How do I even begin writing about this experience? At this point, we all know blogging is pretty low on my list of things I enjoy doing (actually writing in general is) …but that’s beside the point. I’ve had many people ask how my trip was…. likely expecting to hear exciting stories about animals, agriculture, sunsets and people. These were all actually pretty interesting and exciting to see and experience (I’ve got tons of pictures to prove that); however, I keep thinking about the vast differences between the Kenyan people and those here in the United States.
The International Seminar for VALOR is intended for Agricultural Leaders to learn about agriculture in other countries. We in fact learned a great deal about agriculture in Kenya including livestock management, crop production, labor and weather issues. This seminar also provides the opportunity for us to learn from leaders around the world. We learned from those who think outside the box and, against all odds, persevere for the betterment of agriculture and their community.
We traveled for two weeks visiting six different areas. Beginning in Nairobi, we traveled to Laikipia, Nanyuki, Mount Kenya, Nakuru and Naivasha. The overwhelming concern within each farm and business we visited was sustainability and conservation. Many jobs were completed by hand with very little machinery. Their access to labor and difficulty having machinery shipped to them necessitates this time-consuming work. With the dry weather and consistently warmer temperatures, crops and cattle were rotated to help support the soil system, allowing valuable nutrients to be replenished.
As far as livestock go, the major breed of cattle we observed were Boran. This breed is hardy! They are able to drink water in the morning before going out to graze all day in the sun, with no need for another drink until the herdsman brought them back in the evening. We also saw plenty of sheep, goats, chickens and hogs along with dairy cattle. One dairy herd we visited utilized a mobile milking unit…going to each pasture where the cattle were twice a day to milk. The trailer, in our eyes, seemed extremely antiquated….but worked well for their operation. Additionally, many herds or flocks of livestock were grazed on the sides of the road…utilizing every bit of grass and pasture that they could. It was incredible to hear how they have been able to raise livestock harmoniously with the wildlife. Let’s remember, their wildlife includes elephants, lions, cheetahs, zebra, kudus, impalas, warthogs, giraffes and many other large and small animals alike. This is mostly due to the fact that each species has a “herdsman” that stays with them 24/7 to watch over them and direct them where to graze.
Crops in this region included wheat, barley, canola, peas, chickpeas, sunflower, sorghum and maize. Maize was the most popular as it’s utilized in animal feeds, but is also a staple in the Kenyan diet for making ugali (https://tasteoftheplace.com/ugali-kenyan-cornmeal/ ). Additionally, hay and many acres of alfalfa (lucerne) are grown for animal feed. Many fields are weeded and where possible, harvested by hand with all of the labor being local. What I found most fascinating about the crops in Kenya was the production of flowers and roses. The businesses we visited shipped roses all over the world and included hundreds of varieties along with custom varieties created by their customers. Flowers were graded and pollinated by hand, with seed collection being done by hand as well. It was absolutely amazing to watch how quickly the employees worked and how delicately they handled the flowers.
The most fascinating stop was a company called Dudutech, Africa’s leader in Integrated Pest Management (https://www.dudutech.com/our-company/ ). Their main purpose is to research, develop and supply zero-residue biological control products designed to reduce pesticide use and improve soil health and long-term sustainability in agriculture. Most of our discussion and tour revolved around spider mites and research behind developing the predatory spider mite to control this pest. There was even discussion on development of a tick predator to use for managing ticks in livestock, which could certainly be used here in Grayson County!
Our cohort experienced much more than what I’ve discussed so far….including my own personal experience going on a horseback riding safari! Yep, that was certainly once in a lifetime! The experience that probably hit me the hardest however, was our visit to a primary school in Nakuru. Many of the children walked up to 3 miles to attend school, the rooms were extremely crowded with one of the largest classes having 70 students in one room, while the walls and floors were all concrete with no air conditioning. The students were also some of the most respectful students I’ve interacted with. I couldn’t help but compare this experience with American schools, students and the lack of respect many teachers experience.
The people of Kenya were genuinely happy, including the school students. Their work, home and school conditions aren’t in any way similar to the American way of life. Can you imagine sorting flower seeds and pollinating seed stock plants by hand, collecting black soldier fly larvae by hand, drinking, eating and sleeping with your herd of livestock 24/7, washing clothes by hand, cooking on a wood stove, weeding acres of fields by hand or not being able to eat or feed your children unless you were lucky enough to find a job similar to these that day? There is no government support for struggling families there….if you work you eat, if you don’t you starve; you can also forget access to clean water.
What humbled me the most during my time in Kenya, was not the types of jobs they had to do or the conditions they may have lived in, but how grateful and joyful they were to just have a job or a roof over their heads. Many Americans today, including myself at times, have everything we need to be successful, healthy and happy…yet we continue to downgrade ourselves and others instead of being kind and lifting each other up.
My time in Kenya was truly a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll never be able to fully fathom. This was more than just an Ag Leadership experience, it forced me to step way outside my comfort zone by being away from family for two straight weeks, relying on others more than I could have ever imagined (Cessna airplane ride comes to mind) and being exposed to a way of living I could have never imagined. Oddly, this reminds me of a quote from the artist Everlast – “God forbid you ever have to walk a mile in their shoes, ’cause then you really might know what it’s like”. Of course, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder” and maybe…just maybe…their way of life is more rewarding than we could ever imagine.
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