Jembo Ag. Update by Cory

 

Patrick has done excellent work managing all of the agricultural work while we were away.

Rains were good and it seems that the early dry weather preserved soil fertility so when good rains arrived the crops developed rapidly without much added fertilizer.

Weeds also grew very fast, requiring big work crews. But it was a big help to the workers during this difficult year after the drought, helping the students and neighbors, many of them church members to earn some money.

Beans in the experimental fruit orchard.

Cory is learning about corn and bean farming and the fertilizer and herbicide use.

As he learns he passes along the knowledge to Rev. Patrick and the current students and they teach Cory their local experience.

This education should improve their crops for years to come and prevent wasting resources.

Part of the soybean field that we planted along with fruit
 trees this spring.

One mango tree can just be seen just below the middle of the photo.

Principal Roy told us that even though the rains should be tapering off soon that the cooling weather as Zambia transitions from summer to fall will help the crops continue to progress even with less rain. 

One surprise was how well peanuts did next to some beans that mostly failed.

A Bible student with his corn field, just at the juicy corn on the cob stage.

It is not sweet corn but still good.

Additional items being harvested from student and staff gardens include: greens, okra, beans, squash.