Project Bona Fide

Co-Directors:

Michael Taylor Judd

A dedicated activist in supporting farmers and landholders to work with nature, culture and locality. He began Project and Finca Bona Fide in May 2001 to offer the space and opportunity for culture and ecology to root together. When not in Nicaragua he pursues the practice and growth of Horticultural Therapy and Local Food Networking in New York.

CHRISTOPHER SHANKS

A multi-talented teacher, organizer, permaculture enthusiast, and design visionary, Chris has worked with some of the finest Permaculture and ecological designers in the Western hemisphere. Fascinated with living systems, Chris has invested himself heavily into the study of whole systems design, ethno-botany, horticulture, mycology, and ecology. His interests have led him to study agro-ecosystems and cultural anthropology in Spain, the Bahamas, Costa Rica, the USVI, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Hawai'i, as well as the temperate and sub-tropical regions of both coasts of the United States. Chris leads the on the ground team at Project Bona Fide. Chris combines his dedication to Bona Fide's work with his own work in the professional design world. Chris works in master planning and site design with Whole Sytems Design LLC and serves as their chief horticulturalist and Project Manager. Chris has also founded and runs his own company, Living Systems Solutions, based in Nicaragua. When not working in the non-profit or design world he can be found masquerading as a builder, a mason, as a decent plumber, as a poor electrician, as a sailor, as a fanatic for bamboo, as a lover of palms, as a permaculturalist with a rock/tree climbing habit, and as an avid motorcyclist.

Intern and Staff Community 2008-2009:

Ashley Carter

Ashley holds a degree from the University of Vermont where she studied ecology, soil science, and horticulture. She has worked on various farms and garden projects in Vermont. Currently Ashley co-manages the Project Bona Fide nursery where she cares for thousands of plants that represent hundreds of distinct botanical species. Ashley returns for her second year at BF in the nursery and assisting the Escuela de Campo.

Karen Hendrikse

Karen is a freshly graduated herbalist, doula and batik artist. In 2001 she graduated with a Cultural Studies degree at the University of Amsterdam. From then on she started studying what she really likes: plant medicine. Her focus is centered around women’s health and birth. In the Appalachian mountains, NC, her knowledge about plant medicine and women’s health deepened with an apprenticeship and job at Red Moon Herbs for several years. During this time she lived a homesteader’s life with other like-minded people, growing their own vegetables, herding goats and practicing herbal medicine on a daily basis. In October of 2008 she graduated from an 8-month herbal intensive at the Chestnut School of Holistic Herbal Medicine in Leichester, NC. At Finca Bonafide she works with Aleida in the herb garden and the Escuela de Campo. They are learning about exciting new plant worlds and soils, as well as adding new varieties to the existing herb garden. They are also busy making herbal salves, oils, and tinctures.

Eira Kedward

Since graduating from university with a degree in Sociology, Eira has worked for a number of NGOs in the UK doing fundraising and campaigning work, particularly in the field of equality and human rights. She also worked for a development consultancy which advised NGOs on areas such as organisational sustainability, management development, finance and fundraising. At Bona Fide she jobshares the volunteer coordinator role with Tom, and is also working down at the new community centre to help develop their outreach programmes with local children. She is an enthusiastic if terrible fiddle player and is spending her spare time trying to learn Nica folk tunes, much to the amusement/horror of the other Finca employees!

Heather Knorr

Heather Knorr grew up in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia where she currently resides. She attended Washington & Lee University and UNC Chapel Hill where she studied Spanish and also spent time working in Sevilla, Espana. After teaching high school Spanish for 2 years, she came to Isla de Ometepe to volunteer on the farm and in the community of Balgue. In the summer of 2008 she helped build book cases for Project Bona Fide's library and helped raise funds to build the community center playground. In her spare time, she researches grants for Bona Fide and loves biking and hiking with friends and family.

Rachel Peachey

During her time at Bona Fide (May-Sept 2008), Rachel learned a lot about permaculture, the island and Nicaragua. She had never worked on a farm before, but adapted fairly well. Life on the farm involved a lot of learning by doing, and I finally did get used to that macana. For Rachel, the most exciting projects (besides planting all those trees!) at Bona Fide were the children's Sunday program, working on the window plans for the community center with Mai and the neem workshop held at Bona Fide. Working with the children was a delight; It was an opportunity for them to connect, develop their creativity and have fun together, while also learning about the environment and even learning some English. She appreciated all that the children in turn taught her about Spanish, Nicaragua and the island. She also admits that all of those who work on the farm are very gracious and generous with their knowledge and friendship.

Jackee Pitts

Jackie has recently graduated with a BA in biology from Colorado College, where she focused on plant ecology with a little philosophy mixed in. In the past several years, she has been cultivating a love for plants and growing food. In addition to completing a Permaculture design course in 2006, she has worked on various farms and agricultural projects in Florida, Colorado, Vermont, and New Hampshire. She was a long-term volunteer at Project Bona Fide in 2007, and has returned this year to work with the Escuela del Campo. She is also co-managing the garden and helping with agro-forestry projects. When not working with the land, she enjoys being underwater, in the mountains, and cooking good food.

Tom Watts-Nielsen

Tom has recently completed an MSc in Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales and is aiming to put theory in to practice at Project Bona Fide. He is interested in sustainable design, particularly with regard to buildings, landscapes and energy and their integration in to holistic systems. Having completed a permaculture design course and worked as a gardener back home in England, he is now getting to grips with the new plants, creatures and climatic conditions of the tropics.

Local leadership at the Farm:

Evelio Hernandez

Evelio has worked at BF in the capacity of foreman and "go to guy" for almost 8 years. He is a graduate of our Permaculture design course certification. He is responsible for managing our local labour force, carrying out projects of all sizes and shapes, and is responsible for the farm when Michael and Chris are not present. Without him our capacity would be greatly diminished. Evelio has a keen gift for observation, knows local politics, and is profoundly eco-literate in terms of the local flora and fauna.

Clemencia Moirena Flores

Clemencia has been the kitchen manager at BF for almost 4 years. She is also the "reina de la cocina" or queen of the kitchen. Clemencia is a gifted cook, well organized, warm, and funny. She delights us daily while feeding us and making us laugh. The energy and creativity Clemencia brings to the center of our universe (our kitchen) is amazing. Clemencia has an amazing gift to innovate with food and adapt our farm cuisine to all the crazy things the BF staff grow.

David Guzman Ortiz

David has been the master builder in residence at BF for almost 3 years. Every major building and earthwork conceived and built at BF in the last three years has seen David’s steady hand, advice, and hard work. David brings wisdom and humour to the lunch table and to design discussions with Chris. David also leads the building team that is part of Chris' business focused on water catchment and storage. David loves beekeeping and storytelling.

Maria Eugenia Hernanadez

Maria co-manages the Finca Bona Fide nursery and has worked with us for almost 1 year. She is a single mother focusing on gaining skills and education that will allow her to improve her economic standing in our local community. Maria will be part of our Escuela de Campo this year and will train in grafting to help elevate the scope of services our nursery will offer for the coming years.

Isolina Moirena

Isolina has been an integral part of the BF local staff for over 4 years. She leads the men and women who focus on irrigation in the dry season and on fertility and young plant care in the wet season. We value Isolina's attention to detail and kindness to our plants. Without her keen eye many of our plant babies would have gone dry.

Nevis Ortiz Moirena

Nevis is the son of Isolina and has been with us for almost 3 years. He is a graduate of our Permaculture design course certification. He is a integral part of the Escuela de Campo and has been a part of the school since its inception. Nevis is currently working with Bona Fide on organic gardening projects, organic annual grain production and compost preparation. Nevis is also enrolled in agricultural school and seeks to continue his studies to serve his community in the future.

Past Contributing Staff:

Andrea Calfuquir

Andrea Calfuquir is our garden guru working with the local Nicaraguan farm students on our perennial gardens, in addition to coordinating the local women's cooperative, "Las Rosas de Volcanes." As a native Argentinian she has traveled throughout the Americas to find herself working on Ometepe since 2005. Andrea's vision is to help communities evolve by sharing of knowledge, establishing organic gardens, and developing sustainable improvements to the land.

Hannah Roessler

Hannah Roessler has been involved with Project Bona Fide over the past three years. Her passion for Nicaragua and its people is generated from a keen interest in Ethno-botany. She worked extensively on a variety of farm projects, ranging from nursery planning, management, cob building, to course coordination and curriculum development. She was an integral member the Escuela de Campo where she founded the Plantas Medicinales program, which is a program based in honoring the medicinal traditions of Ometepe while also focusing on expanding the local herbal pharmacopoeia. She was mainly working with local women to develop skills related to medicinal plants, as well as creating a seed/germplasm bank of valuable traditional medicinal plants. Her love of travel has brought her in contact with many systems of traditional medicine and has led her to pursue herbalism through formal study at the Dominion College of British Columbia. She has a B.A. from the University of Victoria, where she studied both Environmental Studies and Anthropology. She is currently pursuing a MSc. in Integrated Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia, where she is focusing on agro-ecology, food security, traditional ecological knowledge, to name a few. She can be contacted at hannahroessler@hotmail.com.

Katherine Young

Kata left formal education at Warren Wilson College to pursue independent research in sustainable development in the fields of Central America. WWOOF volunteer turned BF Vivero manager, focused on the diverse collection, propagation, care and extension of the nursery stock. Recruited and trained locals in management of the nursery and produced the Nursery Handbook (English/Spanish) and Daily Observation notebook, to begin the documentation/institutional memory of the nursery's inventory and proceedings. She increased biodiversity in nursery/farm through collection of thousands of seeds, cuttings, tree-lings (hee hee). Facilitated nursery related (micro) and farm related (macro) volunteer projects, designed and began initial formal medicinal garden, participated in and co-developed the Escuela del Campo (an independent research/educational program for inspired local individuals focusing on regenerative organic agriculture, natural medicine, and self-sustainability) with emphasis on soil fertility and long-term food security, using agro-forestry as a means to reforestation. Fundraised for Escuela del Campo bringing books, films, tools, local scholarships, and art supplies to the community/project. Founded the Taller de Arte Infantil (children's art and ecology workshop focusing on using unused resource, i.e. garbage, as art materials), facilitated repainting of community building, distribution of nursery stock and propagation of information, and facilitated participation of children/local art display at the annual Intercambio de Semillas/Seed Exchange. Served as ethno-botanical farm tour guide/volunteer orientation. Mulched a hell of a lot of trees, planted igual. Permaculture course staff 2007 and 2008. Conceptual design/logo artist. Loves one-eyed cob fights, machete-mulching ninjas, being a monkey in the trees, dancingdancingdancing, mojitos, los kiddos and la Luna. Began independent research project on agro-forestry as a means to diverse reforestation and long-term food security, and plant companionship/soil fertility. Moving on to work as a tropical horticulturist at The Eden Project (UK), with focus on soil fertility (companion planting and the use of compost teas as alternative to chemical pesticides/fertilizers) whilst consolidating research for Master's program proposal. Future goals include working in collaboration with community elders/leaders/shamans towards the diverse reforestation and sustainable management of tropical (food) forests.