Fall 2007, Food Bank Farm
Welcome to my attempt at a blog. If you are reading this you probably already know most of this, but for formalities’ sake…
My name is Rachel Wyatt Lindsay – I live in León, Nicaragua were I am the Sustainable Development Coordinator for SosteNica, a Community Development and Micro Finance organization. Before I came to Nicaragua I worked for three and a half years at the Food Bank Farm in Hadley, MA, the past year as an assistant manager. I attended Wesleyan University, where I was part of a group of students who founded Long Lane Farm, a one-acre organic educational farming project that continues today. I suppose I learned to love growing food while helping in my grandfather’s garden as a child, and became interested in working with food justice and environmental sustainability while at college. Recieving a Fulbright to work with a micro-loans program and the department of Agro-ecology at a national Nicaraguan university is a result of my desire (at least for the moment) to move away from manual farm work and experience some of the educational and economic support structures that sustain the growth of sustainable agriculture throughout the world.
When I am not working on the farm, I am either dancing, looking for a place to go dancing, or thinking about the next time and place that I can go dancing. Contra, swing, contact, just boogying, irish step dancing (not so much any more), and more recently salsa, merengue, and bachata – I love it all. I also fill my time with cooking and enjoying the fruits of hard work at an organic farm, improving my Spanish (and Nica slang), making art, and trying to keep in touch with all the crazy wonderful people I know.
May 31, 2012 at 7:12 am
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May 7, 2012 at 9:48 pm
My wife and I have been following your blog for months now. We are extremely interested in coming to Nicaragua to help in any way we can. We think what you are doing is amazing and would like to speak with you about your efforts and what kind of help you might need or be willing to accept. We would also like some guidance. I speak fluent spanish and my wife is working on it. If you could please write us an email or get in contact with us some way we would appreciate it.
Thanks in advance,
Jud
April 27, 2012 at 5:26 am
Hi Rachel,
What’s a good way to contact you, email address perhaps?
I really am interested in what you are doing in Nicaragua, and was hoping to speak to you about how I can start similar ventures in other Central and South American countries.
Hope to hear from you. Feel free to send me an email at nkovaleski1@gmail.com
Thanks!
Nick
April 23, 2012 at 9:11 pm
Hi Rachel,
I am part of a non-profit organization that works with a technical school in Rancho Grande, Nicaragua. We have been sending teams of undergraduate students there for the past three years to teach English, math, and computer skills. The school employs talented students, who each have responsibilities working on the a farm and raising animals. The food produced at the school is then used in a feeding center for malnourished children in the community. Currently, our organization and our community parter have been working to establish a permanent curriculum in the school and to recruit teachers. The students have so far taught themselves about farming and tending to the animals. I was wondering, are you still in Nicaragua? I would love to get into contact with you to talk about your work so far and any suggestions or resources you could recommend, or even a possible collaboration if you are interested.
I hope to hear back from you soon!
October 10, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Hi, I’m a 46 yr old student at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. I am considering spending a month next summer in El Lagartillo to improve my Spanish. I also want to bring my 17 yr old son. I am interested also in possibly doing some kind of documentary while I’m there. I don’t know how easy that would be if the town doesn’t have adequate electrical resources for a camera, laptop, etc. What advice would you give? Is it a safe place to travel to, and what should I bring? I’m just starting my research on the matter. I would love any helpful advice or direction. You can email me at geischan@yahoo.com. I would love to hear from you. Thanks, Kate
October 4, 2011 at 4:01 pm
Hello Rachel:
My name is Yvonne and I’m originally from Nicaragua, but have recently relocated to the Bay Area. I own a small organic farm on Carretera Sur, 3 manzanas. We have done some reforestation, have goats, chickens and mainly cultivate beans, corn, baby greens and herbs. There are two houses on the farm, one made of adobe, which is quite nice and livable. The other smaller house is where Ramon and Vicente live, two fabulous people with whom I’ve worked for 12 years now. Ramon is particularly knowledgable of organic practices. We produce everything we need on the farm for the animals and for the veggies: feed, humus, micro-organisms, fertilizers, etc. I would like to find a way of supporting our efforts that started about 12 years ago, but because I am so far away, it’s really difficult to give them the help they need. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Yvonne
August 12, 2011 at 9:33 am
Rachel:
I have been trying to contact you for quite some time, but somehow the http address was always wrong. Anyway, it’s wonderful to see the aork you are doing, and I encourage you.
By the way, there is a recipe for green mangoes which I delect in: boil them until the skin fall off; mash the pulp and add a lot of sugar; keep cooking, and when the pulp and sugar begin to detach from the pail, pour in a container and let harden. It’s mango jam, and it’s a favorite in Venezuela,. It’s a wonderful way to use the green mangoes that fall off the trees before ripening.
Love,
Ignacio Götz
September 27, 2011 at 9:21 pm
Thanks for the recipe Ignacio. I love trying new foods, especially with local ingredients and even better with mangoes! This sounds deliciously sweet and tangy, and I will definitely try it out.
Be well,
Rachel
August 5, 2011 at 10:04 pm
way to go Rachel.
I’m a nicaraguan living in Miami, but longing to go back to Nicaragua, love it!!
I like your report about the piataya, my favority fruit!! When I go back I’m planning to have my own farm. I hope to see you there.
July 20, 2011 at 10:19 am
Hi, My name is Tina. I have a degree in Horticulture, I have a friend (Mitch)who goes on mission trips to Poplan Nicaragua. They have recently gotton a well & Mitch has asked me what kind of vegetables can be grown there, and when and if the soil needs anything added to it before they attempt to grow anything. Is this something you can help us with, or can you connect us with some one who can?
July 19, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Saludos Rachel!
I recently returned from a six-week trip to Nica where I interned with La Base in Leon, or more specifically with one of the coops La Base finances. Karen referred me to your blog, and while I heard about you and your work from Emma and the others, I unfortunately never got the chance to meet you personally. Karen sent me the blog primarily because I arrived with the idea of applying for a Fulbright grant in Nicaragua, and would like to focus on microfinance. I’ll be working on the proposal over the next couple of months, and I would love to talk with you a little bit about my research ideas if you have any time to see what you think as a former Fulbright grantee and Sostenica employee. My e-mail is alanna.markle@gmail.com.
Thanks, and hopefully we’ll be in touch
Alanna
May 21, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Hi Rachel! Just want to say it looks like you enjoy what you’re doing it, And I wish much success.. It’s Important that mankind return to the earth, my cousins ands I have planted a Garden with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, chili peppers, Italian Parsley, Eggplant and many more vegetables..It’s such a wonderful feeling knowing that you grew it and you ate it:-) Talvez un dia nos vemos en Nicaragua, soy Nicaraguense y vivo en Miami
Best regards
Jorge
April 12, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Hola Rachel,
Es increible tu trabajo en Nicaragua, me parece muy interesante. Tuve una pequeña experiencia con fortalecer cooperativas campesinas en mapeo comunitario y me encanto. Ahora estoy estudiando un master y espero llegar a Nicaragua en Julio y me gustaría conocer de cerca tu experiencia y el trabajo, tengo muchas ganas de aprender y si puedo ayudar en algo en un futuro seria genial.
saludos cordiales!
Inti
April 13, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Gracias por dejar un comentario en mi blog, Inti! Con mucho gusto te antenderá en Julio, avisame cuando estás aqui y cuando pienses estar en León, podemos planificar un día para ir al campo juntos. El tema de mapeo comunitario me interesse, hemos tenido experiencias bonitas haciendo ejercicios de mapear fincas con los campesinos.
soludos,
Raquel
April 14, 2011 at 7:11 am
Genial!!
Te aviso cuando este por alla y nos coordinamos.
Tené un buen día!
Inti
April 11, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Dear Rachel,
I ran into your mom last year and again this past Feb at the Dance Flurry. Found out you and my daughter, Amanda (from Mr. Braden’s class) are both involved in sustainable agriculture. She was in Bellingham, WA working for an organization called Sustainable Connections for 2 years and now is in Boston working on her Masters. Meanwhile, I’m coming to Nicaragua with my friend, Amy, who works at Millstone farm in Connecticut who knows Emma–who I just noticed had sent you a post a while back on this blog. Small world.
We’ll be coming May 14-21 and I was wondering if we could visit you around the 19th?
I love your blog and am so inspired by what you are doing. Thank you.
Janis
February 11, 2011 at 10:04 pm
Dear Rachel,
I love your blog and learning about your work in Nicaragua. I have a connection to SOSTENICA, and have recently been in touch with the organization about volunteer opportunities. Ultimately, I will be volunteering for an organic farm in the country, and not SOSTENICA, but am still interested in the organization and your work!
Do you have any reading recommendations for Nicaragua? Most books I can find on Amazon are either guidebooks or memoirs of the revolution, but I would be particularly interested in getting hold of some English-language material about rural life, sustainable agriculture, and development in the country. I would love some leads!
¡Que sigas con el buen trabajo!
Best,
Ned Littlefield
February 23, 2011 at 11:44 am
Hi Ned,
thanks for writing! It’s true that most of the literature is centered around the Revolution, but you will find that it is still very pertinent to current Nicaraguan scociety, I would still say it’s essential reading for understanding Nicaraguan worldview. Remember the Revolution is still very recent here – almost everyone has had a family member killed or participate, and the residual sentiments still very much affect todays politics. I highly recommend John Brentlinger’s book The Best of What We Are, it’s a wonderful collection of travel stories and philosophy from his time in Nicaragua during the revolution, and Gioconda Belli’s book The Country Under My Skin, which is also about her involvement in the Revolution and reads a bit more like a soap drama than John’s more academic writing. Our friend David Gullette who runs the Newton, MA and San Juan del Sur Sister Cisty Project is about to publish a novel this spring called Dreaming Nicaragua set partially in the time when tourists came through Nicaragua on steamships and paddleboats on their way from NY to California. I’m looking forward very much to reading it, and we’ll have to share some copies while you are here!
And if you are going to get a guidebook – the only one worthwhile is the Moon Guide! Josh Berman is a friend of a friend and it’s actually filled with stories about rural life and community projects, you’ll probably enjoy reading it more than you think.
hasta pronto,
Rachel
February 8, 2011 at 11:06 am
Hi Rachel! My name is Kate, and I came across your blog while searching around and reading about agriculture work in Nicaragua. I write because I will be arriving in Nicaragua in May 2011 to serve as a Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua. My exact community is TBD, because I’ve learned that PC doesn’t give exact community assignments until some point during training, though I know I will be some place quite rural. Your work sounds fascinating, and I would love to hear more about your experience in Nicaragua, your work, and if you have ever worked with Peace Corps volunteers. My email should be in this post, so if you ever have a few free moments I would love to hear more about your work. And hopefully our paths will cross at some point later this year in Nicaragua! All the best.
January 24, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Hi,
I’m about to go on a scouting trip to Nicaragua and Costa Rica for a small tea business that is looking for sustainably farmed Certified Organic ginger and hibiscus to put in our tea blends. I was wondering if you could give me any names of farms or networks that would help me source these things. We’re arriving in February and leaving just before April and I would like to have a few places on my visiting agenda to shape the route I take. Thanks so much, hope to hear from you.
September 4, 2010 at 2:24 am
Hi Rachel,
My name is Adina Ringler and I am currently working on a Fulbright application to study sustainable agricultural practices in Bulgaria. I have read through your blog and really admire all the work you have done in Nicaragua. I was wondering if you can e-mail me your Fulbright Statement of Purpose so I can read through it and better understand your research objectives. I think it will help me understand what can be accomplished in the field of Sustainable Agriculture. Since you received the grant, I assume you have written a a very strong research scope. Thanks SO much and I look forward to hearing from you!
Kind regards,
Adina
adina.ringler@gmail.com
June 8, 2010 at 5:19 pm
Hola Rachel!
We exchanged e-mails over a year ago and I was hoping to meet up with you when I was in Nicaragua last May. I ended up coming back in October and have been here ever since. Sounds like you are still in León? Would love to touch base again.
Jessica http://www.ToursToNicaragua.com
April 20, 2010 at 12:34 pm
HELLO RACHEL. SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE A BUSY GIRL IN NICA. I OWN A 2000 ACRE CATTLE/GROWING RANCH JUST OUTSIDE OF ESTELI ,WE HAVE OWNED THIS RANCH FOR SINCE THE 1800 MY FATHER RAN CATTLE AND GREW CROPS WE HAVE A RIVER IN THE MIDLLE AND A LAGOON AND SOME WELLS,EVEN A SMALL NATURAL SPRING. I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOMETHING ORGANIC STARTED WITH CATTLE AND VEGATABLES. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS I AM LAND RICH AND SOMEWHAT A BIT MONEY POUR. IS THER ANY PROGRAMS FORIGN OR DOMESTIC THAT MAY BE INTRESTED IN HELPING ME HELP THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE .
May 10, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Hi Manny,
I would look at the market opportunities to see what you have the best chance of selling. There is an organic vegetable market every Friday in the plaza in Estili, I would start by going and seeing what they are selling and talking to the farmers.
Silvopastoril systems are an excellent way of improving the sustainability of a cattle farm. SIMAS has good information about implementing leguminous trees and living fences into your ranch, http://www.simas.org.ni/ They have good information online and even better resources at their office in Managua, reparto el Carmen near the stadium.
Another option would be bee hives and honey, which is a high value crop that makes good use of forests and can increase yields in any vegetable crop you cultivate.
February 26, 2010 at 6:22 am
Hola Rachel,
I am a PhD student currently doing research in Green Microfinance (Microfinance and the environmental bottom line: what relevance?), and I am very interested in the project you have been working in with CEPRODEL. I would be very glad to get in touch with you to learn more about it, and eventually get some contacts? Have you written any paper or report on this project that you could eventually share with me? Many thanks for your kind answer!
Saludos desde Paris,
Marion
February 13, 2010 at 7:57 am
[...] my name is Rachel Lindsay, and I will be coordinating the Agua Pa’ Todos project on the ground here in Nicaragua. I [...]
March 1, 2010 at 10:37 am
Hi Rachel, nice to see your website and to read about your work. I am interested in the same topics and wanted to make some contacts in Nicaragua.. could you respond to my univ. email enclosed and I will provide more information.
Much obliged, MRMcD
February 8, 2010 at 11:57 am
Hello Rachel,
I’m a Nicaraguan living in Euless Texas, I was brought up here as a hurricane refugee after hurricane Mitch did its thing as it passed by central america. It’s has been near 12 years and now it is time to go back. I’ve been looking in the net for the right people, projects or just the right information that may help me to grow and build something on a small piece of land that I now own down there near Leon city about 30 min drive from the city 15km north of Cerro negro near a small town called Malpaisillo. Gush! there is excitement and labor involved on what you do and I envy you. I have a house where I could accomodate visitors, students, teachers and more and I’m also willing to build outta this small piece of land a small paradise for everyone, which is my dream…
All I need is the right guidance that may help me make this idea a reality. “learning about how we can encourage and improve sustainable farming here” ,that caught my eyes.
Keep on dancing Im sure we do that a lot down there still…
Hasta la vista Rachel.
October 3, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Good luck Moises, your project sounds like it has alot of potential! I have been to Malpaisillo a few times, it’s very very hot there. The INTA office in Malpaisillo has some very good people working in it and they run free workshops on sustainable farming methods and pest and disease identification, you should go introduce yourself. They are a good resource for any kind of crop and cattle too.
December 16, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I just returned from Leon to CT, USA last week. I loved the area and the people. I am very interested in starting an organic cosmetic company in the Leon area using coconut oil, cocoa oil, mango as well as a variety of essential oils from macadamia, sesame etc etc. Also, I would be interested in incorporating volcanic ash. I need to identify sources of these resources. Let me know if you can help.
December 8, 2009 at 10:19 am
Hi,
My friend recently met Alan Wright who is working for Sostenica – I believe your supporting Fulbright institution!
I am a Fulbright Ecuador alum, and worked on an urban-rural food movement (publication: http://www.leisa.info/index.php?url=contact-details.tpl&p%5B_id%5D=214960&p%5BreadOnly%5D=1).
I am now working in CT on Millstone Farm. My boyfriend is an ex-Peace Corps from Nicaragua, and is about to open a hostal in Matagalpa. We are going back down in Febrary/March to open a cafe – I am trying to source local, preferably agroecological produce, from small-scale farmers – also searching for a better variety of products (not just iceberg lettuce!).
Do you have any suggestions? I would love to get in touch when I am down there and learn a bit more about your project and see if we can find a market for some of the farmers you are connected to!
Peace,
Emma
November 24, 2009 at 8:06 am
By any chance, do you have any information on short term homestays (ie 2 nights) on a farm for a group of 4 (including two good kids ages 7 & 9). We are searching for a more authentic experience than a hostel but can’t seem to find anything…. I love your site – Great work!!!
October 5, 2009 at 12:05 am
I hope to correspond with you about the many people and resources you’ve encountered in Nicaragua. My husband (a Nica) and I have a farm between Nandaime and Rivas off the Panamerican highway. There is so much to do and so much we need technical help with that at times I feel totally overwhelmed. We both work hard here in WA State to support development of this farm. Reforestation, riparian preservation, pasture management, and digging wells are just a few of the things on our plate.
Your blog is very inspiring!
thank you and best of luck,
Betsy
September 6, 2009 at 6:18 pm
Hi! Your blog randomly appeared today as a link in my Google News Nicaragua Email. Being a former grantee I was curious so I clicked and realized hey, I’ve met you! (Casa de los Mejia Godoy…). Are you still in Leon? How much longer? If you come down to Managua send me a note! I’m actually in CT this week visiting family, will be back the 14th.
abrazos,
kate
August 20, 2009 at 7:40 pm
finally got your address, a little late but gave me something to do, your blogs are great, pictures are fantastic and you seem to be having a great time. Miss your smiling, happy face at the farm. keep up the dancing!
June 5, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Hey Rachel,
I found this very interesting blog as I was doing research for my own Fulbright application in Nicaragua! I wanted to know if you could help me with some questions I have about applying to live at UNAN in Leon. I’m really excited about my project and would really appreciate any help or advise you have. My email address is firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Thanks so much, and good luck on your project!
May 7, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Rachel, the tract of land is near Jinotepe. I’ll be working with a missions group in that area doing a building project. BTW I’ve been blessed with a “few” pounds of Selva Negra coffee. Very good!
May 6, 2009 at 10:16 am
Hi Rachel, I will be visiting Nicaraqua this June. Will be working with a local Missionary Organization who are looking into purchasing a 80 acre piece of land. I have a background in the Master Gardening Program in PA, and have owned a small farmette in the past. The interesting thing about this particular piece of land is that is has a artesian well and a stream providing the possibility for irrigation. I am looking forward to what the possibilities are. – Bruce
May 6, 2009 at 10:28 pm
That sounds really interesting Bruce, where is the piece of land you are looking at? I would love to hear about your plans for the land, what you want to grow and where the products will go. Please look me up when you come visit, my cell number is on the right hand side of the homepage, it’s a movistar number.
May 2, 2009 at 8:24 am
Happy Birthday, Rachel!
Thank you for your articulate observations and your pictures.
Love,
Marney
(first cousin once removed – now that is an interesting cultural concept)
April 6, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Hello Rachel girl!!
I love your web site and will be checking in on it often. I miss you very much at the Food Bank Farm. I can’t believe you won’t be here this season, it is slow to sink in for me. How lucky everyone is to have you there. You sound so happy Rachel. Good luck with all you do. And so with much love and pride good bye for now!
Sherry from the Shareroom
March 5, 2009 at 5:48 pm
coment on Miercoles de Ceniza part 2.
The bigger question related to all the plastic burning is, why does a poor country like Nicaragua import and produce so many goods which come in plastic bottles and plastic packaging? Until not too long ago jute and various types of paper was used for packaging and glass for bottling. Maybe coca cola and their friends need to be sent off and sustainable industries started.
March 16, 2009 at 7:18 pm
That’s a really good question. To frame it in respect to agriculture, why are Nicaraguan farmers selling their beans and peanuts to El Salvador, where they are packaged (and roasted, in the case of peanuts), labeled, and then returned to Nicaragua to be sold in the supermarkets? Unfortunately I think the answer is cultural, and immensely difficult to challenge. The same culture that prefers beans in labeled packages doesn’t care where the packages end up. But I’m not convinced that the bulk of the blame can be thrown at large companies such as Coca Cola. Even unpackaged bulk goods in the market end up in plastic bags, and fruit drinks that are made in large batches from fresh local ingredients are sold in plastic bags with straws stuck in them to drink in the street. It’s the same struggle that we have in the U.S. – trying to get people to bring their own bags to market, and to carry their own cups around to drink from. Except that here no one has even begun the campaign.
March 3, 2009 at 9:26 am
Excellent! Thank you!
February 11, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Hi Rachel,
Your mom told me about your project and your blog! Fantastic! Can I share this with your fellow Waldorf alumni?
Hope all is going well!
Yours,
Robert
February 20, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Of course you can. I appreciate your enthusiasm, and hope there are others who would be interested in this too.
February 3, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Hi Rachel. How are you? I just wanted to say that I hope everything is going great in Nicaragua. I hope you’re learning a lot of spanish and having fun.
February 1, 2009 at 10:08 am
Hello from America!!!!! This is your brother and fellow colleague Chris from Dr. Hajdu;s Veterinary clinic back home. Hope all is well, send some tomatoes!!!!
January 24, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Hey Rachel,
Great that you got a blog started. Keep the info. coming & I’ll keep reading. Stay in touch.
January 20, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Rock on, sister! Obama’s warming it up for you out here in the U.S. May the contagious optimism of the national moment reach you and lift you up as you travel! I’m pulling for you and can’t wait to read about your adventures!
January 17, 2009 at 11:26 pm
rachel,
have safe travels, and have a wonderful time. I am sure that you will make us all so proud!
Love you and miss your pretty little face already, muah!!
January 17, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Rachel,
Thanks for this. can’t wait to read along, then come visit and see for myself! enjoy the sun for us who forgot what it looks like.
January 17, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hi Rachel, It is great to “hear” your joyful voice in print. I am glad you are blogging to share your delights and insights. ¡Baile, Mi Amiga!
January 16, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Rachel,
It has been a tremendous pleasure getting to work with you these two weeks. I look forward to a future of collaboration. Buen viaje en Nicaragua.