Support Organic Farming for Native Americans

As much as we like to believe, even automated watering systems and a good amount of sunshine will not make a garden grow. Solar Warrior Farm is lucky to have wonderful people who come to weed, harvest, cook and share the vegetables with local families. Volunteers make the difference between a good year and a great year. This has been a great year so far.

This summer we had the privilege of having Anna Dunlap on board as garden coordinator-in-residence. Anna is an education major from Berea College in Kentucky and an experienced farmer. As many of you know, visiting the RCREC often means getting your hands dirty with mudding walls, gathering firewood, feeding the compost bins, washing dishes, pulling weeds and bringing in armfuls of produce. Anna never hesitated to jump in and give the RCREC some TLC along with the SWF. She made friends in the community and was always ready to serve others. She has now returned to her studies for the year, and many people in the Pine Ridge community miss her kind and generous presence.

Many weeks over the summer, SWF has also been the delighted host for volunteer groups who stayed at the Sacred Earth Lodge – our first year having guests – as well as volunteers who came once a week from RE-MEMBER, another local non-profit doing good things in Pine Ridge. In the past, Lakota Solar Enterprises and Trees, Water & People have helped bring supplemental solar heating to RE-MEMBER’s office building, and in turn, have been the guest at their cultural sharing nights for dinner on several occasions. The volunteers from RE-MEMBER not only worked hard to keep the garden going, but also enjoyed the pleasures of a swim in the creek to celebrate.

As harvest time continues, we welcome a new intern – Dan Hartman-Strawn – who has been a regular volunteer with RE-MEMBER. He will be staying at the RCREC for the fall, watching over the garden and helping where he can.

We are incredibly lucky to have such good people making good things possible both on location and through their continued generosity of time, talents and money. Coupled with technology and good weather means a good year turned into a great year. Yakoke, many thanks, friends and supporters from GlobalGiving!