By Suzanne de Berge | President
From the forests of Guatemala, September 14, 2016 -- Although we continue to stress the fundamentals of nutrition and clean kitchens, the Seeds team is adding a new facet to our work with the families of rural Guatemala in the fight against malnutrition: the Casa-Granja.
The Casa-Granja concept (loosely translated as Backyard Farm) is based on producing a variety of foods using an integrated method where each component supports and complements the others. Garden trimmings are used to feed rabbits or chickens, manure from the protein animals is composted to improve the garden soil, enriched water from ponds used for raising Tilapia fish or ducks both irrigates and fertilizes the garden, and so forth.
While all of these food sources are familiar to the families, the Casa-Granja involves new ways of thinking about how to house and protect the birds and animals and how to plan their growing spaces to accommodate many food sources, including the vegetable garden and a variety of native fruit trees.
Your support has made it possible for the Seeds team to develop a palette of species that are well-adapted to local conditions, have good cultural acceptance and are high in nutritional value. With coaching from Seeds' local experts, families are able to produce a steady flow of nutritious food to their own table, and many are beginning to produce enough eggs or extra young chickens or rabbits to sell.
Your understanding and support have made it possible for the Seeds for a Future team to help these families achieve greater food security and balanced, better nutrition.
We are very excited that 72 families have successfully started their Casa-Granja, and we want to double this number in the next twelve months. Along with the 1000+ families which have already participated in our Family Garden and Nutrition programs, your support is truly making a difference in rural Guatemala!
There is still much to do, and with gratitude for your earlier support, we ask you to renew your commitment and financial support now, so we can continue to help the women and their families in the coming months.
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