Learned how to make natural plaster out of lime, sand and clay water... Earth is so cool.

Plasters can be used to seal Earthen builds and secure them against the elements 🌬️🌊

Learned how to make a cob mixture today!!! We mixed clay, sand & coconut coir to create a natural building element called COB.

Cob can be used in many ways to make Earthen builds and seal & mold your creations 🪵🪨🍂

Epic trip & tour of Mt. Pleasant Cocoa & Coffee Farm in Jamaica!!! 🍫🍫🍫
Mt. Pleasant features a lot of permacultural growing practices like chopping & dropping.

After settling in we enjoyed a trip to Duns River Falls! I climbed the waterfall's rocks until the rapids were too intense. I loved the vivid ocean water & bright sandy beach, the water was beautiful and so warm and comforting. The saline & running fresh water were optimal cleansing opportunities! 🌊

(Week 7 Sun)

On Sunday we packed up and vacated Durga's Den to our next location: ArtVark Retreat. This day was packed full of fun surprises...

(Week 7 Sat)
My classmates, teacher & I enjoyed a live concert by Prestige International, a local Jamaican reggae band. They played rock steady, reggae and dancehall with both alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages available. Fresh Jamaican patties and clay oven baked pizzas were a treat!

Hybrid method of compost: layer and aerate layers of green & brown material with manure, encased in mesh and metal wires.
Green: Freshly cut leaves and branches.
Brown: Naturally fallen and dried leaves; woody, dead twigs & mulch
Dried leaves were soaked in water.
When layering is complete water it!

(Week 7 Fri)

In my Tropical Permaculture Design Course, Week 7 has been all about Soil, the Earths translator and transporter of resources for its Atmosphere, Lithosphere & Hydrosphere.

Coconut Coir & Cow Manure are mixed together to create the perfect environment & compost for Californian Red Wriggler Worms

(Week 7 Thurs)

Hybrid Compost: Thermophylic & Johnson Su Compost Filtering

Outdoor Greenhouse & Vermi Compost; Vermi Compost Tea Aeration Techniques

Liz (One of the owners of Durga's Den: Permaculture Farm) gave my cohort and I tour of their lush oasis full of fruit trees, flowers, herbs and greens.

(Week 7 Wed)
Jamaican Papaya and Jamaican Red Apple (Malay Rose Apple; Otaheite Apple) for breakfast ❣️🍀

(Week 7 Tue)
Hi,
Since arriving to Durga's Den in Orange Hill, Jamaica my cohort and I have enjoyed an array of diverse Jamaican, mostly vegetarian meals. Our first meal we were served with meat & veggie patties with Scotch Bonnet veggie broth & fresh tropical fruit juice (mango, carrot & soursop)

Finally in Jamaica!!! What awaits is a 2 hr bus ride. It's already so hot... cant wait to settle in 😄

Just Landed in the Chicago Airport!! Can't wait to get to Jamaica :) 4 hour flight left!