Thank you Mary Reikert ,Kelli and Jerry Hinns

Nov 01, 2010

This time I chose to distribute seeds of Mary Reikert, Kelli and Jerry Hinns at Shiekha Thee Dhok.

This locality is situated in Chak Shazad where I live.

Chak Shazad has very interesting history. It is farming area of capital city Islamabad. These farms had originally been allotted as compensation to those locals who were evicted from their properties in the 1970s and 80s when Capital Development Authority was in the process of developing new capital Islamabad. Most of these allottees eventually sold these farms at prevailing exorbitant market rates.

People residing in Chak Shazad farm area can now be categories into two type.

The original farmers are who have been living in this area for centuries and people like us who acquired land from locals or Capital Development Authority.

This place has become an abode for retiring generals, politicians who have built very extravaganza farm houses with stables, swimming pools golf courses and mini zoos.

Living along them are not so rich and mighty like me who bought farm just because we wanted to live close to nature.

Then there are extremely poor local farmer’s .Although the price of their agriculture land has increased exorbitantly but they are the true farmers and refuse to sell their way of life for money. The money they would get if they sell their land would be enough to live rest of their life in comfort.

It’s very strange that these poor farmers live in close proximity of extremely rich ex presidents of Pakistan, retired generals, big business man and politician.

Sheika Dee Dohk is a locality close to house of former president of Pakistan General Pervaiz Mussharaf. .Here all farmers belong to same clan.Their way of life is only farming.

During last one year bout of drought and floods caused huge losses to these people. They till their own land and when you drive through this posh locality you can see a local poor farmer with dirty clothes tilting his land and on other hand the new rich owners passing by in their limousines.

I had arranged an educational trip of a school of Islamabad to a dairy farm .I thought that this trip is good opportunity for me to promote home kitchen gardening. So I made it point to have the seeds distributed by these 2 grade school children of Islamabad.

The children arrived at my place I gave them brief introduction about home kitchen gardening .I showed them advantage of kitchen gardening and my little lemon tree was a good example. I Also showed them different vegetables growing in my kitchen garden and the children took keen interest in kitchen gardening

The children did not know that all these vegetable can grow in their our backyard. They thought that only flowers grow in lawns,

After this brief introduction at my place we went to dairy farm and then to Sheika Dee Dhok.

Children participated in seed distribution and poster holding. with great enthusiasm

It was a very difficult job to make these excited school children hold poster give seeds and make them look at the camera.

We all enjoyed this whole outing very much and had a great day.

THANK YOU MARY REIKERT , KELLI AND JERRY HINNS FOR YOUR FREE SEEDS.

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MARY RIEKERT SEED FOR FLOOD AFFECTED POOR FARMER OF PAKISTAN.

Marry I made 8 packages comprising of 4 packets each to be distributed among eight farmers. Out of theses eight packages I have distributed seven. One is left to be distributed ,which I will do this week.

1…Dwarf beans /Climbing beans (Purple King 2/Bountiful Butter 2/String less

Pioneer 1/Hawkesbury Wonder 1/Brown Beauty 2) ------ 8 ---Packets

2...Dwarf Peas (Earlicrop Massey) ---------------------------------------------2---Packets

3...Sweet Corn (Honeysweet) ---------------------------------------------------2---Packets

4…Pumpkin (Queensland Blue 2/butternut 1/Golden Nugget 1) ----------4---Packets

5…Onion (Brown Spanish 2/Sweet Red 1) -----------------------------------3---Packets

6…Carrot (Manchester Table1/Western red 1/ All Seasons 1) -------------3---Packets

7…Cabbage (Sweet Eureka 2) --------------------------------------------------2---Packets

8…Zucchini (blackjack 1/Lebanese 1) -----------------------------------------2---Packets

9…Turnip (Purple Top White Globe 2) ----------------------------------------2---Packets

10...Beetroot (Derwent Globe) ---------------------------------------------------1---Packet

11...Radish (Gentle Giant) --------------------------------------------------------1---Packets

12…Spring Onion------------------------------------------------------------------1…Packets

13…Silver Beet (Ruby Chard) ---------------------------------------------------1---Packet

14…Leek (Welsh Wonder) -------------------------------------------------------1---Packet

15…Italian Tomato (Burke’s Backyard) ----------------------------------------1---Packet

16…Watermelon (Sugar baby) ---------------------------------------------------1---Packet

17…Cucumber (Lebanese) --------------------------------------------------------1---Packet

18…Eggplant (Blacknite) ---------------------------------------------------------1---packet

Total--------------37---Packets

Sent …14/10/10 – (from Australia) ------------Received--22/10/10(Pakistan/Islamabad)

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KELLI AND JERRY HINN SEEDS FOR FLOOD AFFECTED POOR FARMERS PAKISTAN

Kelli and Jerry Hinns I made eleven packages of your seeds comprising of 3 packets of each .Since more packets were made from your open pollinated larger packs . These have been distributed among eleven farmers all together.

1…Chives (bulb forming non onion) -------------------1-- packet

2…Aji flor peppers (small Pepper lo k like flowers)--1-- packet

3…Red velvet Okra (best eaten when small) -----------1---packet

4…Purslane (wild purslane grows naturally)-1---packet

5…Sesame (dark Lander mix) ----------------------------1 packet

6…Sesame (land race) --------------------------------------1…packet

7…Tomatoes (Depps pink firefly 1/Mixed up tomatoes seeds 1/Debarao black 1/Clear pink eary 1/Roma tomatoes 1/Red cherries mix 1/Fresto heart shape tomatoes 1/Speckled

Roma 2/Black cherry 2/Yellow pear 1/-------------------12---packets.

8…Marigold (tall) --------------------------------------------1---packets.

9…Mustard (Florida broad leaf/Southern Giant) ----------2…packet large

10…Turnip (Purple/Green) -----------------------------------2---packet large

11…Red yard long beans (snake beans)…………………1---packet

12…Fenugreek--------------------------------------------------1---packet

13…Dwarf Greek Basil-----------------------------------------1---packet

14…Kale blur scotch curly-------------------------------------1---packet large

15…Water melon (sugar baby) --------------------------------1---packet large

16 Detroit dark red beet------------------------------------------1---packets large

17…Mint spearmint-----------------------------------------------1---packet

18…Basil Genovese Italian--------------------------------------1---packet

Total-------------------------------------------------31---packets

Other two items besides seeds

19…Floating Row Cover for gardens—(size5 ft.4in X 50 ft) ---1---packet

20 …Packets of paper envelopes for seeds

Sent –12/10/10 Cincinnati USA--------Received---22/10/10--Pakistan/Islamabad

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Salma

Hi, I am from Pakistan. For years I've wanted to live closer to nature instead of in a house or apartment. When time came for us to buy home we opted to buy a farm and live close to the...

Comments

Mary Riekert

Tue, 11/02/2010 - 16:56

It is so much better to give people the means to grow their own food rather than just giving only aid handouts. I am so glad the seeds got to you and I hope that they are varieties that will grow there.

Salma

Wed, 11/03/2010 - 23:33

All seeds sent by Mary Reikert were of YATES .Hybrid.

Susan E. Roth

Wed, 11/03/2010 - 05:34

I just wanted to thank Salma - not only for the great job she is doing distributing seeds, but also for sharing the history and other stories of her country. I love reading everything - the more we know about each other, the more we can see just how much all of humanity has in common. I had to chuckle at the comment made about the children thinking that only flowers grow on their lawns. The children I taught, did not even realize that food had to be grown! I was blessed in the last school I worked, before my disability set in, with a wonderful space for a garden. We used the heirloom vegetables and herbs in our daily culinary lessons. I was lucky because the garden was in a protected area, with lots of sun, so we were harvesting many things through December, and even some really hardy things- like the parsley and thyme throughout the winter. It is so important to involve children in the process of growing and preparing food. It is wonderful to see Salma and the students she is working with distributing the seeds. I am sure the children will never forget these wonderful lessons. Salma, this project really gives me hope that someday we can have a world of peace. Green Blessings to all, Susan

Salma

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 05:50

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito. ~Betty Reese I'm overwhelmed and honored by all the words of appreciation and support. I want to thank you all from bottom of my heart for your genuine concern for flood affected farmers in Pakistan. Your support kindness and generosity in form of free seeds have touched a lot of people personally. You have no idea how much your free seed contribution has helped poor farmers. I want to thank you all for your sincere efforts to help others who are going through one of life's most difficult traumatic experiences It's a comfort to know that there are individuals who feel this pain, understand and seem to care. You are right Susan. This project may be small but it has bought people from diverse culture to get involved in a common cause for benefit of humanity. Children are future of this planet earth and what we sow today we shall reap tomorrow. If we teach them the joy of sharing with grace, the coming generation will live in peace prosperity and tranquility which so many of us missed altogether. Please rest assured that your donation in form of free seeds is worthwhile. It will make all the difference. Green peace to all.

Maxine Walker

Wed, 11/03/2010 - 07:23

I agree with everything you said about Salma and her posts Susan, what a woman! The avenue I am working through to promote children's education and participation in school gardens is the worldwide Transitions Initiative through our chapter here in WA. transitionsnoqualmievalley.ning.com. When people UNITE to achieve a goal it can be a powerful force for good. There is much to be done and it won't come from the top down. KGI members could look for opportunities to promote school gardens in there communities too, through school boards, PTA associations, etc. As an added benefit, healthy diet vs our contaminated food supply and junk food offered by the food industry can be incorporated. Children who are informed are the future citizens who will vote with their dollars to create the changes we would like to see.

Joel LeGrand

Wed, 11/03/2010 - 17:12

I have always believed that the children were our present & future. Your lawn for flower comment reminds me of an old saying. Give a child a potato & he will eat for a day. Teach a child to grow a potato & he will eat for the rest of his life. author unknown Thank you for the work & for sharing your country with us. To see our children grow & be happy is another thing all of humanity has in common.

Susan E. Roth

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 07:06

I just found a program to work with in my area- it not only involves teaching gardening, but also food preparation. I will keep you updated on how it works out. I do not expect to be placed until the spring, but am really looking forward to this great volunteer opportunity. The groups will be no larger that 15 people in a class, and I am not sure about the details for the gardening program, but what a great chance to make a real difference!

Maxine Walker

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 08:32

Super Susan! Next March also, I am organizing a Grow Your Own Food event at our local senior center presented by Transition Gardening and Community Gardening groups. We will emphasize what can be done no matter how small the space and getting together with others to share. We will show seniors how to use containers to grow an amazing amount of greens, tomatoes etc. The public will be invited too and encouraged to join community gardening sites and/or plan and plant home gardens. I have been spreading the word about KGI too - wonder if a "beginners" section with all appropriate info would be too unwieldy to establish?

david e kelley

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 08:57

I seem to recall a beginning gardeners group, or a forum for beginning kitchen gardeners on the old site. Since I can no longer get into the site, a new group would probably generate a lot of interest. Think about starting one. Keep up the good work. By the way, the SamE seems to help. Stay natural, David

Maxine Walker

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:02

Good David, Jarrow Formulas SamE 400 mg, 2X daily with Jarrow Glucosamine Chondroitin with MSM, 2-2X daily (iherb.com) has completely arrested my arthritis symptoms so I'm posting it again for any who may be interested. If a Beginners group was started it would be a real chore to collect what has been already posted that would be relevant so we could answer as the questions came up or possibly post any concise instuctional information we would like to contribute. I see this as a reference to offer in classes held or other events where we are introducing gardening. So many gardening sites seem somewhat impatient with "dumb" questions being asked or ask the inquirer to reference back material they find difficult to navigate to answer a question, (like the "help" on Windows : ) Thoughts anyone?

Susan E. Roth

Mon, 11/08/2010 - 10:41

I do not know if we need to start a group specifically for beginners, but find a way to encourage them to become part of the group- maybe some kind of "welcome" group or a page that is easily accessable explaining how to be part of the Kitchen gardener's. Try to make us not look intimidating. Your protocol from arthritis pain looks very interesting, Maxine. I have been working with chloryphyll and one of the Hylands homeopathic remedies because I still get feet and leg cramps sometimes, despite my dietary changes. I am ready to give the Glousamine and Chondrotin ( sorry if I murdered the spelling) another try. Although I have a very good pharmacist who is very knowledgable about alternative medicines and carries very high grade supplements- I did not have any success with that combo before. Now that my diet is a lot cleaner, and the inflammatory pathways are functioning better, I should give it another try. I need to add SAM-e too- that has been on my list for a while. I do not know what age the gardener's will be (that I will be working with )- whether I will be working with elementary, middle, or high school students, or even adults. But that brings up another area- do we have a group for teachers and students? Should we try and start one? Just putting some ideas out there!

You can grow your own food. We can help.

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