Aquaponics at Finca de Hogar
It started years ago with a "seed" of thought in the minds of Tim and Dena. "We have plenty of room. Wouldn't it be great to use our land to grow our own food?" (Tim has farming in his blood, having grown up on a farm in Beltrami, MN.)
Like all things that grow it took some time for the thought to sprout! Now it is beginning to grow...fast! We have a great beginning for FINCA de HOGAR (Farm of the Home.)
Aquaponics is a new idea for us. Basically it is an enclosed system with a tank of fish (usually Tilapia) and vegetable growing areas called "beds." Water leaves the fish tank "fertilized" from the fish waste and cycles over to grow-beds where it provides the nutrients for growing peppers, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, and more. Water that's been "cleaned" by the plants returns to the fish tank aerated and cleaned for the fish. This will produce organic vegetables for our children that are larger and richer in nutrients, as well as being almost free!
We will also be implementing some different and new growing strategies like "potato towers", upside down tomatoes and strawberry barrels. In the back of the Hogar de Vida compound near the creek we have a couple of acres of flat land that we will utilize for more standard crops like corn and yucca, a starchy root plant, also called cassava. Our hope is to run some free range chickens and maybe a pig or two as well.
The proceeds from this year's Atenas Chili Cook-Off (see article below) was enough to buy a tractor for Finca de Hogar and begin the first phase of the Aquaponics project, a new greenhouse style roof. With some wonderful help from The Besom Group in the UK we have enough to complete phase one and half of phase two! Phase two would be doubling the size of phase one. Each phase is 8 grow beds and 100 Tilapia with a clear plastic roof.
We began clearing land, cutting bamboo, pouring concrete and raising the roof for our new grow bed area. Teams have been working to clean the barn, remove trees (that we cut into boards for later use) and generally prepare the land for the new farm. We are digging, welding, planning and putting our new tractor to good use.
All this is made possible through donations and volunteers like you. We keep dreaming and the LORD keeps providing. We look forward to you coming for a visit and to be a part of our farm family here at Hogar de Vida, Costa Rica.
Hoover (Steve Hoover)
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9th Annual Atenas Chili Cook-Off:
Proceeds Help Launch Finca de Hogar
Years ago a group of "gringos" living here in Atenas, Costa Rica started a friendly competition to settle an important disagreement, that is, who makes the best chili? It wasn't long until they realized that the competition could be so much more than a contest for chili bragging rights. They had the idea that a chili cook-off could be a fantastic fundraiser and that the proceeds would benefit the children at Hogar de Vida. The Atenas Chili Cook-Off (CCO) has grown in size and fun. It has become Atenas' biggest event of the year and draws contestants and chili-lovers from all over Costa Rica, with occasional contestants and visitors coming from other continents.
Over the years, the CCO has supported Hogar de Vida's annual operating expenses, bought stuff for kids and poured concrete. They had a major role in paying for the security wall including the new entrance gate. The security wall is now complete, stretching from the front gate all the way back down to the creek, so that the children and staff can live and serve - and farm! - in a completely safe and secure compound.
This year, the Atenas Chili Cook-Off raised enough money to purchase an essential piece of farm equipment - a tractor - with enough left over to begin the building project.
We thank the CCO team for their service to Hogar de Vida, to our children, and to the Atenas community. Partnership of this kind is so encouraging, infectious, and a wonderful blessing.
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Children of Promise International (COPI) does not provide goods or services in consideration, in whole or in part except where noted, for contributions received. COPI is organized exclusively for religious purposes and the only benefit provided to you is an intangible religious benefit. Upon receipt of a donation, a receipt letter is sent and should be retained for income tax purposes. COPI may direct contributions where deemed necessary for ministry purposes. All contributions are income tax deductible in the United States and are made with the understanding that COPI has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.
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