{"id":2542,"date":"2015-01-20T14:59:36","date_gmt":"2015-01-20T21:59:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swallowguesthousebali.com\/guesthouse\/?page_id=2542"},"modified":"2015-03-27T18:04:04","modified_gmt":"2015-03-28T01:04:04","slug":"pesalakan-organic-project","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/swallowguesthousebali.com\/guesthouse\/pop-organics\/pesalakan-organic-project\/","title":{"rendered":"Pesalakan Organic Project"},"content":{"rendered":"\"pop1\"<\/a>\r\n\r\n

Why \u201cPOP\u201d?<\/h2>\r\n

Swallow House Trading, initiator of Pesalakan Organic Project \u201cPOP\u201d<\/em><\/strong>, is located in Pesalakan, a small village in Pejeng Kangin, Ganyiar Bali, just 20 minutes NE of Ubud. In 2004, Swallow Guesthouse, was established for a Swallow preservation project and nest cultivation by dreamer Wayan Tagel and Suzan Badgley, his sponsor.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Bag Started it all…<\/h2>\r\n

During winter visits to the Swallowhouse trying to entice the birds to roost, I began to pick up the plastics found thrown on the walking paths through the rice fields and in the water ways called Subak. Finding it odd that the locals would laugh at my action and point out another piece of plastic to watch me pick up: Why did they not find it dirty or embarrassing I wondered…<\/p>\r\n

Today, Bali is in a crisis situation, the water is decreasing and what is left, is over the international acceptance level of contamination. Something needs to be done! We\u2019re happy to learn that the Government is aiming to have Bali a Green Island by 2013… but that date has passed!! Last night there was a very heavy rain storm; today, the streets are covered in mud and… plastic waste material.<\/p>\r\n

Taking into consideration that not too long ago, the banana leaf was the \u201cbag\u201d to hold the fresh organic produce from the market, to put food in for consumption, and, then thrown onto the ground to decompose back into the soil, one of the five elements on the Balinese spirituality (LINK TO Balinese Concept of Harmony TRI HITA KARANA). The action still remains alive; the \u201cbag\u201d has changed, brought by outside influences and conveniences of modernity. Swallowhouse is now Swallow Guesthouse hosting international clients from around the world who want to experience the REAL Bali. Most are surprised by the amount of waste material found on this otherwise extremely beautiful \u201cParadise\u201d island. \u201cPOP\u201d Pesalakan Organic Project was formulated by Swallow House Trading August 2012. \u201cPOP\u201d aims to bridge modern influences with ancient methods and spirit to provide a healthier environment for the visitors and the generations of Balinese to come.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

The Simantri Project<\/a><\/h2>\r\n

2013 was a starting point, a turn backwards in some environmentalist\u2019s minds to the traditional ways of farming, back to how it was before the government enforced farmers to use chemically induced pesticides and fertilizers.\u00a0 Starting last rice planting cycle, our Banjar received several tons of fertilizer donated from a joint venture between the government and Temesi Recycling<\/a>, Bali\u2019s first waste refinery located in the Ganyiar regency.\u00a0 Tossing the enriched pellets onto the green fields, farmers smiled at me now knowing what \u2018organic\u2019 means, the word I kept saying in a questioning manner over the years, pointing at their fertilizer bags in their broken down wheel barrows and spray cans strapped to their backs as I walked the foot paths filling my plastic bags with new and decaying plastic waste hoping this action would arouse interest.<\/p>\r\n\u00a0\r\n

Today organic interest is really aroused in our tiny Banjar:<\/h2>\r\n\u00a0 \r\n

\"gb3\"<\/a>One of 100 lucky Banjars selected in Bali for the government sponsored Simantri, an organic rice growing program that started in 2011.\u00a0 Bamboo was cut into fencing to house the project; 24 cows arrived and fed fresh cut grass; and, now, waste material collected, turned into natural pesticide, fertilizer for the sawa rice fields, and Bio-fuel for lights.<\/p>\r\n

Combined with their daily ancient spiritual relationship to the five elements of life, soil, water, fire, metal and wind, we should be well on our way!\u00a0But, as with all countries, environmental education and waste management programing is needed in the local schools and community.<\/p>\r\n \r\n

\u201cPOP\u201d is assisting!<\/h2>\r\n

A positive movement forward into past methods of natural cultivation and sustainable community living is exciting.<\/p> \r\n\r\n

\u201cPOP\u201d aims to:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n