Cuba and the U.S. to restore diplomatic relations and open embassies

The agreement between Cuba and the U.S. to restore diplomatic relations and open embassies in their respective capitals will be announced today; July 1, 2015

The restoration of diplomatic relations between our countries will open opportunities for the U.S. and Cuba to collaborate on issues of mutual interest like immigration, environmental conservation, and regional trade long held at bay by the embargo. We congratulate the tireless work of activists, Cuban and U.S. diplomats and policymakers who have helped make this historic event come to fruition.

Agroecological concepts and the infrastructure required to support it in a bottom-up knowledge exchange as the fulcrum to Sustainable  community development and NEEMs core mission.

www.neemtree.org/cubatravel 

	Dear Jeffrey: Thank you for writing.  The best way to advance our Nation’s interests and values is through open engagement rather than isolation.  That is why after more than half a century, the United States is changing its relationship with the people of Cuba and working toward normalizing relations between our two countries. Decades of isolation have failed to produce meaningful change, and by charting a new course, my Administration is reaffirming our commitment to promoting the emergence of a more prosperous Cuba that respects the universal rights of all its citizens.  To achieve this, the United States is taking steps to increase travel, commerce, and the flow of information to and from Cuba.  We will also reestablish diplomatic relations with the Cuban Government, including opening an embassy in Havana.  Nobody represents America’s values better than the American people, and I believe this contact will ultimately serve to empower the Cuban people.  Additionally, I instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to review Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.  After a careful review of Cuba’s record that was guided by the facts and the law, he recommended rescinding that designation, and I have notified Congress of the Administration’s intent to do so. Again, thank you for writing.  We must create more opportunities and begin a new chapter among the nations of the Americas.  By choosing to cut loose the shackles of the past, we can reach for a brighter future—for the Cuban people, for the American people, and for the world our children will inherit. . Sincerely, Barack Obama

Organoponico NEEM - an urban agroecological farm in its natural habitat

NEEM is a innovative replicable solution that has impacted childhood hunger as a leader in the field of sustainable local urban production. Other like minded organizations have adopted techniques developed by NEEM addressing food security in a bottom up approach and in a sustainable way. Principals we have promoted since 1974 and 1996. Our projects are not ours. Of the multitude of projects we have been involved in many were a first and all are the communities. 
NEEM as an organization operates Organoponico NEEM as an example of what can be achieved in small steps and expansion toward capability for community. Innovation is not the amount of land but what you do with it environmentally in a cooperative model.11.2 contiguous acres is our palate. Its a process of  community and at OG NEEM the cooperative model.
Organopoonico NEEM is the first and largest Farm Services Agency registered USDA sustainable urban farm in the United States. This property represents real capacity. Organoponico NEEM is a sustainable production facility. Our client are those who don't have transportation too and would or will not shop in organic natural stores or farmers market venues. We are sustainably producing food for the poor, those socioeconomically excluded from organic.

We ardently support the farmers market concept for urban and rural farmers but our mission is strictly relegated to the low income community where help is needed most and availability non existent. To do that effectively requires capability and to be affordable at least some infrastructure and support. Selling product at low or "loss prices" works because it satisfies the goal; introduction of organic, fresh to the minority low income population.We applaud the good work of food banks but we also point to the fact that while essential, they do not promote a self sustaining community.
President Carter told us not to give, or people will not respect but expect; and the foundation for Habitat. We applied a portion of that model to the Cuban model which NEEM replicates. We have developed a closed loop farm system in the most natural habitat that is off the grid displaying self sufficient possibilities. This initiative provides solutions to nutritional problems of our children and our own immediate community where health issues are prominent.

Community solutions lay in exposure to fresh organic, produced in neighborhood introduced to community. Educational solutions are achieved in sustainable community development concepts and Sustainable Food Security that must both go hand in hand. IF focus becomes solely Food Security then we lose the opportunity to educate in the area of sustainability. We must insure community that it is in fact dangerous to the city, streams, ground water, air, environment and the urban ecology to farm in town conventionally. The rural conventional farmers we work with agree that conventional urban is indeed dangerous. We do not want to address one problem while creating another as a bi product for the same community. This is why we practice Agroecology as a method that works with the land as stewards to it as opposed to against it in an environmentally sound way. When our neighbors are on the farm they are exposed to  to the Agroecological concepts we promote. That is innovative. OG NEEM is a cooperative organic urban farm and process. It is a production area, nothing fancy here; its a farm.

Processed food is a reality, it is fast food in the grocery, distribution of it feeds children but there must be a healthy balance.
NEEM as an organization seeks to off set imbalance by providing 100% sustainable production, fresh and healthy with no negative impact to the environment. We understand and support other answers but we must always be aware of the ramifications. If we seek self sustenance in part, then we will embrace it and sustainable ideas that are relative to effectively, tackling the issue that stands before us.
(NEEM leads Agroecological delegations to Cuba since 2003 as educational foreign exchange component for knowledge exchange) Got to: www.neemtree.org/cubatravel/

Neem in systemic applications and Purified protein from neem

Neem is a tree. 
NEEM is an organization in Durham, North Carolina that promotes Neem, Agroecology, food security and sustainable community. 

Neem in systemic applications modulates immunity against disease in plants. Its anti-viral properties provide a level of protection internally against pests. Anti-bacterial properties are effective against destructive bacteria if used in appropriate amounts to avoid potential negative ramifications to "good bacteria". Any input may have a negative affect on cultivars or soil biology if used in a inappropriate way. Care here should be taken but the level of Azadirachta indica in systemic applications is far to low to have any significant affect on bacteria mortality. Slow release and "in soil half life" insure positive outcomes in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Systemic treatment is enhanced when complimented by topical applications of neem. Topical applications OPEN stomata allowing signalling and plant biology to behave beyond normal capability. Neem does not block stomata as some perceive it would.
The 5 - 7% nitrogen content insures a low level (also slow release) that enhances root ball development. Many focus on neem as a biological alternative to chemical pesticides but, it is also a very efficient fertilizer.
In entomology, neem disrupts the hormonal clock that enables effective perpetuation of the species. Therefore, neem impacts the ability to reproduce effectively reducing future populations. [Care must be taken for; pollinators in topical applications should be applied late afternoon and, soil where seed germination and "germ rate" would be inhibited as in the entomological process].  Neem should therefore be implemented after germination has occurred to insure the best "germ rate". These methods are especially effective when used in the stages of: post germination nursery, starts, to field ready plants coordinated with the soil amendments applied prior to and after planting. In this process, with the exception of the germ period, Azadirachta indica has been introduced to and providing a layer of internal protection to the plant for its plant life. 
For a nursery it will reduce loss and prevent or reduce transfer from their facility of pests and disease. This alone is an important issue of our time when many farms purchase contracted field ready starts for the farm and come with unseen issues unbeknown to the nursery itself. This is especially important to any facility in plant production for the retail market.
For the farm, the multiple process will increase yields and reduce loss as an answer to pest management, virus, blight, mites, borers, fungus and a list of pests too numerous to mention. How neem is affective against the "bad bugs" with little or no negative affect on the good ones is a mystery.
Introduction of neem leaf into a vermi-composting system will result in Azadirachta and nitrogen laden castings. Neem does not have any negative reproductive effect on worms. This is important to anyone with a worm casting soil amendment schedule. (neem oil is very high PPM and should not be introduced to a worm population when other neem tree by products are not available).
 
Pests will not become "neem tolerant" as in conventional chemical input applications where there is a representative increase each year in amounts required to remain affective. Any farm having to consider an increase per year in input budget due to increasingly ineffective properties could use this multifaceted alternative at approximately the same cost each year. The internal presence in a cultivar of neem is not total insurance against problems but it will reduce them significantly.
These same attributes are beneficial to harvested crops and protection against loss from insects and disease while in storage if neem leaf for instance is used in the storage area. 

Now test show that there are health benefits that are not foreign to the agricultural applications above. Our organization, NEEM, has been promoting agricultural and health applications. If we can benefit an emerging economy by educating, promoting development of a neem tree program that provides a natural alternative to farm inputs, that is effective and provides an alternative to prevention of Malaria, Dengue and now as noted below also a cure for cancer. We are all in!
We see plant and human health benefits that are all relative.
  Tests now show that Neem Leaf Glycoprotein (NLGP) modulates the immune cells (cells responsible for providing immunity to the body) present within the tumor environment and also in the peripheral systemic system. During tumor development these immune cells are enslaved by the cancerous cells to promote their growth and proliferation as against their actual function of remaining hostile to cells that are dangerous to the body. Therefore, instead of destroying the lethal cells, the guard cells actually favor their growth. The NLGP spurs these cells towards a normal state back again in the Tumor Micro Environment (TME- the cells surrounding a tumor). This restricts further growth of tumor cells. As the micro environment returns to the tumor-directed hostile state, triggered by NLGP, the population of T cells shoots up, thereby aiding in restriction of the cancer. NLGP also shields the T cells from developing a non-reactive state (called anergy).
These actions in cancer are the same actions in the agricultural applications and why
 
Neem truly is an answer to global problems. 
JAE

South Africans and Stinger-less bees

NEEM – CUBA Programs – We have been involved for a very long time on a State, Federal and International level in Cuba and Washington working on improving relations in a sustainable way.  We began taking groups as a part of our foreign exchange component tied directly to NEEMs replication of the Cuban model in Agroecology. 
NEEM was awarded the Office of Foreign Asset Control Department of Treasusry, “People to People” exchange license allowing citizens to travel legally with NEEM to Cuba. What an unplanned honor. 
The license resulted in a collaboration with Global Exchange, a leader in the field. We are also partners with the Association of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians (ACTAF). Dr. Funes leads Cuba in Agroecological concepts through ACTAF and is our friend. We are very proud to walk with and beside Fernando. We feel as we should in harmony – Argoecologically. 

What purpose do the groups serve? 
First and foremost they bring our respective countries closer together sustainably through  dialectic exchange that occurs in freedom to travel. They bring to the delegate the truth and the knowledge exchange; and they also bring residual income or, financial independence to  NEEM. Organoponoico NEEM is a closed loop off the grid farm. The delegations diversify NEEM and take the organization off the financial grid.  

Delegates are from the United States and International 
When you  give, you get back. 
  NEEM is “Seed to Plate – A Wandering Feast”™.

12 million jobs, Rubio, Cuba and unsubstantiated claims

You could have never told me I would be watching the Republican Convention but I did.

Clint Eastwood is my friend and we play golf together at Pebble Beach. He is not a right wing conservative. Last time I played golf with Clint I made 18 holes in one's. If you believe Clint and I are friends, play golf at pebble beach and that I had a perfect round of golf then you are also capable of believing Romney can create 12 million jobs.
If there is such a thing as a "speech giving" double agent I think it was Clint.

I watched because we have been involved all these years in effecting positive change in Cuba, seeking to end the failed embargo, tired of lining the wallets of numerous not so transparent programs run from Florida in the name of Democracy at taxpayers expense and searching for answers in the convoluted Cuba issue.

FREEDOM seemed to be a theme.
Senator Rubio stated in his bid speech for his Presidential future prior to his introduction of Mitt Romney: "that here, his parents had the freedom and "that here we were free to do what is Americans right to do and I agree with him.
We should have the right to travel. Rubio cries freedom and quickly forgets that Americans are excluded and only "Cuban-Americans" can travel to Cuba. An American is an American.
If Rubio is really as savvy as he is made to be he would not have given the introductory speech last night. He established himself as a puppet, not the future leader of our country - another pawn in the game - the front man! This was all about power gifted to maintain the hypocrisy of the embargo.
Thanks for showing us who you are and bringing to every Americans attention that there are certain inherent FREEDOMS Cuban Americans enjoy that the rest of us do not. Thanks for setting the national stage for some serious Q and A.! Misinformed Americans want to know.
It was actually rather complimentary to a small group. We, the less than 1% working tirelessly for peaceful humanitarian change and the rights and freedoms of Americans, with Cuba being first on the agenda in an opening prayer. The rest of America is not really paying a lot of attention to this subject. You have to have information to do that.

What we do know is that IF we allow this Republican ticket to prevail, we will be thrown into a Bush era financial collapse that makes 2008 pale in comparison. We also know that Cuba, this little country mentioned three  times last night out of all the countries in the world, will be set back 15 years. Rubio is intelligent. He knows the only path is through dialogue. He knows that when both Castro brothers are gone nothing there will skip a beat. He is completely aware of the fact that Cuba will not flip and become a U.S.style Democracy.  

We owe Mario Rubio a debt of gratitude for bringing up a subject that is normally buried by his constituents at great expense. 

The price of freedom is very high. 

Jeff
NEEM - www.neemtree.org & 
http://www.causes.com/causes/424940-neem (facebook)
A Wandering Feast tm "Seed to Plate"
Cuba Travel @Havanaman (Twitter)
@organoponicNEEM (Twitter)

NEEM in CUBA

In 1996 we were a GMO Free, 100% organic, UK4 Soil Association Oregon Tilth certified company located in Durham, looking at Cuba as an organic supply line. NEEM was established in Durham at that time as an activist organization promoting neem in sustainable agriculture. We worked outside the USA in the equatorial belt countries where neem grows and the people impoverished (Latin basin, African diaspora & Central America). We promoted neem as a biological, naturally occurring, yearly harvest-able alternative to chemical inputs in agriculture and an answer to Malaria, Dengue, AIDS and numerous maladies that included potential for economic development. Countries that were codependent on gifted chemicals for agriculture and medicine, neither of which they could afford (as they remain today). Our objective was self reliance where we worked and opening production capability. We engaged with the Cuban's and their Neem Project director. 

Our company was organic but we were global, environmentally this was an issue. We learned about the new agricultural urban program during this time in Cuba where we encouraged use of neem. The global market exposure was our re-visit to how organic we really were and subsequently adopted a "local" mentality replicating the Cuban model as we do today at NEEM. We applaud the Cubans for staying on top of infrastructure required and thank them for all they have done for us.

Is neem an answer to global issue, we think so, we always have!  

Biofactory built for neem insecticide

Written by AIN

Guantanamo. - Biofactory to produce insecticide from the neem tree is built in the arid coastal strip south of Guantanamo, where blooms the plant, known as the toothbrush of indigenous peoples.

Among its many uses, this bush scientific name Azadirachta indica A. Juss, is used for cleaning and brushing of the teeth in the Asian and African continents, where it is common to see their native inhabitants with a small slice, for oral bacterial infection.

But in Guantanamo priority will be its use as a biological insecticide, mainly in the planting of vegetables, meats and fruit Caujerí Valley, said today the engineer Soraya García Pavón, for a series of conferences and scientific panels that develops in this city, in salute to July 26.

Neem provides the substance called azadirachtin, which interferes with the metamorphosis of the larvae of insect pests, and therefore the reproduction of these in the areas planted, said the specialist at the Center for Applied Research for Sustainable Development (CATEDES).

He said that that is the result of biofactory international collaborative project funded by the Cuban government, supported by the Small Grants Programme of the Global Environment.

Its production will favor more than 1300 hectares of the valley, which benefit from August 2010 to one of the waterworks in the country: the diversion of the river to the dam Sabanalamar Pozo Azul.

For over five years, the introduction of Nim increased forested area in the arid coastal strip south of Guantanamo, where hundreds of hectares have been enriched by this plant, several species associated with timber and fruit.

That task was the work of the Sector to Combat Desertification and Drought CATEDES subordinate entity.

The initiative to host the semi-desert landscape to the Nim tree is considered by environmental experts as one of the outstanding achievements of the scientific community Guantanamo.

"Democracy is more than just a word"

"Democracy is more than just a word". "There can be no democracy where there is hunger, unemployment and injustice." 

This is a call to to American companies, come home - do the right thing. We used to be self sustaining, we can be again. American companies continue to move companies, production and labor to other countries. I say if your business is somewhere other than here, then you are not an American corporation but a colonialist corporation and should declare that allegiance.

There is no middle class anymore and that is in and of itself dangerous! 

Huey Long said in 1963 that fascism would come to America in the guise of fear. Was he right after 911? Or, are we really a Socialist State with so many on social programs (statistics don't consider the self employed) and we just can't admit it? 

In 1864 90% of businessmen in America were farmers, self employed. 10% were shopkeepers who carried goods for the farmers. Our country depended on no one, we took advantage of oceans of separation. We stayed out of peoples business, completely independent. What happened? 

After the Industrial Revolution we were the powerhouse, we were the industrial giant. We are dependent now on the high tech revolution that replaced the vacated position of the Industrial revolution. An industry that's history is replacement of people as it improves. 

We are a consumer/service society codependent on countries whose influence and ownership in the U.S. is like some stock or bond they hold as a majority shareholder; poised to make changes we the people have nothing to say about. Have we lost our way? Have we lost our minds?  

Cuba seeks to be self sufficient. This is positive thinking towards self preservation. If they can do it there, we can do it here. Cuba is too a consumer/service society. Its an island so to be clear they ship in 60% of their food. Never-the-less, 90% of the vegetables consumed in Havana are grown in Havana. That is a big number. 60% of daily dietary requirements are met and produced or raised in Havana.

What we need to do is go somewhere where we are deprived of these high tech things that keep us all busy. Things that have woven themselves into our lives. That keep us constantly connected and always available, constantly accessible with no real time left in the day. 

How would it be to find yourself inaccessible but in a culturally invigorating atmosphere. 

What about going to a place where your cell phone doesn't work, you only have 15 minutes on the internet every two days, no real advertising, no computer,3 channel TV shuts off at 12PM and the land line doesn't ring. Does this sound like 1950/60 when we all had one phone in the kitchen, 3 channels, free TV and radio, no answer machine and time to be Human!

A place where there are no fear reminders of losing homes, hostile billing, negative Ads and actual truthful educated discussions on climate and ecology resulting in meaningful answers and action. Where there are not homeless people laying on the corner, kids go to school until 12th grade, everyone has a house, health care is free, almost crime-less, 33,000 urban farms that hire 480,000 people, almost self sufficient, Sustainable/Organic, everyone eats something, great music and art, the best people you will come to know, a culture where people work to live instead of "live to work". A place where there is no prepared or fast food.

A place that by virtue of going is a statement towards effecting positive change,an opportunity to display Democratic values and when you come home will share the good things you learned to our benefit here?

You would not return the same, you would feel misinformed and know that without real information regular people cannot make an educated decision.

We replicate the Cuban model, it is successful and it works. It is irrelevant what the politics are to degrees other than you also will know that there is not a demonic force murdering peasants for land like Batista.

No you will return with great ideas for your community. Ideas you will work to bring to fruition and relish the time you had when no one could contact you.

Cuba Travel ‏@HavanaMan

@CubaJunky check out Cuba Travel @havanaman - delegations on Sustainable Agriculture; Roll w/Pro’s at NEEM since 2003 http://neemtree.org/ 

DISCOVER Cuba

What comes with 16 years experience in travel to Cuba? The hidden, the real  & the sustainable CUBA. The Culinary and undiscovered Cuba.
We have a "Cuba attitude", NEEM delegates have fun; a great time in and out of the itinerary. You go places and see things others have not (including our Cuban counterparts). With very few exceptions, Cuba delegates with NEEM will not return to hear another person who traveled with a group talk about the same places we go. Our delegations are unique, not flipped. We are "Seed to Plate" A Wandering Feast.. As an environmentalist Executive Chef Farmer and musician you can expect to go to the best restaurant's but at the best prices. You might even find yourself in the jungle, surrounded by Royal palms eating Carne Asada slow cooked over an open flame draped in palm by a Cuban Chef. (We do not list the restaurants or they become a find then expensive).Our hosts, driver and interpreter eat with us, not at a separate table. Do you want to go to a free live Jam one night during your free time where musicians pour out into a hidden courtyard and play Bata, Rumba, Folklorica? We're going, so come along, its awesome.  We have undiscovered, cool and lesser known spots where we stay that are incredible (we only list hotel's in our ads, final itinerary will have accommodations). When we stay at Hotels, we don't always stay at the best but we make sure we stay where you can change money, get a cab and reasonable internet access. We had that experience once and we won't again. Why spend free time chasing currency exchange (they will not have if theyu don't), cabs or hours in the internet cafe. Depending on where you stay, this can become an issue and actually more expensive than a nicer place. Bottom line is we are still cheap even at the good hotels. We include a leisurely night in Miami and smooth transition to MIA to Havana AND round trip airfare from Miami.is always included. 


Are we serious about what we do, yes? Food security, self sufficiency and sustainability are important topics of the day, what we do here in the States and why you are there. know body said it had to be boring. Our itineraries work as well for the novice as they do for the professional. It is always relaxed and no matter where or how hard times are there for our hosts, we will be treated as honored guests with a modicum of manners and gentality that only the Cuban people can provide. Something I Americans have forgot.
Either way you cut it, you will not come home the same, you will as they say in Sancti Spritus "return to the waters".
JAE
NEEM

www.neemtree.org  

   [read more...] 2012 CUBA delegations.

NEEM – PLANT and FIGHT

 CUBA   

Involved in Cuba since 1996 NEEM is the only sustainable agricultural organization leading delegations to Cuba on Agroecology & Sustainable Agriculture.  Why NEEM? We know the farmers. Since 2003 NEEM has lead licensed unique delegations engaging ordinary Cuban people hosted with our partners, the founders of the sustainable movement in Cuba.

What comes with 16 years experience ? The hidden, the real  & the sustainable CUBA  [read more...]  2012 CUBA delegations. 
www.neemtree.org  

PLANT and FIGHT

NEEM is an organization in Durham but a part of us is in Cuba

We would like to congratulate the organizing committee for bringing so many together for such a professional and well coordinated IX International Congress! 

   We just returned from Cuba after attending the IX International Congress on sustainable and organic agriculture. The theme was Agroecology and the focus the urban sector. 

PLANT & FIGHT

    We were part of a group comprised of representatives from Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Venezuela, Japan, Columbia, Mexico, Puerto Rico with NEEM representing the U.S. and North Carolina. It was interesting to see, and engage, with multicultural groups and get perspective on techniques they are using to address issues of food security in their countries. It is after all through dialogue and engagement with others that allows us to expand on our horizons. It was a magnificent and beneficial experience with cross cultural collaborations established. It was truly interesting to experience yet again the Cuba model along with all of the representative countries and their particular approach towards "Food  Security". 

    Meetings we had at the International level were inspiring. 

    Our presentation to the congress was "The Agroecological Farm as a Fulcrum for Sustainable Community Development" and "PEAK WATER" as an issue we cannot avoid. The presentation was well received and the interest outside Agroecology was very high on the Rain Water Harvesting Systems and sustainable management projects of NEEMs. Water is a problem in the United States but not as pronounced as in some of these representative countries. Cuba for instance does not harvest rain for agricultural purposes. We will work with and through the Canadian Consulate for an RWH and Sustainable Orchard management project. Very exciting if it actually comes to pass. 
    Dr. Fernando Funes won an the life time achievement award where his work in Agroecology, sustainable agriculture in the urban, sub urban and rural sectors were acknowledged. We are proud to work with and call him our friend. His and his families work represents a lifetime off untiring efforts to promote Agroecological concepts for a better future.

PAZ

Jeff Ensminger 

    Travel as a NEEM Delegate: There are now new delegation dates added for August/September w/October almost full and December sold out. We are most excited to be receiving our "People to People" Exchange license from OFAC for our NEEM "Seed to Plate" AG related delegations.

BUNCH

Below is an article with what I thought would be interesting information from our friend Idalmis.

 “Urban and suburban agriculture is here to stay”

Cuba now has more than 33,000 urban and suburban farms, a project the island is promoting to increase sustainable food production in an attempt to slash costly imports.

“Urban and suburban agriculture is here to stay,” the president of the Cuban Association of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians, Idalmis Nazco, said at the inauguration of the 9th International Meeting of Organic and Sustainable Agriculture in Havana.
Among the project’s advantages, the specialist noted that since its introduction more than 15 years ago, urban and suburban agriculture has proved to be a movement toward sustainable production, with community participation and the advantage of bringing the source of produce closer to the consumer.
He said there are currently more than 33,000 urban and suburban plots dedicated to growing fruit, vegetables and other edibles, according to the Institute for Fundamental Research in Tropical Agriculture.
According to Nazco, this is an experience that has caught the interest of growers and specialists in 22 countries including Canada, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, France, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Venezuela and the United States, all taking part in the meeting.
The delegates visited farms, plots, patios and agricultural cooperatives to have a direct exchange of information with the growers.

"Peak Water" - we are there

Durham is in a precarious location in relation to our aquifer (Piedmont). 

Large scale Rain water Harvesting systems must be implemented to meet agricultural and development demand.We get 48" average rainfall which is fairly significant in terms of return to capture.

We know the amount of water we remove from the aquifer in acre feet, we need to replace it. We need to practice urban and rural Aquifer Management (AM). 

In the agricultural sector we need to tie AM into and monitor evapotranspiration rates, chill units, fruit phenology, IPM, weather and soil data. Farms and each of the universities in the NC system feed information on a shared data base system. Data must be constant on a day to day basis so farms know when to water and how much. A Rain Water Harvesting system and Sustainable Orchard or Crop management program is then available that would in turn reduce inputs while advancing greater yields. IN this system there is a sustainable economic factor (jobs) as well as a sustainable agricultural management component. In addition there is an educational piece that also cannot be ignored.

Agriculture and development are the biggest draw and storm water runoff the biggest waste. Pivot irrigation is a waste. North Carolina farms will not have the option to be saved or passed on to the next generation if they don't have water.

Durham is barely on an aquifer to manage geographically

The sedimentary rocks in the Piedmont Province consist of sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, shale, and local conglomerate.We are in a weird spot. The four southernmost basins (Durham) contain water sufficient only for domestic supplies in the upper 300 feet. The rocks are similar in composition but are more compact and cemented, than those in the basins to the north. They do not yield sufficient quantities of water to be considered a principal aquifer.

Durham, Sanford, Wadesboro and Davie are all in this area and in the same circumstance.

If we want water long term for our children we have got to address Peak water" and the answer falls from the sky and harvestable. 

Durham especially needs to consider its real circumstance given our geographic location and supply compared to development and agricultural use. We are not as fortunate as areas in a less precarious position with better access.

• Rain barrels help, make sure you understand the source (roof = petrochemicals, or tin = lead). Answer to that is a flush.
• Roads require an elaborate NASA level filter system that requires maintenance but doable.
• Managing storm water? This is the largest waste of rain water inner city. We have a storm water management answer that is an awesome product using existing infrastructure and almost no containment. The answer to this is simply complex and allusive.

Large scale removal demands a large scale answer.

We need, environmentally sound, ecologically placed capture areas with conveyance to containment and direct recharge capability designed using state of the art engineering software that is tied into a computer system that monitors the water usage rate so recharge can be controlled.

All of these systems exist. No wheel needs to be invented. No elaborate and expensive systems need to be developed. They only need to be elaborate in size to meet demand using existing infrastructure in an environmentally sound way.

Jeff Ensminger

 

Urban Agroecology

In America today we are in our own version of a "Special Period" with the current financial market and crisis in which urban agroecology will have a key role.

The term ‘urban agroecology’ implies a paradox, the contrast of an urban environment devoted to industry and commerce with the tranquility of inner city farms and gardens. The healing powers of green landscape are increasingly recognized and the value of landscape in anchoring people in time and place and in developing a sense of community apparent. Urban agroecology encompasses at least seven inter-related aspects: the convergence of horticulture and applied ecology in the creation of new public landscapes, appreciation of the economic benefits of green space rather than the traditional focus on its costs, environmental education to give children a sound understanding of their place in nature, benefits to human health, the use of inner city farms and ‘gardening’  as a catalyst for economic and social cohesion, a revival in public horticulture from costly bedding schemes to wildflower or productive meadows, awareness of ‘ecosystem services’ aspect of green space for flood control, environmental amelioration and biodiversity. There are six key factors which will shape urban agroecology in this century and which will determine its contribution to civilized urban life: climate change; decreasing oil supplies; population growth; the countervailing attractions of town and country; social order or disorder and global finance.

Perhaps the black cloud of the credit crunch could have a silver lining if the reassessment of our true wealth becomes the butterfly wing redirecting our society into a more sustainable way of life.

Jeff

NEEM

www.neemtree.org

http://neemtree.blogspot.com/

Organoponico NEEM – what is Agroecology and the Cuban model

The industrial model of agriculture is in a global crisis. As resources for the production of food are compromised, the vision of ever increasing yields through industrialization of production is challenged. As a result of this crisis, the new model of agriculture, agroecology in the rural sector and urban inner city are gaining favor. The new paradigm views the farm as an eco system, and blends the technical advances of modern science with the time tested and common sense knowledge of traditional farming practices. In reality agriculture as practiced today, especially, is not really sustainable. We disrupt the fabric of the land and the natural order of things to perform it. Urban agroecological approaches must take into consideration the urban environment. Approaches to agroecology in the urban sector are similar yet somewhat different. NEEM takes a Frank Lloyd Wright approach that integrates the farm into the ecological framework so it is not disruptive, but diverse, complimentary and productive with the least amount of environmental impact. As urban agroecology gains increasing favor through grass roots and policy initiatives, the need for trained professionals and technical staff will be increasingly felt. Addressing that need now will create sustainable economies when they are needed most.

Cuba is no different than the rest of the world. However, the need was more urgently felt in Cuba two decades ago due to the fall of the iron curtain and the existing blockade. These created a crisis induced scarcity of external inputs for agriculture. Cuba returned to sustainable agriculture by default and in the process embraced it. The Agroecological approach takes sustainable AG to the next level, one that is self sustaining and ecologically sound, with infrastructure to support it and in harmony with nature.

The impacts of the industrial model are not sustainable; the increased cost is in chemical inputs and is evidenced by the increase in subsidies ten fold. Subsidies are also not sustainable. Urban Agroecology in practice and theory is sustainable at a fraction of the cost with a positive impact on the socio-economic and environmental dynamic.

The Agroecological model in Cuba is no longer theoretical. The essential area of training for transition is in place and practice.  Cuba has taken the step to become the “first sustainable society of the 21^st century”.

NEEM replicates this model because we realize that Cuba is years ahead of the curve and because their practices are ecologically sound, as the oldest and most successful agroecological model on the planet. The Cuban model is in keeping with NEEMs natural and non invasive mission. It is a model that works and that is why we follow it and give credit where it is due.

“We weave the farm into the landscape, not the land into a farm.”

Jeff Ensminger

NEEM

           

 

 

Natural Environmental Ecological Management (NEEM)

614 Shepherd St., Durham, NC 27701 (Office)

2001 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham, NC 27707 (Retail and Nursery)

Phone: 919-321-6111

Email: neem@mindspring.com

Internet: www.neemtree.org

 Wednesday, January 26, 2011

North Carolina Sustainable Agriculture Delegation in Cuba  

Two peoples with one passion separated only by distance and politics

The North Carolina delegation to Cuba has returned from a most successful research trip. Led by NEEM and hosted by Dr. Fernando Funes, we were exposed over the seven day period to the agroecological system in Cuba from A - Z.

I half jokingly mentioned that there are as many Ministries and affiliated groups in Cuba as there are Oricha (the numerous deities of a prevailing religion, Santeria) which on first appearance seemed daunting in size and scope to imagine being effective. The group learned quickly that it was a collective, each with a specific task constantly updating each other on results like dripping water that fills the pot.  We have much to share in presentations to our community in the same spirit.

What did we learn?

That since sustainable agriculture is possible on a country level in Cuba that it is also possible in North Carolina on a State wide level. That farming is food science, an art, an honorable profession that is available to us in the States as a resource for sustainable economies in the urban sector. The U.S. is not all that different than Cuba, we too are a consumer society with all of our industry gone and Agriculture the largest left that must be preserved. Our community’s notion of local is best is strengthened and that the small local system works, less susceptible to problems, and is nutritionally and ecologically sound with the lowest environmental impact and a positive effect on the carbon footprint.

Some highlights of the trip:

Dr. Fernando Funes and his staff at ACTAF briefed us on the system. This set the tone for the days ahead allowing the delegates to get a basic understanding of the model. We were honored and forever grateful to Fernando, the father of Agroecology in Cuba, for taking the time to be with us daily. Fernando, his late wife and son Fernando II are Agroecolgical giants in Cuba. My first meetings with Cuban officials in the mid nineties were in Washington with Gustavo Machin at the Interest Section. We discussed infrastructure and I expressed a fear of potential change and return to conventional systems once relations between our countries were resolved. The delegation left knowing now that measures are in place that will prevent that. This was most important to know.

Organoponicos (large and small inner city farms) – referred to as “Basic Unit of Cooperative Production” (UBPC) litter inner city Havana. They provide sustainable economies and an enormous percentage of dietary requirements of the Cuban people are met through production and distribution. We saw several but the largest (and one of the most productive and successful) was Organoponico Alamar, run by Director Salcines in Vivero neighborhood. Alamar is a completely self sufficient operation with no chemical inputs with acres of raised beds, greenhouses, composting and vermi-composting, micorrhizes, livestock, biological controls, vegetable and ornamentals etc. Alamar’s success is a reflection on a large scale of the other smaller but similar operations hiring roughly 130 people with classes, restaurant, gift shop and vegetable stand on site.

Indio Hatuey Research Station - founded in the sixties, this is the most historic but one of many places established for research in a rural setting. Hatuey is in the province of Matanzas. All work here is based on diversified agroecological systems. Research covers every aspect and investigates various crops, silvopastoral concepts (mixed crop and livestock), organoponic, microorganisms, silk worm (sericulture), forage grasses, lawn grasses, bioenergy, complimentary and companion growing, most efficient complimentary crop rotations, nitrogenification through legumes, Integrated Pest Management etc. with tests sites and field tests throughout the property. All information developed here is shared with other stations and passed down country wide to the smallest operation in the rural and urban agroceological sectors. We could have spent days here.

Foods Conservation Community Project - “Vilde and Pepe’, old friends I had not seen for 8 years who are devoted to food preservation, solar drying, canning/bottling, condiments, preserves and an undying gift to the community by this devoted couple to fostering Traditional Cuban Cuisine and maximum utilization of products produced. They spread a spirit of sharing in educational projects throughout Cuba and the global community.

Villa Hortensia – farmer and Agroecological artist par excellence Idalio Mederos. Words cannot truly relay what we witnessed here. Idalio has taken Villa Hortensia to a level that can only be described accurately in a slide or power point presentation. His farm is a visual and artistic Garden of Eden producing ornamentals. No natural stone was left unturned here, every step a visual pleasure right up to the most artistic compost pile I have ever seen. Idalio is what we would all like to be, off the grid, no computer, making his own charcoal, completely self sufficient, humble with an enormous heart. Hortensia lies outside Havana in the Artemisa municipality.

 “El Grupo Magnifico”

The delegation was diverse and comprised of North Carolina farmers, academics representing 4 major universities, NC Department of Agriculture, fund resources, Non Profit Groups, Agricultural and sustainable community consultants. Fernando Funes, our driver and Joe (our interpreter). Most were members or affiliated with CFSA and CEFS. A few were out of State invitees and either current or future collaborators with NC. We were professional, family and will work together in future collaborations; here and in Cuba. All had determined early on to share our mutual information, pictures and presentations gathered with our communities here in the States. I think I can speak for the group in that our desire is the same spirit of cooperation and sharing for the greater good that left an indelible mark on all of us.

We thank in addition: CATEC, UBPC’s, Indio Hatuey, CTA’s, INIFAT, ICAP, MINAGRI, Idalmis Nazco, Alina Martin, Ivis Cárdenas, Roberto Caballero, Egidio Perez, Director Salcines, Osvaldo Franchialfaro, Giraldo Martin, Dr. Odalys, Dr. Iglesias, Idalio Maderos, Luis Ortega, America and Carlo, Eng. Diaz, Eng. Rodriguez, Vilda and Peppe, Dr. Perez, Dr. Vazquez, Dr. Febles, Dr. Orellana, Dr. Funes Monzote II, Dr. Rodriguez-Nodals, Dr. Companoni, Dr. Cruz and Roberto Sanchez; the Hotel Nacional and its staff and the people of Cuba.

Jeffrey A. Ensminger

            Executive Director

NEEM 

 http://www.kickstarter.com/e/FxD1y/projects/neem/cuba-seed-to-plate-a-wandering-feast

  http://www.livablefutureblog.com/2011/01/shovel-ready-cuban-urban-agriculture-as-job-creator/

     http://www.cubaheadlines.com/2010/09/29/26833/north_carolina_sustainable_agriculture_delegation_in_cuba.html

                                                   

                                                                                 

                                                            

PROGRAMME OF THE TOUR OF NEEM DELEGATION TO CUBA

JANUARY 2011

 

Day  1
Saturday  January 15^th

Arrive Havana via Miami.

Morning: Orientation to Havana and to the trip itinerary in courtyard Hotel Nacional.

Lunch.

Afternoon: In Cuban Association of Agricultural and Forestry Technicians (ACTAF). ACTAF´s Conferences room, Playa Municipality, City of Havana

Ø      Welcome to Cuba. Discussion and details of the programme (ACTAF, CATEC, NEEM)

Ø      Past, present and future of Organic Farming and Agroecology Movement in Cuba / Dr. Fernando Funes – ACTAF

Ø      Programmes of Local Development (MSc Ivis Cárdenas) and Agroecology (Dr. Robertro Caballero). Evening cultural event / Paladar in City of Havana

Ø      Crops Diversified Farms (BSc Agr. Egidio Páez)

Ø      Participatory discussion 

Day 2
Sunday January 16^th

Morning: Departure from the hotel: 8:30 am

Ø      Visit to “Vivero Organopónico Alamar”, Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) – Alamar, Habana del Este, City of havana (President: BSc. Miguel Angel Salcines)

Ø      Morning: Background, Development, Technical and Economic Organization and Results of the  UBPC. Exchange and discussion. M.A. Salcines and UBPC staff.                                                                                                                 Visit to the field (gardens, raised beds, greenhouses, composting and vermicomposting, micorrhizes, animals (beef, oxen teams, poultry, rabbits, sheep, others), biological controls, vegetative reproduction, ornamentals, commercialization, micro industry,  commercialization, other aspects.

      Exchange with specialists.

Lunch: At the UBPC Alamar 

Ø      Afternoon: Tour to Old Havana Historic Shell

Ø      Evening: Free

Day 3
Monday January 17^th

Morning: Departure from the hotel: 7:30 am

Ø      Travel to San José de Las Lajas, Havana Province

Ø      Visit to “La Joya” Yard – San José de Las Lajas (Techn. Osvaldo Franchialfaro and his wife Miriam) – Innovations – Irrigation programmer (water saving), eolic and solar energy, production of seedlings, others

Ø      Travel to Jovellanos, Matanzas

Ø      “La Arboleda” Farm, CCS Nicolás Nodarse – Jovellanos (BSc Agr. Héctor Correa and his wife Odalys BSc Arts,. (Integrated farm, plants, animals, trees, pottery, handycrafts, arts)

Lunch: “Indio Hatuey”, Perico, Matanzas: 1:30 pm 

Ø      “Indio Hatuey” Research Station (Dr. Giraldo Martín, Dr. Odalys Toral, Dr. Jesús Iglesias, other members of the Staff) – Organoponic, bioenergy, efficient microorganisms, silvopastoral systems, forage grasses, legumes and other plants,  lawn grasses, sericulture – silk worm raising - , cattle, sheep, buffaloes

Exchange with scientists

Dinner, Cuban Night and lodging at “Indio Hatuey”

Day 4

Tuesday January 18^th

Morning: Departure from “Indio Hatuey”: 7:30 am

Ø      Visit to “Cayo Piedra Farm, CCS José Martí, “La Angelina”, Perico, (BSc Chem. Fernando Donis) Agricultural Farm (Wormculture, Efficient microorganisms – EM (effect on yields and pests and diseases control), crops – bananas, peppers, papaya, sweet potato, carrots, cabbage, beet, other crops and fruits)

Ø      Visit to “El Retiro Farm”, Centre for Reflexion and Dialogue, Presbiterian Church, Cárdenas, Matanzas (BSc Agr.. Juan Carlos Ortega) – Agricultural Diversified Farm (Horticultural crops, animals – cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, rabbits), orchard, soft water fishes, biogas for farm energy , micro industry of food processing, education. 

Lunch: Picnic in Royal Palms – (Lecho Asada) jungle on way back to Havana

Afternoon: Free time in Havana on return

Return to Havana

Day 5

Wednesday January 19^th

Morning: Departure from the hotel: 8:30 am

Ø      Visit to “Las Américas” Yard, Playa, C. Havana (Mrs. América Alarcón and her family) – Crops, flowers, fruit trees, swine, goats, cows, poultry, fishes, selling point (commercialization)

Ø      Visit to CTA 222 (Consultancy Agricultural Shopping), Lisa, C. Havana

Ø      Visit to the Foods Conservation Community Project “Vilda and Pepe”, Pogolotti, marianao, C. Havana (Dra. Vilda Figueroa and José Lama) – Solar drying, condiments, dressings, sauces, etc. – Discussion on healty foods

Lunch:

Afternoon: National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP), Plaza, C. Havana: 2:00 pm

Ø      Conference and Exchange with MSc. Braulio Machín and MSc. Deborah Lao – “Agroecological Programme Peasant to Peasant” and Cooperative Movement (CPA and CCS) in Cuba

Day 6

Thursday January 20^th

Morning: Departure from the hotel: 8:30 am

Ø      Visit to a farmers market- 19 Ave and b St, Vedado, Plaza, C. Havana

Ø      Visit to Organoponico INRE 1 - 44 St. corner to 5^th Ave.), Playa, C. Havana

Lunch:

Afternoon – Talks and discussions. National Hotel 2:00 pm

Ø      Ecological Pest management (Dr. Nilda Pérez, Dr. Luis Vázquez)

Ø      Organic Soil management (Dr. José M. Febles and Dr. Rosa Orellana)

Ø      Energy Efficiency in agroecological systems of production (Dr. Fernando Funes-Monzote

Early evening cultural event and free time

Day 7

Friday January 21^st

Morning: Departure from the hotel: 8:30 am

National Institute of Research on Tropical Agriculture (INIFAT) – Head of the National Programme on Urban and Suburban Agriculture

Ø      Visit to the Show Room of Urban Agriculture

Ø      Conference on Urban and Suburban Agriculture Programme (Dr. Adolfo Rodríguez–Nodals, Dr. Nelso Companioni)

Ø      Discussion

Lunch:

Ø      Visit to “Solar Rojo”, Medicinal Plants Garden in Vedado, Plaza (Osvaldo Falcón and  Armando García)

Ø      Visit to “Antonio Núñez Jiménez” Foundation for Nature and Man.

Ø      Permaculture Programme – Different Projects- Rain Water Harvesting in Cuba. (Dra. Cary Cruz and MSc. Roberto Sánchez)

Evening: Cultural events with workshop participants

Day 8                                                                                                                                                                           Saturday January 22^nd

Visits around Havana - Closing meeting for delegates at National Hotel courtyard before departure from Havana for Miami and connecting flights (early afternoon).