Professor Brenda: Good morning everyone from beautiful Cayo District. Sadly we will be leaving this area today after spending a wonderful day visiting a Mayan community where we helped with a pesticide workshop, visited to womens co-ops and a typical Mayan farm with slash/burn techniques. Today off to Orange Walk. We have a fantastic group of students, everyone learning, loving and getting along. So many new experiences with memories for a life time.
Tom: Giday to ya. We’re learning a lot in Belize. Our guide, Kihmo Jolly and our driver, George really know their stuff…history, geology, botany, agriculture, culture, politics, etc. Our presenters have been fabulous. We’ve been on a couple of nice hikes…one yesterday in the jungle to a Mayan spring oozing out of the limestone in a narrow canyon. We saw Mayan pot shards in a farm field close by. The roosters start crowing around 2:00 AM here because they are so excited about another exciting day in this amazing land. We’re using our Spanish and picking up a little Creole…even some Rastafarian…Respect mon.
Katie, Amanda and Monica: Over the last 2 days we have visited Xunantunich, 2 women’s coops, a Mayan farm, we also attended a pesticide workshop and a disaster preparedness workshop held for the locals. We went on a hike through the jungle guided by a 14 year oldRudolpho, and his 18 year old sister Claudia, and her baby Tracy, to a natural Mayan limestone well.
Xunantunich is a Mayan ruin translating to the Stone Lady or Lady of the Rock.
The women’s coops displayed pottery that is hand crafted from clay they dig from local clay beds. They mix this with sand and water to form workable clay which they then craft into molds, hand thrown artwork and wheel thrown pieces.
The Mayan farm belonged to the 14 and 18 year olds family. There we witnessed the effects of slash and burn practice clearing. They showed us the techniques and methods they use to clear, plant, harvest and collect seeds.
Today, March 22, 2011 we are leaving Central Farm and going to Orange Walk for a couple days. We will be visiting Lamanai Ruins on the way.
Katie
Is a 24 year old AXED Grad student from Roswell, NM. Currently she is a substitute teacher and would like to aspire to a County 4-h Agent. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the variety of farm practices and methods we have seen and staying at the University of Belize Central Farm campus, according to her, “It’s like Ag Camp”.
Monica (left above)
Is a 22 year old senior studying Agricultural and Community Development from El Paso, TX. After graduation she plans to attend graduate school. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the food. “We have the best cook ever!” She absolutely loves the food here.
Amanda (right above)
Is a 21 year old senior studying Agricultural and Community Development from Aztec, NM. She is returning home after graduation to work for the City of Farmington in the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs department. Her favorite part of the trip so far has been the Mayan ruins and the campus at UB, she is most looking forward to snorkeling at the Barrier Reef.
Ramon
Is a 23 year old senior studying Agricultural and Extension Education with a minor in horticulture from Chamberino, NM. His favorite part has been seeing all of the new plants and our tour guide Kihmo.
Blake (pictured left, of course)
Is a 28 year old AXED Grad student from Western Georgia. His favorite part of the trip has been learning about all of the native plants and eating those that he is able to.
Connie
Is an AXED Grad student and is also working as a Web Master for the College of Agriculture. Her favorite parts so far include the Mayan farmers we visited, the jungle walk and the local market.
Yvonne
Is a 25 year old AXED Grad student from El Paso, TX. Her favorite part of the trip has been the Mayan ruins.
Dr. Seevers
Is about to start her 20th year teaching AXED at NMSU. She claims Las Cruces as her home and her favorite part has been watching all of our reactions as we learn and experience new things.
Dr. Dormody
Is in his 22nd year teaching AXED at NMSU and is from Carmel, CA. His favorite part of the trip is our tour guide, Kihmo Jolly.
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