Farming everyday here on The Flowing River farm inc. My husband and sons have been getting up at 5 am to plant all our plantains. He is in pain by the time he is done because of his bad back but he takes his meds, gets a nice rub down and does it again the next morning. I hope we will be finished planting no later then Friday. The land was cleared last month and we purchased the seeds about a week or two later because we had a small drought and then lots of rain. So we waited so the seeds wouldn't rot. So far so good. We bought and put up surveillance cameras to further secure the farm and our equipment. We bought a farm pick up truck but it still has to be put on the road. I can't wait to go to the nurseries in it and pick out some really great things to plant. everything in it's time. We haven't been able to post a good farm video our camera is not working. But I did set up our YouTube page. It is Memorial day and the kick off for summer. I am looking forward to a great summer this year.

Farm equipment

Lots have happened since my last post. We entered a New year of farming joyful bliss. In January we signed for our farm loan and it has been so great. We bought a tractor, a post hole digger, and a cultivator. We started putting up fencing to secure our animals. We have been really busy but we couldn't be happier. My kids wanted to make a video for this post so I will be making our YouTube pg today.

The Flowing River farm Mission statement

To provide food in a community which relies heavily on imported foods from other countries and other parts of the Island. We are located in the mountains in Puerto Rico and there are not enough farms growing food here. If a disaster were to happen we are at risk of not being able to get food into our town. The issue is one that needs a tremendous amount of attention from the government both local and state. Permaculture not only is a way to produce food in abundance it preserves the natural environment around us and promotes good soil. Permaculture could solve the mountains problems with landslides and save us from droughts in very dry seasons. We believe with all our hearts that God wants us to care for the earth and care for each other. Based on Genesis 1:28 Where he gives us the earth to have dominion over it , and When Jesus said to peter in John 21:15-17 to feed and tend his lambs/sheep. We believe that this is as much natural food as it is spiritual food. Just as Jesus himself fed the people both spiritually and naturally Matthew 15:29-38. We hope to be pleasing to God in all we do by honoring him in our business.

More river photos

Winds of change

It is April and The feeling of spring is delightful. The kids and I are excited to plant this year. We want to sow carrots, onions, lettuce, eggplant, spinach,squash, casava (Yuca), and more. We have been harvesting lots of eggs lately from our chickens. We acquired more chickens this winter and so far they have been great. In years prior we had to cut a path through the woods to get to the river. Now we have a road that was just finished yesterday. That is a great move forward.I'll post pictures. We should be getting a mini digger soon from a grant my husband applied for. We will be planting an acre of plantains (Platanos)  from that grant. Things are so looking up. :) Mama Farmer

Keep going forward

My Husband and I moved to the Island of Puerto Rico in the beginning of 2005. We Morgaged Ten acres on a 38 acre lot. Our intentions were to start a family farm. Since then we have had many bumps in the road to success but we don't plan on giving up. It's been 7 years and we have built a house, we have a bunch of animals, and some trees planted.The bulk of our plans have not been realized. The bulk of the plan was in aqua-ponics and we haven't been able to get one small system up and running yet. We have been trying to get government funding to help get things started. We received some money for drums, cisterns, a pump,and pipes. We need to get more funding for the gravel, wind mill for alternative power and, to dig a well for a better source of water. The animals we have are chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, sheep, a cow, and some horses. We desperately need fencing to protect our property because we have had theft in the past. I am starting this blog with my kids which I home school and would like to document their farming experience, their growing knowledge of sustainable living,  and our progress in this adventure. I hope people will enjoy reading about us and give us tips on how we can improve in any area.  Mama farmer