June 25, 2024
Stomping down the microorganisms to store them anaerobically
Microorganisms!! I wrote some about microorganisms during my time at the Organic Learning Center in Honduras, but I didn't get to prepare them. So when the opportunity arose here at IMAP, I made sure I was able to participate in making MM Solid (mountain microorganisms).
Patrik had collected two sacks of microorganisms from the mountainside. I knew he was going to "feed" them soon so I kept asking him about it until the day arrived!
We used the following ingredients
We started the process off by weighing 20 kilos of microorganisms.
Then we weighed 40 kilos of coffee husks or cascabillo de café. (Instead of coffee husks, you could also substitute semolina rice or wheat or rice husks.)
Next we measured 10 liters of molasses
Finally, we measured 1200 milliliters of water to dilute the molasses
We spread out the coffee husks on a clean, dry tarp on the ground. Then we added the 20 kilos of microorganisms and mixed the two materials together. Next, we measured out the molasses and water, and we added that to the mixture. During this process we made sure to thoroughly coat all of the coffee husk and microorganisms mixture in the molasses. We turned it over with our hands several times until it was distributed throughout. When it was all well mixed, we began to store it into a 200 liter plastic barrel.
The microorganisms have to be stored anaerobically, without oxygen. So I took off my boots and stood in the barrel to compress down the material each time we added another shovel full. Patrik held the side of the barrel so it wouldn't fall over while I stood inside and stomped on the materials. For a moment he was doing another task while I stood inside the barrel flattening everything down and he ran offer to hold it for me. "We don't want to have to tell the story of the volunteer who sacrificed her life for the microorganisms" hahah :) When we finished we sealed the barrel shut. The microorganisms will feed on this fiber and sugar and in a few months they will be ready to apply to the soil!
The majority soil microbes can be classified as fungi, bacteria, archaea, protozoa, or viruses. These microorganisms enhance the soil fertility, accelerate the break down of residues, make it easier for plants to take up nutrients, and stimulate plant growth . Soil microorganisms need access to nutrition and water, and, therefore, it is important to incorporate organic matter in the soil where these microorganisms can live and thrive.
Microorganisms come in handy in many different aspects of organic, agroecological farming. At IMAP, for example, the microorganisms are added to speed up the decomposition of the compost toilet manure and the chicken manure to ensure good sanitation. It is added to the soil garden beds to maintain rich soil. It is also shared with the small producers who work on the plots by the lake.
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