Help expand "Young Smart Farmers" organic gardens

Although the rainy season has ended, we're still experiencing sporadic showers that continue to benefit our fields. We've had to deal with some bugs in our eggplant field, but thanks to biochar in the soil and an organic pest repellent made from chili peppers, we've been able to enjoy an abundance of fresh produce. Our basil plants are thriving, giving us delicious pesto, and our colorful lettuce varieties, pumpkins (both savory and sweet), have been a delightful addition to our salads.

After careful coordination through phone calls and messages, the Chiang Mai DHL delivery company office staff paid us a whirlwind visit. They assisted our children and staff in planting rows of vibrant green seedlings and delivered 30 laying chickens. These chickens have settled in well and have already begun laying eggs, despite the chilly late fall nights.

Our chicken journey has been quite an adventure. Our previous batch of laying chickens had reached the end of their productive years, and we were in search of a new set. This happened during the later stages of the COVID lockdowns. We managed to avoid avian and swine flu by selling our pigs and chickens before any health issues could arise.

This summer we decided it was time to replace our chicken flock. The replacement chickens we ordered unfortunately didn't survive leaving  the farm we were buying them from. The weather changes, particularly the excessive rain, were not conducive to their well-being, so we opted to wait. 

We were meticulous in ensuring the safety of the next batch of chickens before bringing them here. Thanks to the diligent efforts of the DHL staff, our new feathered residents are content in their new environment and are laying eggs..

Our children played a significant role in building new compost heaps and preparing new plots for planting. The soil was primed for the new seedlings, and both children and staff have been working on an efficient watering system. 

They've been brainstorming ways to keep water accessible near the fields without attracting mosquitoes and devising a method to transport it to the vegetable beds without extensive piping. They've been resourceful, using recycled plastic drums to store water for easy refilling of their watering cans.

While we hope to eventually install a drip irrigation system, it has proven to be a more complex and costly endeavor than initially anticipated. In the meantime, the children collaborate to ensure the fields receive adequate hydration, resulting in a bountiful harvest.

Our next project report on the rain catchment system will provide an update on how this project is going. The rains have slightly delayed the next phase of our construction plans, but we're prepared to resume work next week.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season and a joyful New Year!

Thank you for your enthusiastic support of this wonderful program!

Dana, Michael, Evelind, and the Warm Heart Family.