The Horticulture Initiative

Interns Nelson and Chad have been working tirelessly to prepare a new garden on campus for EXPO Horticulture class.  In less than a week, they turned what was a dumping zone for rocks and debris into a tilled and fully irrigated 50' X 50' garden and green house and planted a variety of different vegetables and fruit seeds. The goal for this project is to teach the EXPO students basic horticulture skills such as how to take care of and cultivate the plants.  Some of their responsibilities during the summer will include making sure they have enough water, eliminating any weeds they spring up and harvesting their plants before EXPO.

The children had their first gardening class on Saturday morning. There the kids helped plan and organized the garden with the interns by helping them decide where to put the seeds and whether or not the seeds or plants need shade. The interns also introduced them to the the flood irrigation system that is typically used in Mexico and how important it is to consistently water the plants in the dry Mexican heat. Each student was able to plant an assortment or seeds with fertilizer and soil and were asked to state a few facts about their seeds or plants before putting them in the ground. 

Later in the summer, the children will be assigned a certain zone of the garden that they will cultivate and take care of with the anticipation of harvesting the plants and showing their produce at EXPO in August. By doing that, they will learn to take ownership of their plants and learn responsibility in the process. 

We are pretty excited about the horticulture project and the way we can show God's love and care for us in the way that we care for the garden.  

You can follow the horticulture project on our Facebook Page.

Interns 2014

The Fatted Calf continues to grow in impact towards its mission of glorifying and obeying God by providing training and career development to the fatherless and less-privileged of Mexico. We have had one to three interns per year for each of the past three summers, but this year we are blessed to have five students spending their summer in Magdalena serving the people here.

My name is Shelby Payne and I am from Eureka, IL. I am studying for a degree in Agribusiness with a focus in livestock management and a minor in Spanish language at Illinois State University. My primary responsibilities at CVE are to coordinate classes, activities, and teachers for Expo Esperanza. I am also helping with beginner cattle classes, horse classes, and with the theater program. I feel very blessed to be able to be a part of The Fatted Calf organization here in Magdalena. I am looking forward to teaching the kids about agriculture and helping prepare them for Expo!

My name is Morgan Stamper and I hail from the small town of Nowata, Ok. I am attending Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Ok. I will graduate with my B.S. in Animal Science with an option in Ranch Operations this coming December. As a Fatted Calf intern, I will be helping the kids with their livestock projects, with emphasis in cattle and sheep. However, I will also be assisting with horse classes as the need arises. I am here to help in any way possible and serve the families of CVE in any way needed. I feel as though God has blessed me tremendously in placing me here in Mexico! I know I am exactly where He has called me to be. “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” Mark 16:15

Hi! I’m Danielle Evers, I am 20 years old and am from Sioux Center, Iowa. I will be a junior at South Dakota State University, double majoring in Animal Science and Spanish with an Animal Health minor. I hope to attend Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. This summer at The Fatted Calf, I will assist in organizing Expo Esperanza. I will be in charge of the sheep and chickens and help with the cattle. I will also help teach some classes to help the kids with other exhibits. God has blessed me extremely with such an opportunity to serve Him. “God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called!!”

Hello, my name is Joseph Klotzle. I am from Southern California and am currently attending Biola University as a senior. My studies are focused towards degrees in International Business and Biblical Studies. While at The Fatted Calf, my specific role includes assisting local businesses throughout the community of Magdalena de Kino. My responsibilities vary from developing marketing techniques through Google Ad-words, to teaching classes for EXPO Esperanza. My goal for this internship is to develop a firm foundation in my business endeavors and to serve others by any means necessary. I believe in the mindset of business as mission; where serving employees, consumers, and most importantly Jesus Christ rises above all else.

Hello everyone! My name is Cassidy Wulf. This summer I am working for The Fatted Calf. This fall, I will be a freshman at South Dakota State University majoring in Early Childhood Education-Birth to Five Specialization with plans of minoring in Equine Studies and Spanish. My main responsibility this summer is to teach horse classes in preparation for EXPO Esperanza. I will have 28 students. I'm thankful I will have help from other interns! I also will be teaching a cooking class and helping with a scrapbooking class. I'm excited to watch the children's hard work pay off! To God be the glory!