The Conference

Well, the conference is almost over. We have 1 more day to go. So far we have had 2 days of presentations and working groups and a field trip day which was today. Even though the presentations and discussions have been very interesting, today was very exciting. First, we went to a grape/blackberry processing plant and spoke with some smallholder blackberry producers organized into associations. We also got to try fresh blackberries! Then we actually went to a granja (orchard) where they had vine trees, banana trees, passion fruit trees, etc...So I got to try plantains, grapes, apple-guava, tangerines, and granadillos straight from the tree...We then went to a fish farm which was also very insightful and got to talk to a representatives of a trout-farmer association who have their ponds in the Colombian highlands.

Overall,Im really enjoying the conference, the food, and the company. Another fyi to self: don't go running with the British who are hard-core hikers/bikers (explanation: I have been getting up early to run on campus here along rice fields and ponds listening to the numerous birds and taking in the gorgeous view of both the Cordillera Oriental and Cordillera Occidental of the Andes, but Im sore all over since Im trying to keep up with the english/irish researchers who are in way better shape than I am).