Hickman’s donates fertilizer to... |
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Hickman's recently donated 13 bags of fertilizer to the Yarnell Community Garden
Dear Larry –
I will be sending a more formal thank you note to you and Hickman Family Farm, but I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciated Hickman Family Farm’s generous gift of the chicken fertilizer. The Garden Gang was truly impressed with the volume, and are looking forward to having much improved growing potential with better soil.
Don’t know if you ever get up to Yarnell, but it’s a lovely place to cool off in the summer! We’ll be doing a hayride & barbecue as a Garden benefit on July 31, so if there’s any chance you and your family would like to join us for that – and check out the Yarnell Community Garden Project – we’d love to include you!
Thanks again, Larry. Hope you have a great week-end.
Sincerely,
Frances Lechner
Member Relations Manager
United Dairymen of Arizona
P.O. Box 26877
Tempe, AZ 85285-6877
PH: 480-966-7211
Fax: 480-317-9764
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Somali Bantu Famers Say
“Asantu” (Thank You)
23 Somali Bantu farmers -- former refugees who had spent 12 years in camps in Africa – have turned desert land that is held by the Native Americans in the far East Valley near Maricopa into an abundance of zucchini, melons, okra, and much more. Hickman’s was proud to be on hand this spring during the planting season with 22 tons of fertilizer pellets, which we contributed to augment the efforts of the farmers. In the end, the wonderful produce is the result of the connecting of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), African farmers, Native American land owners, and third generation egg farmers. (Who knew that okra could be so international?)
The results have been amazing, and it is no wonder that the Somali Bantu are revered as fine farmers. Each IRC farmer has his or her own half acre, and they do many of the tasks by hand associated with growing organic produce. To a person, they refuse to use many methods or tools that they believe might waste seed. Water is gotten to the plots by way of flood irrigation.
Compared to delivering eggs to food banks – which we are honored to do several times a year – fertilizer donations present their own unique challenges. Just what is required of a donation of more than 20 tons of fertilizer, besides the fertilizer? A 48-foot truck is just for starters, and is joined by a front end loader with a scoop, spreader, and enough personnel (at least three) required to get the job done.
The Somali Bantu farmers are eager to increase their plot sizes and their production. One man said, “I would like 60 or 80 more acres, and some people to help me. We could do a lot more out here.”
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. It is currently at work in more than 40 countries and in 22 United States cities. For more information, about the IRC, visit the www.irc.org.
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Estrella Mountain Elementary
In addition to the IRC farm plots, the grounds of a local grade school (Estrella Mountain Elementary) have been greened up with a donation of Hickman’s fertilizer. Remarked one Hickman employee, “Fertilizer completes the circle of life. It helps new life begin, and recycling means that we waste nothing at Hickman’s.
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Hickman’s donates fertilizer to Cactus High School
These pictures are from Cactus High School. Hickman's Fine Fertilizers donated a couple of tons last fall. They put in a new irrigation system and seem to be pleased with the results.
The results are remarkable. Click images to enlarge.
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