Rafael Irastorza
Urban Farmer
At the beginning of the pandemic, when I needed to calm my mind and reduce stress and anxiety, I discovered that connecting with nature was the answer. This is how my passion for having a garden was born, a bond that led me to promote this great idea of growing part of our own fresh and organic food at home, ensuring that we do so while protecting the environment.
In those difficult times, I decided to give more than 70 tomato plants to the people around me, bringing a little joy to their lives. Watching plants grow from seeds filled me with satisfaction, as I felt like I was nourishing and giving life to something.
Along my path, I conducted extensive research on sustainable practices, learning about the importance of using non-GMO and organic seeds, as well as maintaining a proper balance of pH levels in water and soil. . I also understood that healthy, chemical-free soil was essential, and I learned how to enrich it naturally by incorporating worms and other organic methods.
Creating my own organic pesticide reaffirmed my belief that the way we grow our food has a significant impact. From then on, I focused on a completely organic harvest, as I discovered that quality foods can act as medicine. At that time I decided to create my Instagram page and call it gng.organic, which translates into English as (Gardening and Growing Organic). Its translation into Spanish would be “Sowing and Cultivating Organically”
My effort and dedication in the garden paid off, and after two years, I managed to harvest 200 pounds of vegetables, including bell peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, and onions. That's when I decided to share my knowledge with others, organizing home garden workshops in my own home. So far, I have had the honor of guiding over 100 people on their own journey towards creating sustainable gardens. In addition to sharing my experience in workshops, I have had the opportunity to be mentioned in magazines and the Orlando Sentinel newspaper, where I have provided advice on growing organic food. I have also brought my knowledge to primary school students, seeking to instill in them the importance of a sustainable lifestyle. Despite the reach and impact I have had on others, I firmly believe in being able to help many more people.
Recently, I discovered an innovative way to grow more vegetables at home: the Tower Garden, a vertical aeroponic system that has not only transformed my farming experience, but also promotes sustainability and environmental preservation. With this method, I reduce water consumption by a staggering 95% compared to conventional cultivation, helping to conserve this vital resource. In addition, the Tower Garden occupies only 10% of the space required by a traditional garden, benefiting those with space limitations and favoring the conservation of green areas.
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Food grows on average three times faster than with the conventional method, addressing growing food demand and reducing pressure on natural resources. Through my work and distribution of the Tower Garden in various countries, I empower people to grow organic food and contribute to environmental conservation by reducing their ecological footprint.