Introduction

Traveling Farmer is about the life experiences of Rick Bein who was raised on a farm in rural Colorado, joined the Peace Corps and went on to become a geographer. He earned his degrees at the Universities of Colorado and Florida. Rick became enamored with tropical agriculture, environments, and cultures around the world from Brazil, Africa, and Papua New Guinea. Twelve years living in the tropics has provided him with a multitude of stories and observations that he would like to share with you. Rick has taught University classes for 45 years, mostly at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) where he has focused on teaching Environmental Conservation, the Geography of Soil and Human Geography. Rick is dedicated to keeping our planet safe for human survival. He does not like calling this a memoir, it sounds so final and dull, rather let’s call it “Life’s experiences.”

Rick is indebted to those who have been instrumental in supporting this effort by editing, photographing, remembering details and suggestions. These are Jeanie Bein, Alex Bein, Linda Beach, Chris Lett, Maryellen Bein, Candy Riggins, Mary Bein, Ellen Roselle, Glbert Nduru, Cathy Tomutsa, Mohamid Ibrahim, Jim Baldwin, and Mike Fallahay.