Wednesday December 12, 2007
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Wednesday December 12, 2007
Impressions 12-11-07
Suzanne O'Connell So far we have seen two organic vegetable operations, a vineyard, and explored Montevideo a bit. The city came alive on Monday after a sleepy weekend and people are on the street from morning until midnight. City blocks support many small businesses and the large Spanish plazas are used as neighborhood landmarks and of course history lessons! I am enjoying being in a walkable city and just as I begin to remember city life and wonder if that is the place for me we headed to the farms...
The chacras (small farms) in the outlying areas have been very impressive. All the producers are recently new to organic production (6-15 years) and are very committed despite the abscence of a price premium. This makes comparisons to the U.S. market a bit difficult as many times the economic sustainability of organic is argued to rest with the higher market prices, is it the difference in labor costs? the standard of living? or something else that makes it work here? I don't have a feel for that yet. All the growers stressed supporting habitat for beneficial insects. What impressed me most about our travels yesterday was how much life (bird, insect, plants) observed at the vineyard operation. Commercial vineyards that I have visited in the U.S. have been very manicured and sterile. Even though the entire operation was not organic due to the varying sensitivity of the the varieties to disease pressure the entire place teemed with life and no insecticides are ever sprayed. Seeing these places is simply further affirmation that environmentally sensitive practices and organic methods work in a multitude of locations and types of operation. I can't wait as we travel to the country-side later today....
Posted by soconne ( Dec 12 2007, 02:31:32 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Tuesday December 11, 2007
Frutas
Tannat winegrapes
Posted by gefernan
( Dec 11 2007, 02:35:37 PM EST )
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Tannat winegrapes
Gina Fernandez Although beef production is BIG (there will be more of that in another blog), the area within 50 km of Montevideo produces produces a fair amount fruit and vegetables that are consumed in Uruguay. The group visited several vegetable farms in the area. Along the way we also saw lots of fruit crops (my primary interest) in the fields.
So here is my dilemma...
Montevideo and Raleigh are approximately the same distance from the equator. Montevideo is 34 S and Raleigh is 35 N. Knowing that, I was expecting to see very similar types of fruit growing here, and I did. They grow peaches, grapes, pear, plums and apples here. But, citris and olives are growing in adjacent fields. I have never been to a place where a variety of pear that grows in Oregon grows next to a citrus grove. I asked the folks at INIA (a research station we visted) and they said that temperature only one of the factors that determines what can grow here. Wind (it is very windy here), soil, rainfall and the influence of the ocean and Rio Plata also figure into what can be grown here. How these all work together is something I will have to think about for awhile.
I was interested in fruit production in in Uruguay and was able to break away from the group for a day and visit fruit scientists at INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigation Agropecuaria). I met with Jorge Soria (a graduate of NCSU) and several others that have ties with NCSU. We talked about fruit, trellises, varieties and more. I also visited a small (and perhaps only) raspberry grower in the country. It was a berry good day.....
So here is my dilemma...
Montevideo and Raleigh are approximately the same distance from the equator. Montevideo is 34 S and Raleigh is 35 N. Knowing that, I was expecting to see very similar types of fruit growing here, and I did. They grow peaches, grapes, pear, plums and apples here. But, citris and olives are growing in adjacent fields. I have never been to a place where a variety of pear that grows in Oregon grows next to a citrus grove. I asked the folks at INIA (a research station we visted) and they said that temperature only one of the factors that determines what can grow here. Wind (it is very windy here), soil, rainfall and the influence of the ocean and Rio Plata also figure into what can be grown here. How these all work together is something I will have to think about for awhile.
I was interested in fruit production in in Uruguay and was able to break away from the group for a day and visit fruit scientists at INIA (Instituto Nacional de Investigation Agropecuaria). I met with Jorge Soria (a graduate of NCSU) and several others that have ties with NCSU. We talked about fruit, trellises, varieties and more. I also visited a small (and perhaps only) raspberry grower in the country. It was a berry good day.....
Sunday December 09, 2007
Organic vegetable market in Montevideo
Posted by gefernan
( Dec 09 2007, 02:39:53 PM EST )
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December 9, 2007
Blog by Nancy Creamer
Photo by Natalie Hampton
Technical Assistant Gina Fernandez
Several of us started out at 7:00 for a run or walk along the river, and after a hearty meal with good strong coffee, we boarded the bus for a relatively relaxing Sunday. With the University offices closed, we did what many do on Sunday? go to an organic farmers market, and then visit the mall (mega mall!), in this case to visit a large grocery store that carries organic produce.
Most interesting to me was the organic farmers market (loved those plums)?and listening to a producer and consumer (representing the ?Friends of? group..) share their experiences.
Interestingly, though ranked approximately 8th in the world with amount of land area certified organic (not bad for a fairly small country), they seem to have very little domestic consumption. The grocery store, while huge (maybe larger than any I?ve seen in the US), had a relatively small display of organic produce and not sure what else was on the shelves. No certified organic meat in the store, though they are one of the world?s largest suppliers of organic beef.
In speaking with the producer: domestic certification is through a participatory process with consumers, and no federal standard exists. The participatory process probably works very well as it seems to be a small close-knit group and the consumers are very involved. It would seem integrity would be high. Average farm size of the small produce producers was 8-10 hectares. They have an interest (as we do) in protecting heirloom varieties and also some question about the wisdom of GMOs. There isn?t much of a premium for organics, but selling direct increases profits significantly. (It would be interesting to learn what the price premium is for organic beef?)
We asked the growers about organic fruit production -- not much here because of the high capital costs involved and limited research to figure out how to produce organic fruit.
The consumer group was formed to help the farmer and have as their three key interests: health issues, flavor, and connecting with (and helping) farmers. The concept of CSAs isn?t developed here yet, but with consumer connections growing, perhaps this is the next step..
We did finish up on the beach, which was a nice hour to spend on a warm sunny day. Several of us picnicked in the park for dinner to slow down a little as we were recovering from a very nice filling lunch at a local restaurant provided by our hosts.
Blog by Nancy Creamer
Photo by Natalie Hampton
Technical Assistant Gina Fernandez
Several of us started out at 7:00 for a run or walk along the river, and after a hearty meal with good strong coffee, we boarded the bus for a relatively relaxing Sunday. With the University offices closed, we did what many do on Sunday? go to an organic farmers market, and then visit the mall (mega mall!), in this case to visit a large grocery store that carries organic produce.
Most interesting to me was the organic farmers market (loved those plums)?and listening to a producer and consumer (representing the ?Friends of? group..) share their experiences.
Interestingly, though ranked approximately 8th in the world with amount of land area certified organic (not bad for a fairly small country), they seem to have very little domestic consumption. The grocery store, while huge (maybe larger than any I?ve seen in the US), had a relatively small display of organic produce and not sure what else was on the shelves. No certified organic meat in the store, though they are one of the world?s largest suppliers of organic beef.
In speaking with the producer: domestic certification is through a participatory process with consumers, and no federal standard exists. The participatory process probably works very well as it seems to be a small close-knit group and the consumers are very involved. It would seem integrity would be high. Average farm size of the small produce producers was 8-10 hectares. They have an interest (as we do) in protecting heirloom varieties and also some question about the wisdom of GMOs. There isn?t much of a premium for organics, but selling direct increases profits significantly. (It would be interesting to learn what the price premium is for organic beef?)
We asked the growers about organic fruit production -- not much here because of the high capital costs involved and limited research to figure out how to produce organic fruit.
The consumer group was formed to help the farmer and have as their three key interests: health issues, flavor, and connecting with (and helping) farmers. The concept of CSAs isn?t developed here yet, but with consumer connections growing, perhaps this is the next step..
We did finish up on the beach, which was a nice hour to spend on a warm sunny day. Several of us picnicked in the park for dinner to slow down a little as we were recovering from a very nice filling lunch at a local restaurant provided by our hosts.
Sat Dec 8, 2007- Day one of trip
Michelle Schroeder-Moreno We arrived about noon (Uruguay time) and were greeted at the airport by Claudio and Jorge (UDE) and Mata (Bio Uruguay). Most of us were exhausted by the flight but still had energy to room the city. After checking in our hotel (Londen Palace, a great downtown location), a number of us made it down to the older section of Montevideo to find many people in the streets, artisians selling things and flea market by the cathedral. Montevideo is a beautiful city on the Rio Plata and the warm weather was a nice change from the cold of Raleigh.
We all met up for dinner at El Fogon (or the "house of meat" as we came to know it). Dinner was great and very filling with the wine flowing generously. It was a wonderful start to the course.
Posted by msschroe ( Dec 09 2007, 02:38:47 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [0]
Saturday December 08, 2007
Waiting at RDU airport
Posted by gefernan
( Dec 08 2007, 02:36:57 PM EST )
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Michelle Schroeder-Moreno and Lisa Forehand are discussing the trip while waiting at the RDU airport. Posted by Gina Fernandez with lots of help from Natalie Hampton. 
Saturday December 01, 2007
Packing list for Uruguay
When we were in Uruguay last March, a few us had come up with a suggested list of items (in no special order) that would be helpful on the course. I added some things I also recommend to students in my study abroad course, so not everything might apply here. I wanted to share this with all of you as we prepare this weekend.
towel- the camping, quick dry type
flash light
flip flops
universal plug adapter
field notebook and pen
universal plug adapter
field notebook and pen
work boots or shoes
rain jacket or umbrella
mosquito repellent
rain jacket or umbrella
mosquito repellent
water bottle
Imodium (because you just never know)
your business card if you have one
copy of your passport in a different place than your passport
a few field pants and shirts
at least one nice city outfit
light jacket
hat or scarf
alarm clock/watch
pocket size Spanish English dictionary
camera
Day pack or to carry camera, poncho, etc
Ziploc bags (a personal favorite, never travel without a few)
Any prescription meds or vitamins
small first aid packet (I always bring this because of little ones)
A list of "in case of contacts" including their name, phone, FAX or email
Snacks
Suerte y nos vemos viernes!
-Michelle Schroeder-Moreno
Posted by nhampton
( Dec 01 2007, 01:49:12 PM EST )
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Friday November 30, 2007
Posting schedule for Uruguay
Hi everyone,
I wanted to get our schedule for posting up here so we don't lose track on the trip. If you haven't registered for the blog yet, be sure to sign up as a user, send me your username and email address. Only a week to go!
Natalie
Posting Schedule for December 2007
7 Leave
8 Michelle Schroeder-Moreno - Adam Smith
9 Nancy Creamer - Autume Lowe - Emily Vollmer
10 Jean-Marie Luginbuhl - Ben Garland - Kevin Starr
11 Gary Bullen - Suzanne O'connell - Paul Mueller
12 Sophia Kathariou - George Place - Tiffanee Conrad-Acuna
13 Gina Fernandez - Kate Bresaw - Melissa Bell
14 Chris Reberg-Horton - Laura Vance
15 Lisa Forehand - Natalie Hampton - Martha Mobely
16 Fletcher Arritt - Mary Helen Ferguson
17 Return
Thursday November 01, 2007
Welcome to the Uruguay blog
Hi everyone,
I created this blog -- hosted by NCSU Libraries -- to provide a place to post information from and about the Center for Environmental Farming Systems' Uruguay trip, Dec. 7-17, 2007. Anyone can post comments to the site, but it would be great to have some additional contributors to post news of our travels and photos from the trip. If you would be willing to be an "author," please send me an email and I'll "invite" you to join. This can be a fun way to keep record of our trip, and if we are able to post while we travel, to keep those at home informed as well.
For more information on the trip, visit the CEFS Uruguay Web page.
If you're new to blogs, learn more at the library's Wolfblogs site.
Natalie Hampton
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Suzanne O'Connell Stucco, stone, wood, iron, political grafitti, ocean paseo, shipping containers, grime, cobblestone, tree-lined streets, hatchbacks, minitrucks, garbage horses, mopeds, plazas, statues, tango in the park everyday, glass soda bottles, water con gas, beer, wine (tannat), intestines, kidneys, obliques, mate double-fisted, shade cloth, drip tape, dark brown soil, parasitic wasps, oven birds, wildflowers, thistle, peaches, plums, pumpkin, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, garlic, dough with cheese=pizza, hay, forage, oats, wheat, metal shades on windows, sprouting eucalyptus, hydrangea, fuschia bush, palms, roses, ceibo, cactus, lobed oak, pampas, grass, tree windbreaks...............
Posted by soconne ( Dec 12 2007, 02:33:09 PM EST ) Permalink Comments [1]