Vegetables to market: 550 kg
Expansion of the fields continues. The fence is keeping the cows out, but not thieves. Irrigation pipes have been cut in the middle of the night, so they will need to be replaced. Keeping the irrigation running is difficult, and at the moment the system is currently running on the spare pump and engine with no backup available. Plans to source local pumps have not yet solved the problem. We may have to ship a new backup from the USA. The new access road is finished and gated. We are hoping it holds up when wet weather returns next year.
Vegetables to market: 1,375 kg
With the new fence completed our attention has turned to expanding the fields and planting on weekly schedule. Field 2 has been plowed and bedded, so now new irrigation needs to be laid out for the field. Field 3 is still under construction. The existing ditches have been cleaned out with a backhoe, and ditch extension to the new fields is underway.
Vegetables to market: 0 kg
Three days with the team, we made plans for the coming year, including a proposed budget and monthly production goal. It is our highest priority to bring consistent production up to 3000KG a month as soon as possible. Field 1 is ready for planting, field 2 preparation underway. The team has 2.5 hectares or approximately 6 acres.
Vegetables to market: 0 kg
Fencing is finished, but the new gates are not yet hung. The new entrance is just West of the Freedom bridge. The existing field 0 has some trials growing but the rest of the farm is dormant. The Red tractor is out of service again, fuel issues. David traveled from Uganda and brought it back to life. Bert and Scott arrived on 30 September.
Vegetables to market: 421 kg
The improvements are almost complete, work continues on the fence, and the remainder of the fenced property is being plowed and prepped for a cover crop. The office generator is on its last legs so the office was upgraded with a locally sourced solar power system.
Vegetables to market: 749 kg
The rains continue to come, which saves money in irrigation
costs, but certainly extracts a price in other ways. Construction of the new road/entrance took a downward turn(literally) when the heavy machinery began moving dirt. The wheeled loader quickly sunk into the wet earth and it took some effort to get it out. Lots of gravel and good drainage will be needed to build the road through here!
Vegetables to market: 2,290 kg
Work continues in preparation for the coming dry season. New fields are being built, the fence repair has begun, and the team continues to work with the community regarding lease payments and land improvements. The fields are growing, new harvest is on the way. There is no better teacher than real hands on farm business. It is our continued work to not only teach good farming practice, but to model it by doing it every day!
Vegetables to market: 1,148 kg
The farm has a new lease! The team formally signed the agreement on the 5th of May. This has been a long and difficult process, but we can now focus on growing and teaching instead of moving. The mood is vastly improved, and the farm shows it. Now for a new entrance and fencing to protect the fields from the cattle that roam the Gumbo area. The red tractor is again operational thanks to David, an excellent mechanic who travels to the farm from neighboring Uganda to provide service.
Vegetables to market: 518 kg
Friendly communication with the community continues, the lease agreement continues to be refined, new fences must be built to protect the fields from animals and give back two parcels of property to community members who do not want to be part of the new lease agreement. The red tractor is down again. It seems the fuel system is in need of serious repair. The team rebuilt the greenhouse this month, stabilizing the hoop structure with concrete footings.
Vegetables to market: 319 kg
The community and team have tentatively agreed to the terms for a seven year lease agreement. We are hopeful that this can be our home. The team has done an excellent job of reaching out to the community! Please pray for the community, the team, and the two lawyers handling the negotiations.
Vegetables to market: 179 kg
Field turnover is still difficult. The team is working to create more space. Hillary found some irrigation repair parts in Juba, saving the time and money to ship parts from the USA. The search for new land continues up and down the Nile river. The team located a small tract of land, but after some consideration, it was deemed to small at 11 acres. The community where we currently reside has made some indications they might want the farm to stay. Pray that it could be!
Vegetables to market: 1,228 kg
So for you Americans out there, that is 1.35 tons of vegetables picked-this-morning goodness off to the market this month! Congratulations team and keep growing.
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