#10 entry Organoponico de Alamar

Remember I had talked about how co-ops produce more than the state does. This coop has been growing for several years. I think she said just under 20 years.  

Shoppers are able to come and buy their food here.

Sugar cane being pressed.

It had rained really hard the night before so we are given bags to put on our feet for the walk through the fields.  The soil is very red and clay like.

                                                                        Styling!!!

We are ready!

We are walking up to our guide of the co-op. She has worked here from the beginning and is very proud of the accomplishments the co-op has achieved. 

They new members are screened for the first few months that they work. If they pass the standards then they are able to get a small percentage of the earnings. The longer you are there, the more of the share you are able to receive.

Here the seeds are separated by hand and put into these pots.

Here the pots are moved around in the sun. Some are put under screens and some are re-potted. Just like home. 

This a Noni tree. It is a very important fruit. One of the main functions is for fighting cancer among other diseases.

Both Filiz and I try this Noni fruit.  It is a taste that I can't come up with. The seeds are formed like a pomegranate fruit but it taste like throw up....sorry.  Not one that I am apt to eat again. 

One of the amazing thing here is that they use manure and add worms to it. Within 10 days that is turned into soil. It has no smell as you might think. Here they are sifting the soil.

Our leader showed us many other plants that are used for medicinal reasons.  The males had a special interest in this plant. I thought Travis was going to eat the whole tree!

Another important plant that is grown is the Moringa plant.  It has been used for 4000 years and has been the cure or prevention of more than 300 diseases. Among the cures are: lowers blood sugar levels, anti inflammatory, maintains cholesterol, protects against arsenic toxicity, may even purify water.

The group of workers are separating the cloves of garlic.

Many things are here for sale. Not one thing is wasted.

We are having our lunch break not far from the co-op which has supplied this restaurant with its produce.

After lunch we are going to meet with the Jurists of Cuba.
See you there
Ciao :)