American Goldfinch feeding on amaranth seed heads
Early this spring I volunteered to grow a half acre of amaranth for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (http://www.crwrc.org/). Although the project was definitely not a roadtrip it did take precedence and altered my travel plans as I adjusted to a farming schedule.
Amaranth Seedling
Amaranth is an ancient crop which was widely grown by the Aztecs in the 1400's but soon was forgotten and only grown in limited amounts at scattered locations. Research starting in the 1970's rekindled an interest in the crop when its hardiness and useful nutritional qualities were rediscovered. High protein levels along with the amino acid lysine made it a healthy addition to the deficient diets commonly found in poorer nations. Because of this the CRWRC has worked hard to introduce this plant and educate people in Africa, Mexico, and Asia.
The plant turned out to be extremely hardy once it sprouts. It tolerates high temperatures and requires much less water than corn and other widely grown plants. In Kenya the seedheads are white or yellow but the American variety is a beautiful bright red which, as it matured, attracted passerbys who would slowly drive down our driveway trying to figure out what kind of crop we were growing.
On October 10 the crop was harvested. Approximately 100 people from Fairway Christian Reformed Church of Jenison, Servant's Church in Grand Rapids, representatives from CRWRC, and the VanOrman clan experienced a typical African style harvest of the amaranth.
Seed heads drying on tarps before threshing
Cutting the seed heads
Threshing
A mill designed by Calvin College Engineering students for use in Kenya was used to separate the threshed seed.
CRWRC representatives from Kenya, Uganda, and Asia
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