Cultivating Change: Trek Relief Expands Garden Project in Villa Cerro Castillo
This month, Trek Relief completed its third transformative trip to Patagonia, marked by hard work, shared learning, and a whole lot of joy. Between laughter and dancing, our team eagerly took on new challenges to expand "Green Hope," the organic vegetable garden at the professional technical school in Villa Cerro Castillo.
With guidance from Maria Luisa Carillo, our dedicated gardener, volunteers prepared the garden, greenhouse, and compost boxes for the upcoming winter. These efforts ensure that the garden remains productive and resilient against Patagonia’s challenging conditions.
Building Infrastructure for Growth
Thanks to the incredible support and funds raised by our group, we achieved several key milestones in advancing this multi-year project:
Outdoor Classroom: Constructed a platform for workshops and gatherings, providing a space to connect, learn, and grow together.
Medicinal Garden Bed: Added a new garden bed near the greenhouse, featuring locally foraged medicinal plants.
Garden Fence: Built a sturdy fence to protect crops from wild hares and the region’s notorious winds.
Greenhouse Ramp: Designed, built, and installed by one of our own participants (special thanks to Brent Lee!), making the greenhouse more accessible and functional.
These additions will not only enhance the garden’s functionality but also inspire continued learning and engagement within the community.
Empowering Through Education
Education remains at the heart of Trek Relief’s mission. During this trip, we hosted community workshops on a range of topics, including:
Medicinal plants and local foraging.
Compost processing and organic gardening.
Seed collection and the principles of food sovereignty.
We also had the privilege of sharing our vision and hopes during the school assembly, fostering a deeper connection with faculty and students. Together, we explored the possibilities of sustainable living and food independence, laying the groundwork for future success.
A Commitment to Long-Term Impact
The expanded infrastructure and educational resources will serve as the foundation for the ongoing success of the Green Hope garden project. Trek Relief’s recent trip to Patagonia is a testament to our commitment to creating sustainable, community-driven solutions that make a lasting difference.
We’re grateful to every volunteer, supporter, and partner who has contributed to this project’s success. Together, we’re not just planting seeds for a garden—we’re cultivating hope, resilience, and a brighter future for Villa Cerro Castillo.
Photo Credit: Candice Young