BOSQUE, GRACIAS
-42.172694, -71.403506

This is in Chubut, Argentina, parallel 42 south of Patagonia.
We are a young family, we are in 2 hectares of a rain valley with river coast in the Epuyen region. We emigrated from the saturated city of Buenos Aires and we ended up in Patagonia following the column of the Andes. Now, our community understands the social ecosystem of plants and trees.

- The Epuyén Valley comprises some 96,000 ha, of which 40,000 ha were purchased
in the 1990s by the international firm Bennetton. -----

This area is an edge, an eco-tone within the region, represents the dialogue and the transition of the forest to the Patagonian steppe. There is no one year like the other, the variables that are accompanying the uncertainty of climate change, also depend on the strength and expression of the Andes. This conditions a little the intensive productions for the classic agriculture. For us, the limitations of terrain between the streams and the swamps, are taken as an energy opportunity for permanent agriculture. The place has high resources to maintain a stable, diverse and autarchic system. The biodiversity expressed by this site could not be possible without the relative humidity and the average annual rainfall of between 700 and 1000 mm. By itself it shows that by keeping the forest standing in the valley, a curious expression of the type of "Valdivian Forest" is achieved, not so typical of the Argentine side, but rather of the Chilean side.

We are on the face of Cerro Pirque that faces East. The lake is much lower, to the south, surrounding the hill and empties all its force towards the north by the Epuyén River, which passes through the bottom of the farm. From there, it continues on its way to the next town at 30km, El Hoyo and ends at its waters at Lago Puelo.
The river coast that borders the farm is quite particular in comparison to the neighboring coasts. It is a coast protected by dense foliage, natural pools and is surrounded by native forest. The willow by its side, invasive and exotic, turns out to be a graceful ally in the protection against overflows, purification of waters and as noble material. Not only does it shelter us with its heat, but also its abundance allows us to consume what is left over, and preserve the other system that is organized little by little, the forest and its native climax.

The valley between hills is more for shadow practice, so the first challenge is not to put energy into long-annual crops that belong to other hemispheres and pay attention to adapted and rustic species. We take advantage of the fine fruit such as raspberries, blueberries and other berries, strawberries, seasonal mushrooms, medicinal and edible herbs. This is part of the greatest observation, that the yuyo remains to occupy an empty space, and that its biomass serves as an organic deposit.

The farm is divided by small streams, marshes and wetlands in the form of islands, this marks different microclimates and soil compositions between areas. Summers are warm, strong and winters bring snow a few times a year, spring gives us the grace of rain. But always be alert for frost that can arrive even in summer.

Past
This place did not have the destiny to be a Patagonian 'field'. The predecessor family that had the rights of the place, like other families, took advantage of the wood to sell, but did not get to deforest everything. Grazing animals were there, but they did not stay. This was a border between families, animals disappeared and territorial conflicts increased. By the 90's a group of young people buy some hectares and take advantage to use the old roads where the firewood came from. They were able to build houses, face the floods, plant some fruit trees and prune the surroundings. But there was not much more direction that leads to a plan that ensures sustainability in the future. If the most important, the preservation of what was already standing. And endless stories that were bequeathed to us from our arrival, when the rights of the place become our responsibility.

Productos de abeja - Honey bee - Bee products