If there is anyone in Imi who can compete with Doña Justina for my affection, it's her husband, Don Ernesto.

Don Ernesto is probably the hardest worker in Imi: he farms between four and five hectares per year, mostly by himself and entirely by hand. He is also the best farmer, by any standard, though a lot of his accomplishments are probably due to Doña Justina's creative influence. Ernesto has taught me more about agriculture than all the rest of my sources combined. He was also the Imeño who took the most interest in my agricultural experimentation, and the person who may some day profit from it.

Ernesto's competence and self-confidence are uniquely balanced with quietness, humility, and generosity. No matter how hard he was working, he made it a point to visit me in the evenings a couple times a week, over four years, for no other purpose than to make sure I was doing okay and wasn't lonely.