Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Lessons Learned

We recently had to uproot several of the yellow squash portions in one of the main multicropping trials that we are running, the three sisters trial.  The decision was made due to mold infestation that was affecting their productivity.  While the variety was becoming popular, its vulnerability to disease made it a poor choice for the Jordan Valley.  Next season, we will integrate a locally available zucchini variety to replace yellow squash.  We also noted that we would do well to plant corn a few weeks before the climbing beans as the beans tend to outgrow the corn in the early days after germination.

Armed with some local knowledge, we believe that the 3 sisters concept of providing shade, nitrogen fixation and multiple layers of growth will be very successful in the Jordan Valley.

3 Sisters Trial - Mid Winter

 

Success with Tomatoes

Several neighbors have inquired about our protected tomato trials.  We took pains in the early season to build mounded lines in our greenhouses (a best management practice not commonly used in our area) and to plant our tomatoes while the weather was still very warm, another uncommon practice.  Because of our early season planning our indoor crop is the first in our area to ripen and would almost certainly have hit the local market before competitors.  Early to market means higher prices.  The lesson to farmers from this trial has been well received, "early season planning yields significant dividends."

Protected tomato trials as they begin to ripen

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

More Variety - Better Nutrition

The demonstration farm is now producing at roughly half capacity.  Cucumbers, zuchinni, sweet peppers and eggplant are all being picked regularly and packaged to be sent to refugee families all over northern Jordan.  Currently over 300 families are being served through this initiative.  Farmers are regularly visiting our fields to ask about our methodologies and varieties and we will host our first farmer field day before the beginning of 2015 to introduce the community to our work in greater detail and to facilitate a broader set of relationships within the Jordan Valley. 


An average box of produce being given to refugee families. 


Our last delivery before it was loaded for delivery.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Developing Capacity

The demonstration farm is currently producing over 3,000kg of vegetables per week and our partners in the cities of Mafraq and Zarqa are distributing to over 250 families.  In the coming weeks we will begin producing from the greenhouses which will significantly enhance output.  We will also be hosting our first farmer field day in the coming weeks.

Greenhouse tomatoes










Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Preparing to Produce . . .

The stage is set for AC4Ds trial and demo farm to begin producing a great variety of vegetables and fruit within the month.  In December the farm will begin producing indoor and outdoor varieties of tomato, sweet and hot pepper, eggplant and cucumber.  It will also begin producing outdoor varieties of zucchini, squash in multiple varieties, tomatoes, green beans, broad beans and cauliflower.  The majority of this produce will go to feed refugee families here in Jordan.  In addition to the humanitarian benefit the production techniques and variety comparison will serve as a test bed for local farmers.  While agricultural extension is our primary focus the AC4D program  is priviledged to work alongside Operation Mercys Relief Program to meet the needs of over 100 displaced families for the next four months. 

Open Field Tomatoes

Deafness Tomatoes

Babylon Cucumbers

Guacho Zucchini

Dalia Eggplant

First Food Order for Refugees

Produce from the farm this winter is going almost exclusively to feed Syrian refugee families all over Northern Jordan.  This food aid comes at a crucial time as the World Food Program has just suspended food aid for over 1.7 million Syrian refugees due to a lack of funding.    As the winter sets in, Operation Mercy Jordan is pleased to produce and distribute over 15,000 lbs of fresh produce per month to displaced families who are in need. 

Our first food aid offering included two varieties of eggplant and a generous portion of sweet corn

Half of our first weeks order of 210 boxes during packing.  Note the two types of eggplant