UF's Ethnoecology Gardens

Yesterday our anthropology class went to the ethnoecology gardens on UF's campus, and even though the trip doesn't directly relate to any of my attempted changes, it was very interesting. Most interesting, I found, was talking about composting, and the different methods. At home in Jacksonville, my mother has red wiggler worm composting, so that is the type of composting that I mostly know about. I've never been a science-oriented person, so thinking about the way that air and moisture and other elements chemically work together to break down matter seems mind blowing to me. I understand the concept of matter getting broken down inside a worm, but not by just sitting in a pile. If I lived somewhere that it was feasible, I would love to have a compost bin of my own, but I currently live in on-campus housing, and I don't know how much my roommate would like dirt in our room. However, I'm making note of this, so that I can have compost when I eventually live somewhere different.

In addition to our trip to the gardens, we had an organic and local foods potluck. On my way driving from Jacksonville back to Gainesville this weekend, I was able to stop at a small produce stand. I talked with the woman working there for a little bit, and learned that their produce comes mostly from what they have grown on their property, as well as being grown on a nearby friend's property who helps with the stand, but was not there at the moment. I bought some oranges to bring to the potluck, as well as some for myself and also some grapefruit. Both were so delicious, and made me wonder why I don't buy more local fruit, and less grocery store imported fruit.