Granja Agroecologica - ACJ-YMCA Medellin, Colombia (By Coel Balmer, YMCA of Greater Toronto - 2014 Henry Labatte Scholarship)
Driving up to the mountains and away from the busy city life I was quickly delivered to paradise. The ACJ/YMCA of Medellin’s Granja Agroecologica (Agro-ecological Farm) is a unique and memorable place.
The ‘Farm’ is located near the top of one of the mountains between the beautiful small towns of La Ceja and La Union only about an hour and a half drive from the large city of Medellin. The property is on the inside of one of many large curves in the road. The middle of which drops to a lush valley of trees yet open enough to get a great view of the mountains and valleys of Colombia in the distance. It is not a huge property but they [ACJ] have filled every bit of space with useful or productive ideas.
All of the produce they make on site is fully organic. They make their own pesticides using some hot peppers (they also use these to make a great hot sauce) and work their crops by hand. The farm produces a huge variety of fruits, vegetables, flowers and plants, most of which are grown from seed or seedling on site and transplanted, when ready, to their fields or greenhouses. They have a very active worm and compost system that helps break down a lot of the waste on site and it is so rich in nutrients that they are able to sell the compost to neighbours. It is also home to goats, chickens, rabbits and, until they are adopted, six hilarious puppies.
The main building serves many needs. It has the ability to sleep 30 people in 4 separate rooms and has three full washrooms. There is also a small kitchen and a living/dining room with a stone fireplace in the middle as the nights can sometimes get a bit cold. One side of the building is a large classroom which can be used for a wide range of programs or activities. It is tough however to stay indoors as the outside is booming with life and there are so many things to see. It doesn’t take long sitting down on one of the many benches for you to spot a rare bird, interesting bug or a view you haven’t seen before.
The programs being run at the farm are just as impressive as the surroundings. They are only beginning to get busy but their programs have been impacting youth and educating everyone that comes to site in such a positive direction. The Farm has an amazing reputation in their community and they work with 8 schools in the area. They also visit schools directly to help them get their own gardens/farms going on their own property. They have divided up some of the land for demonstrations, training and also some produce for sale (or eating). The participants can learn, get their hands dirty and even see the final production in a short time here. Their education programs have been working with youth for years now and have created some very impactful stories, including youth returning to their family farms to educate their parents about how you can grow more than one product, do it naturally and enjoy the benefits of a farm that supplies more for itself. They have also seen youth being inspired by their experience go on to university for environmental or agricultural programs. Their teachings are also not focused just on rural settings but they have developed some great ideas on how to bring agriculture to the small confines of an urban environment. This will hopefully continue to develop and help families compensate their food needs in growing cities. While participants are on site they will also learn about how to maintain some productive animals and how to do so in a free range environment. On top of all of that they manage to work with participants on communication, team building and fun programs. Helping groups work better together and learn about themselves and what they can contribute to a team. They run programs for youth to adult, or corporate trainings and have an open door to teach to whoever is ready to learn.
While staying at Granja Agroecologica you are also treated to some of the best meals and staff you can find anywhere. Most of the meals served have items picked or produced that day on site and you can taste the difference. I have never had strawberries that sweet and I have a new favourite fruit, Uchuva! The menu serves up some traditional Colombian dishes by some of the nicest people around. It really feels like you are being treated to a family dinner at every meal and I was excited and impressed with everything that was served. You can see the hard work and the love that the staff have towards everything they do. The staff are very proud of what they are doing and are willing to show you every part of the systems they have created.
The farm has everything it needs to continue to grow and impact more participants over the years to come. My experience was something I will never forget and I can’t wait to return again, not only see what they are up to now but also to enjoy what I consider a hidden paradise!
