That's a Wrap!

I’ll add a short coda to Sue’s more eloquent remarks about the recent end of our Moroccan adventure. It’s still amazing to reflect that we had a Marrakesh address for about 16 months!  Certainly not as long as we had planned, but still sufficient to get a glimpse of this fascinating country and culture. 

As a brief reminder, my new employment with the African Plant Nutrition Institute (apni.net) was what initially took us to Morocco.  I was asked to help start a new non-profit organization devoted to improving soil health and plant nutrition for farmers across Africa.  It was a fantastic opportunity to apply several decades of experience as a soil scientist in a new humanitarian pursuit. 

You probably do not know that the majority of African soils are degraded, eroded, and depleted of the essential nutrients that are

needed to grow healthy crops and food. A mere handful of fertilizer makes a huge impact for many African families – making the difference between fasting and feasting. 

Well, the APNI organization is now off the ground and flying.  Offices are established in Morocco, Kenya, and Ivory Coast and recent recruitment of new scientists has attracted extremely talented African scientists to expand this important work. 

While considering the strict limitations imposed by Covid, changes in the work situation, and family considerations, another job offer dropped unexpectedly into our life.  I’ll start working for a Norwegian-based company (YARA) to help farmers across Western North America become better stewards of their fertilizer, improve their soil, and produce abundant healthy food. As another bonus, I’ll be working from home and enjoying the company of my favorite retired librarian. 

I hope our adventures continue, but instead of dodging donkey carts and swarms of scooters, we’ll be seeking new experiences closer to home for now.  Yes, we definitely will return to Morocco again. There are old friends to visit and new parts of the country that remain to be explored.  Anyone want to join in a trek to the peak of Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains or a camel expedition in the Sahara?

 

Thanks for following this blog and please be grateful for the everyday availability of  nutritious food, access to health care, educational opportunities for everyone, and the freedoms we too often take for granted. Share your good fortune when occasions arise. 

-Rob