately, not all animal surprises are that comical. Livestock unexpectedly become sick or injured. Sometimes you are able to nurse the creatures back to health (e.g. the guinea pig and motherless ducklings in my living room). Other times, you need to put them out of their misery. This week, a flock of fowl (the kosher king broilers) became cannibalistic. Whoever gave them fresh water and food inevitably returned with birds who had flesh and feathers gouged out of their backs and wings. We killed two birds on Sunday and processed three on Monday. Tomorrow, we are going to process the rest.
Antigone Wanders’s Third Trivia Tidbit
Enough about poop. Today I am going to shift gears. Which single demographic accounts for up to 70% of the world’s impoverished?
And now, the news from the farm:
Animals keep rural life exciting. They often do not do what you want them to do. Case and point: On Tuesday, the cows broke their fence and charged into the garden right before the farm staff was supposed to hold a moment of silence for the victims of September 11. Chaos ensued as humans chased cattle, cattle walked into fences, and walkie-talkie voices argued about whether or not it was possible to pause the commotion to memorialize 9/11.
Unfortunately, not all animal surprises are that comical. Livestock unexpectedly become sick or injured. Sometimes you are able to nurse the creatures back to health (e.g. the guinea pig and motherless ducklings in my living room). Other times, you need to put them out of their misery. This week, a flock of fowl (the kosher king broilers) became cannibalistic. Whoever gave them fresh water and food inevitably returned with birds who had flesh and feathers gouged out of their backs and wings. We killed two birds on Sunday and processed three on Monday. Tomorrow, we are going to process the rest.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Bicycle, Bicycle
Thank you all for answering my poopy question. I think that you have identified all of the conventional uses of manure. However, if given more time, I am sure that you could come up with more wacky ideas. In my opinion, the most interesting practical use for manure is fuel. Feces have a very high methane content. In Tibet, nomads cook food over burning yak excrement. On the farm, it is too humid to dry yak feces (someone has actually tried). Instead, we have a machine that extracts methane from manure (granted, it is currently broken). All of the methane created by livestock has begun to concern environmentalists. According to the UN, the cattle industry releases more greenhouse gases every year than all cars combined.
Antigone Wanders’s Second Trivia Tidbit
I think that I am going to continue with the manure theme. Feces are very nutrient rich. They are great fertilizer. Which farm animal excretes the best fertilizer? You get bonus points if you also know why.
And now the news from the farm:
I am a very independent person. When my ten housemates dragged their feet about going grocery shopping, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I could not spend another day without milk, fruit, or bread. After I Rand McNallied directions to the nearest supermarket, I hopped on my bike to find food.
Having lived in New Jersey, a state filled with hills, I expected an easy ride. It did not take long to remember that I had moved to a mountain range. I felt like Sisyphus. Every time I reached the crest of a hill, I discovered a new, steep incline.
After I overcame my assent-induced shock, I began to enjoy my ride. What goes up must come down. Every foot I pedaled up was another foot that I would get to whiz through at the end of my ride. I cheered myself up the mountain. At the top, I gave into gravity and sped downwards with the wind blowing in my hair.
Antigone Wanders’s Second Trivia Tidbit
I think that I am going to continue with the manure theme. Feces are very nutrient rich. They are great fertilizer. Which farm animal excretes the best fertilizer? You get bonus points if you also know why.
And now the news from the farm:
I am a very independent person. When my ten housemates dragged their feet about going grocery shopping, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I could not spend another day without milk, fruit, or bread. After I Rand McNallied directions to the nearest supermarket, I hopped on my bike to find food.
Having lived in New Jersey, a state filled with hills, I expected an easy ride. It did not take long to remember that I had moved to a mountain range. I felt like Sisyphus. Every time I reached the crest of a hill, I discovered a new, steep incline.
After I overcame my assent-induced shock, I began to enjoy my ride. What goes up must come down. Every foot I pedaled up was another foot that I would get to whiz through at the end of my ride. I cheered myself up the mountain. At the top, I gave into gravity and sped downwards with the wind blowing in my hair.
Monday, September 3, 2007
The First 24 Hours
Even though I arrived at the farm yesterday, I have already had at least six new experiences. I:
1. ate freshly picked grapes,
2. milked goats,
3. herded sheep,
4. cooked a traditional Akha meal over a fire in Thailand,*
5. fed water buffalo, and
6. met a camel named “Abu.”
Living on the farm is very enjoyable. All of my work and activities happen on site. I do not need to worry about coordinating my schedule with work, school, or extracurricular activities. I am simply expected to work hard and go with the flow. The people are extremely refreshing. No one asks where I go to college or what my SAT score is. They care more about social responsibility, organic food, and good conversation. I think that I am going to be happy here.
Since the purpose of the farm is to teach visitors about global poverty and sustainable development, I am going to try to include information that I acquire in training and on the job in my blog. I intend to conclude each post with a trivia question. Post all answers and wild guesses as comments.
Antigone Wanders’s First Trivia Tidbit:
What are beneficial uses for manure?
*The farm includes a global village with models of homes in Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Tibet, Thailand, and Appalachia. They are adding replicas of homes in Kenya, India, and Poland.
1. ate freshly picked grapes,
2. milked goats,
3. herded sheep,
4. cooked a traditional Akha meal over a fire in Thailand,*
5. fed water buffalo, and
6. met a camel named “Abu.”
Living on the farm is very enjoyable. All of my work and activities happen on site. I do not need to worry about coordinating my schedule with work, school, or extracurricular activities. I am simply expected to work hard and go with the flow. The people are extremely refreshing. No one asks where I go to college or what my SAT score is. They care more about social responsibility, organic food, and good conversation. I think that I am going to be happy here.
Since the purpose of the farm is to teach visitors about global poverty and sustainable development, I am going to try to include information that I acquire in training and on the job in my blog. I intend to conclude each post with a trivia question. Post all answers and wild guesses as comments.
Antigone Wanders’s First Trivia Tidbit:
What are beneficial uses for manure?
*The farm includes a global village with models of homes in Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Tibet, Thailand, and Appalachia. They are adding replicas of homes in Kenya, India, and Poland.
