Sandro Lopes, of Huerto Regenerative NaTerra in David City, invited us to his home garden and nearby farm on Saturday, August 24. While speaking to us in Spanish and translating to English, he shared many of the organic principles that he incorporates in both places. Sandro explained that a forest garden uses every single space to grow food and the inclusion of animals is integral to the forest garden. Every practice he employs is about soil conservation. Where Sandro grew up in Brazil, that was "everyone does without using words". Sandro told us about his crop rotation schedules and the different types of permaculture design he has incorporated. Sandro grows peppers, Indian corn, tomatillos and tomatoes and what his family doesn't eat, his young daughter donates to the local food pantry.
One fun point he made in his home garden was the "fence" he built. While some people like to build wooden fences, Sandro grows fences of lettuce.
Sandro is dedicated to connecting people in his community, focusing on Latinos, so that everyone has access to healthy foods and a space to connect with other people.
We drove out to his farm and learned more about his chickens, quail and goats. Sandro received this ground to work in May of this year and has made huge gains to create space where he can raise his animals and grow food for others.
Sandro shared that a mandela garden is an ingenious solution allowing him to capture precious run-off water and grow food. When we walked over to see it, guests gasped at the size of it. He has been working hard to create this space.
We walked to the lake on property to see where Sandro plans to raise ducks and the goats followed us.
There were many questions along the way and Sandro answered them all with grace and ease. Here are some comments from tour guests:
"My husband used to garden at our house. After this, I'm thinking about doing it again." "I'm very inspired to keep our land healthy for future generations."
"I'm strongly motivated to get land and work on it now." "Sandro made me curious about growing my own food. I'd like to start my garden next year."
"I learned about natural ways to control insects, stimulate decomposition, rotate plants, integrate agriculture with animals and the community." "I will attempt to build a more self-sustainable garden that can provide ingredients for my daily needs." "The way of life in agriculture makes me want to try different ways in agriculture to treat my own food, also to know how to recycle any type of organic material."
"Sandro showed me how to develop my local economy through the care of nature." "I will be in touch with Sandro...and share some of my seed collection as well as helping him on the farm."
We ended our tour with lunch from Aurora's Food Truck, Aurora, Josue and Jesus brought tasty pupusas and queso birria. Everyone enjoyed the feast and time to visit together.
And what farm tour isn't complete without a follow up art exhibit? One of our guests invited us to the reception at Bone Creek Agrarian Art for a special art exhibit focusing on pollinators. Several of us enjoyed the reception and hearing from the local artists.
It was a wonderful day in David City, thank you Sandro and your family for inviting us to learn from and with you!
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