Week 46 - Farmer's Day, Gardener Jordan & My Grandfather

This week we had a Ghanaian holiday!  We love having a day off now and then!!

National Farmers' Day 

The official Farmer’s Day in Ghana is on the first Friday in December, December 3 this year, celebrates the country’s farmers and fishermen. The agricultural industry contributes at least 20% to 30% of revenue to the country’s socio-economic fronts. The import and export business generates an income for many households, and allows the economic industry to thrive. However, issues, such as climate change, have had a negative impact on the industry. The agricultural industry faced similar challenges during the early 1980s but fought hard to grow it, which led to the observance of Ghana Farmer’s Day. It’s a day to recognize and award the hard work of farmers and fishermen.

The first Farmer’s Day in Ghana was instituted in 1985. It was created by the Provisional National Defense Council, which, at the time, made up the whole of Ghana’s administration. The day came as a result of the 30% growth of the farming industry the year before. The country suffered from severe droughts in the early 1980s, which impacted crop yields. Ghana, which was largely dependent on the farmers to feed the nation, faced starvation and malnutrition. On the economic front, the country’s G.D.P. was also suffering immensely. However, the drought ended in 1984 and the country slowly recovered, recording an impressive 30% growth in the industry. The fisheries also flourished at the time. In order to recognize the plight and hard work of all Ghanian farmers and fishermen, the politicians decided to hold a Ghana Farmer’s Day every first Friday of December. During the election years, the day is moved to the first Friday of November.

Several activities take place throughout the day, and one of the most notable is the award ceremony that recognizes the best farmers and fishermen. Judges note and follow all the registered participants’ progress throughout the year. The judging categories include technological use, husbandry, and ecological awareness. In the first year, the winning farmer was awarded a radio, Wellington boots, and machetes. As the years passed, the awards grew in value and one of the most expensive awards was a three-bedroom house.

GARDENER JORDAN

You may remember that a few months ago, Jordan got the gardening bug here in Ghana.  We went to the store, purchased several planting pots, garden soil and seeds.  The immediate success of growth was awesome!  Then, little by little, our beautiful tomato plants began to struggle.  Not considering surrender, Jordan continued to water and care for those 5, then 4, then 3 tomato plants.  Part of the problem is the patio climate.  Our AC units blow hot air across the small patio.  Also, the huge tree just acorss from our patio does not allow much sunlight to reach the plants.  The final 2 plants hung in there for quite some time.  In fact, they struggled and lasted until just a couple of weeks ago.  Here is the yield from months of attention... 2 non-edible tomato buds that were smaller than a cashew.  Gardener Jordan was not very happy with the yield and would likely have not received any awards on Farmer's Day.  However, I give him solid credit for effort!!  He never missed a day in tending to those plants!!!!

We did have a basil plant that went strong and delivered much goodness to many a meal for a few months.  There was also a random weed/flowering plant that was a volunteer from the purchased soil that "grew like a weed" and is still going, without much attention!  The small purple flowers are fantastic and bring me great joy!

MY GRANDFATHER

The earliest memory I have of gardening has to be with my Grandfather Christensen.  Every year we would drive from Portland to Alberta, Canada to visit my grandparents.  My paternal "Card" grandparents lived in Raymond, in town.  My grandmother Card had a beatuiful flower garden that was admired by all who passed by.  My maternal "Christensen" grandparents lived in Magrath, on a 500 acre farm.  Every year, we would arrive mid summer, when the garden was well into the season.  I would walk with my grandfather, gathering pea pods, beans and berries (at least that is all my young mind can remember).  There is nothing quite as tasty as fresh produce, straight from the garden!  After shelling the peas, we would make small "pea pod boats" to float down the watering ditch, fully intact with small sticks to hold the sides open and create miniature benches.  We would sit on the porch and snap the ends off the beans for hours.  Wow... good memories!  My favorite had to be the result of picking many raspberries, as my grandmother would make what they all referred to as Red Moosh, a traditional Danish Red Berry dessert or (RØDGRØD MED FLØDE). 

One of these days, I MUST recreate it!!

I hope our children and grandchildren will remember their father's and grandfather Powell's amazing garden from Alpine.  Jordan spends hours and hours in that garden, and some of the best produce in the world comes out of it!  Truth!!!

May your December be filled with joy and gladness!  The holidays are here!!

Much love from Ghana!

💓💛💚