Growing Knowledge & Building Partnerships

The Farmer to Farmer team would like to recognize all the hard work of the volunteers, staff and host organizations as we look back on the year. In 2010 (calendar year) we had 89 Farmer to Farmer volunteers travel to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Nicaragua, Guyana, Ecuador, Jamaica, Brazil, and Bolivia! As we move into 2011, we are excited for even more volunteer assignments and more project success and accomplishments. Cheers to a very Happy New Year!

We are happy to share that Partners of the Americas' Farmer to Farmer Team, with the invaluable support of our volunteers and partner organizations, has arranged the donation of 100 new beehives to be shipped to Haiti. The donation will benefit the beekeepers collaborating with our apiculture project as well as others in the industry. The hive boxes will be assembled in Haiti and have several uses such as demonstration hives and for training purposes at local agriculture universities. Typical Haitian Apiary The donation also includes the frames, nails, and foundation for the hives. These activities will be managed by Makouti Agro Enterprise, a dynamic local agribusiness, key partner, and beneficiary of Partners' Farmer to Farmer Program in Haiti. The Haiti FTF Program provides hive box and equipment construction training, however due to widespread deforestation, the type of wood necessary for a quality, durable hive is not locally available nor is the right type of nails

Whether it is Felices Fiestas, Happy Holidays, Jou konje Happy, Boas Festas or Joyeuses Fêtes, the holidays are a time to celebrate. During this season, we would like to thank all the dedicated volunteers, field staff, program collaborators, host organizations, funders and all the others who have made our Farmer to Farmer Program a success. Enjoy the season and best wishes for 2011! The Farmer to Farmer Team

Partners of the Americas' Farmer to Farmer volunteer, Dr. Obadiah Mugambi Njue, provided trainings and technical assistance in the areas of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and vegetable production in protected greenhouse environments. Information from Dr. Njue's Farmer to Farmer trip report: "Greenhouses can be a means to economically maintain optimum growing conditions at times of the year when production in the field is not conducive and when market prices for the vegetable crops are highest. Production practices need to carefully address the Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs). Food contamination can occur at any level of food handling, from production through transporting the product to the consumer. A GAPs program is a first step to ensure food safety. Production practices (both in greenhouses and in open fields) should emphasize on prevention of microbial contamination of farm produce during production and through post-harvest handling. Greenhouses visited

In collaboration with Partners of the Americas' A Ganar Program on the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, the Farmer to Farmer Program is sending veteran FTF Volunteer Tom Syverud, a specialist in organic production and outreach, to provide training to the farm managers and youth members of the Community Achievers Project (CAP) in St. Kitts. Through the " flexible assignments " in the FTF Program, it is possible for volunteers to assist local agriculture and environment organizations in many countries throughout the world. Check out the press release published on SKNList.com to read more about the upcoming visit!

Waterfall in San Jose de los Remates Farmer to Farmer volunteer, Alan Robinson recently traveled to Nicaragua to assess the feasibility and do the preliminary planning for rural community tourism in the municipality of San Jose de los Remates. This was the first community tourism assignment, as the Farmer to Farmer Program in Nicaragua has been working primarily on improving the dairy value chain. Rural Tourism (sometimes described as agritourism, rural community tourism, community-based ecotourism and adventure tourism) on a small scale is already quite common in Nicaragua, however not in San Jose de los Remates. The volunteer worked with the San Jose de los Remates Mayor's office and Tourism Association to help them put together tourism strategies and to make it clear that whatever programs they develop they will be in competition with other rural tourism in Nicaragua and to some extent in neighboring countries like Honduras and Costa Rica. It was discussed that to be compe

Two of Partners' Farmer to Farmer Volunteers have been in the news recently: USAID's official blog, IMPACT , has published a blog post written by FTF volunteer Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak. Originally posted to the Devils Gulch Educational Services blog, in this article Myriam comments on her trip to Washington, DC, where she was presented with her Presidential Volunteer Service Award, as well as her experience with and recommendations for the Farmer to Farmer Program. The Marin Independent Journal also recently published a news article on her efforts in Haiti through the FTF Program. Tamra Fakhoorian conducted a radio interview on algae as a biofuel source and the merits of integrated farming (biogas, duckweed, and aquaculture) after having completed a team assignment to Guyana in November. Ms. Fakhoorian traveled as an algae industry specialist, along with duckweed specialist Louis Landesman and biogas specialist Vance Haugen. The trip was a collaborative effort between

Dr. Thomas Evans (seated, center) and Dr. Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak (seated, far right) join other Farmer to Farmer volunteers and USAID representatives in being honored by USAID. Two other volunteers photographed, Jason Licamele (far left) and Terrill Christensen (standing, 5th from right), have also traveled with Partners' FTF Program. The US Agency for International Development has issued a press release announcing the Farmer to Farmer volunteers who were recently honored in Washington, DC, for their voluntary service abroad. As described in an earlier blog post , two of Partners of the Americas' volunteers were selected for their exemplary service and dedication to assisting farmers and farm organizations in developing countries. Congratulations to Dr. Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak and Dr. Thomas Evans, who were both presented with Presidential Volunteer Service Awards, as well as the hundreds of individuals who volunteer their time and skills abroad through Partners of the A

In November 2010 a team of two Farmer to Farmer volunteers, Richard (Dick) Waybright and Doug Stauffer, from the Pennsylvania Chapter of Partners of the Americas traveled to Bahia, Brazil to meet with stakeholders in the dairy sector and share information and technologies related to milk production. They were generously accommodated by the Department of Agriculture and other local organizations, and their seminars generated a television interview and other press such as this article in PuraPolitica.com.br. (Click here for an English translation). This was Mr. Waybright's and Mr. Stauffer's second trip to Bahia through the Farmer to Farmer Program, following their previous FTF trips in 1997. Currently the Director of the Pennsylvania Chapter, Mr. Stauffer has served in various leadership roles of the Pennsylvania - Bahia Partnership over the past 25 years and is the Founder and President of Imperial Beverage Systems, Inc.. Mr. Waybright, of award-winning Mason Dixon Farms

Partners of the Americas’ Farmer to Farmer volunteers to be recognized at the USAID Volunteer Appreciation Event USAID is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Event on December 7, 2010 in Washington DC to honor Farmer to Farmer volunteers. The event is part of USAIDs continued dedication to global food security and the launching of the Feed the Future Program. The Farmer to Farmer Program is one of the many USAID Programs that compliments these efforts and directly contributes to agricultural development and economic growth. Two of Partners’ Farmer to Farmer volunteers will be in attendance and recognized at the Volunteer Appreciation Event. Partners of the Americas’ Farmer to Farmer Volunteer Honorees: Dr. Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak is a veterinarian, farmer, and development practitioner who has traveled 10 times to Haiti as a specialist in rabbit production with Partners of the Americas’ Farmer to Farmer Program. Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak has focused primarily on helping Makouti Ag

FTF Volunteer Otto Wiegand with cattle farmers Agriculture contributes an estimated 20-30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, mainly attributed to the release of nitrous oxide and methane from fertilizer use, as well as carbon dioxide emissions from land clearing. This recent article by the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development announces a new fund to address climate change and food security, but also provides a good overview of the complex issue of agricultural production's contribution to climate change, as well as the ways in which future food production could be jeopardized by its effects. Since 1991, Partners' Farmer to Farmer volunteers have already trained and assisted thousands of farmers throughout Latin America and the Caribbean in the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) present a cost-effective opportunity for farmers to use natural resources more efficiently and thus, mainta

The Farmer to Farmer team would like to wish all our U.S. volunteers a very Happy Thanksgiving! We're thankful for all your hard work and dedication to agriculture and sustainable development. We thought everyone might like to see some photos of dishes from different countries where Farmer to Farmer is working. Enjoy! Haiti - rice and beans Dominican Republic - fish, avocado and plantains Guyana - tropical fruit salad Nicaragua - plantains and cheese Happy Thanksgiving from the Farmer to Farmer team!

The Pan American Dairy Federation is currently carrying out a campaign across the Americas to increase awareness and engage various stakeholders in promoting the consumption of dairy products as a way to benefit human health. CANISLAC, the dairy association leading the campaign efforts in Nicaragua has partnered with Farmer to Farmer to achieve the goal of reaching various populations around the country. CANISLAC recently recognized the support of Farmer to Farmer and the hard work of our volunteers and staff. That publication also featured photos of Farmer to Farmer volunteer, Kshinte Brathwaite. Nicaraguan school children sample milk and yogurts as part of the Si a la Leche Campaign.

Here in the United States, we all continue to hear news out of Haiti - cholera, Hurricane Tomas, and elections. Our Farmer to Farmer staff and volunteers who have recently been in Haiti during the past month are all doing well. As we follow the news and developments closely, they send reports directly from Haiti.  Sometimes the local reports vary slightly from what is portrayed by the international media. Dr. Kaplan-Pasternak checks rabbit body condition in Haiti We thought you would enjoy reading some excerpts from the blog of Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak (see below), a repeat FTF volunteer and veterinarian who is currently in Haiti. She, along with the Farmer to Farmer staff and members of Makouti Agro Enterprise, are in the middle of a "whirlwind tour" of Haiti, where so far they have given trainings in at least 9 villages that are just starting rabbit production projects. The goal was to set up 220 new cages and train 400 new producers. Their stop in Cap Haitien may hav

The 2008 – 2013 Farmer to Farmer Program “core” projects are in Haiti, Guyana, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. However, the program can work in other countries as well with flexible assignments. The flexible (“flex”) assignments allow Farmer to Farmer to send US volunteers to support ongoing agricultural and environmental projects, explore new project areas, and take advantage of opportunities outside of the core countries. Volunteers on flex assignments provide technical assistance and trainings to support new or on-going projects. In October, 2 volunteers from the University of Arkansas traveled to Bolivia on "flex" assignments: Dr. McLeod, a Professor in the Department of Entomology and Dr. Correll, a Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology. In coordination with the Arkansas - Eastern Bolivia Chapter of Partners of the Americas and CIAT (Center for Tropical Agricultural Investigation) the volunteers provided technical assistance to communities in the depar

Volunteer Norman Bezona has published an article in the Hawaii Tribune Herald , following his recent Farmer to Farmer trip to Haiti. In the article he reflects on post-earthquake Haiti and the Haitian and Hawaiian coffee industries. Dr. Bezona first traveled to Haiti with Partners of the Americas’ Farmer to Farmer Program in 1999 and has made great contributions to the production of certain species of bamboo in Haiti which can be used for construction. An article on Partners of the Americas' efforts to improve the Haitian beekeeping industry also appears on Regions Bank's See the Good website.

Through Partners’ Farmer to Farmer Program, US technical experts from universities and businesses, including Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, have traveled to Haiti , Honduras and elsewhere to provide assistance with coffee production, processing and marketing to small-scale producers. Haiti : Coffee Sales Increase with Professional Labels and Packaging Makouti Agro Enterprise, a Haitian-owned agribusiness based in Cap Haitien , works closely with the  Farmer to Farmer Program. Makouti requested technical assistance in product marketing, packaging and labeling. Makouti member Gerard Michel Joseph, for example, sold his coffee in simple brown paper bags with no label and customers could not see the quality, origin or the brand of the coffee. To address this need, a Farmer to Farmer volunteer helped develop logos, design labels and improve packaging. The label demonstrates the coffee’s quality: natural with no added preservatives, finely ground, and locally harvested.   Redesigning

Farmer to Farmer volunteers Cheryl Diermyer and Lauren Rosen traveled around Nicaragua to put together a video that highlights the cattle and dairy farming industries. The volunteers interviewed farmers, business owners and others to bring to light the importance of consuming local dairy products. The consumption of local meat and dairy products is important for nutritional and health reasons and it helps the local economy. The video is being aired on local TV stations and in schools and is being promoted by cattle and dairy farmer associations. Farmer to Farmer works with the whole dairy value chain in Nicaragua, even the marketing/media competent that is generally out of reach for the producers and cooperatives. Watch this video to get a glimpse into the dairy and cattle industry in Nicaragua:

Guyana is known as the Land of Many Waters. As a matter of fact, rivers are often the best means to reach certain areas in Guyana. The capital city, Georgetown, lies below sea level. This makes for a unique experience for FTF volunteers, and those whose assignments bring them to these parts of Guyana often enjoy the adventure and scenery. The Essequibo is Guyana's major river, draining many of the rivers from the interior of the country. Guyana is a beautiful country with rich biodiversity. Below are photos from various FTF staff and volunteer trips over the years. Enjoy! FTF Field Staff pose for a shot on the way to Mainstay, to visit the pineapple growers Amerindian mother teaches her daughter to swim These stilts are helpful in case of flooding Automobile ferry

In the Dominican Republic, Farmer to Farmer volunteer, Ralph Bucca, provided workshops and hands-on trainings on the preservation and processing of fruits and vegetables. At the University ISA, the volunteer gave presentations on the use of solar food dryers and, with much help from the participants, they all constructed a solar dryer. Amongst the participants in the workshops were 30 university students, the Director of the Department of Food Science and Technology, and the Director of Appropriate Technology for Peace Corps/Dominican Republic. The workshop participants at Univeristy ISA show off their newly constructed solar food dryer. The university students prepare bananas, peppers, tomatoes and eggplant to test out the new solar dryer. In addition to trainings at universities, the volunteer visited a mango dehydration business. The volunteer found that the current solar dryer design at their facility is allowing for too much humidity to enter and therefore, not a

Volunteers Trevor Hylton and Brian Rosa examine butternut squash crop with Hauraruni members Over the past 18 months or so, Partners' Farmer to Farmer Program has been assisting the Haururuni Friendly Farmers Society in their shadehouse and in-field production of vegetables. You may remember previous blog posts about their efforts and challenges - growing crops in very sandy soils, experimenting with shadehouse production of vegetables and other technologies. We are excited to announce that their hard work has paid off and Hauraruni has reached its goal: they have recently exported their first crop to Antigua and Barbados! Whereas only 60% of the crop - butternut squash - was expected to be deemed export quality, a startling 91% was determined to be high enough quality for export. The farmers are able to sell the remaining crop to local markets, and they are planning to send a 200 lb sample to New York City. This achievement is a significant success since small-scale farmers

World Food Day is an event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. It is observed each October 16th in recognition of the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The theme of this year’s observance is “United Against Hunger” chosen to recognize the efforts made in the fight against world hunger at national, regional and international levels. In order to overcome hunger and food insecurity, we need to increase global food production without degrading soils and the environment. To achieve food secure populations, it is necessary to improve access, availability, stability, and quality of food. Partners’ Farmer to Farmer Program is contributing to food security and fighting hunger in the communities and countries where we work. Farmer to Farmer volunteers have assisted cooperatives, businesses, small farmers, and associations to improve their practices, yielding more crops and higher profits giving families

Global Giving is matching donations at 30% or more from now until October 21, or until funds run out! Partners of the Americas' Farmer to Farmer Program supports a project on Global Giving called "Feeding Families". Donations support agricultural development and food production in the mountain village of Grand Boulage, Haiti, and FTF volunteers supplement these materials and inputs with training. Support the project now and make your donation count even more! For more information on the project or on FTF activities in Grand Boulage, click on the image below or on the "Grand Boulage" Label on the right hand column of this blog.

What difference does the Farmer to Farmer Program make? Below are just a few outcomes of Partners of the Americas' FTF Program from this year. Thank you to all the volunteers and partners who have contributed to these successes! And remember, a little can go a long way. For example, in Haiti the difference between a child going to school and not going to school is only $50/year in school fees, which is out of reach for the majority of families. Our Haitian staff report that 74% of improved rabbit producers working with FTF are able to send their children to school. Guyana Volunteer Trevor Hylton discusses butternut squash packaging with Hauraruni FFS Chairman and Packaging Facilities Manager Before FTF assistance, the Hauraruni Friendly Farmers Society was limited to agricultural production of some vegetables and beans only in shadehouses and for local markets because of the very sandy soils in the area. With drip irrigation technology and training, they now have the capa

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations recently published about small-scale dairy production. The study confirms that working with the dairy value chain is a way out of poverty and a sustainable income generating activity for small-scale producers.   "Better farm management practices, expanding dairy herd sizes and increasing milk yields could easily improve smallholder labour productivity, which currently is rather low. "Dairy sector development can therefore be a potent tool for poverty reduction," the UN report said."  "Any dairy development strategy, the FAO/IFCN study recommends, must not exclusively focus on dairy producers but improve competitiveness throughout the entire dairy production chain, targeting farmers, input suppliers, milk traders, processors, retailers and others. Creating value in every part of the chain ultimately also benefits consumers who are then able to obtain more dairy products for the same amount of money

Over the years, Partners of the Americas' Farmer to Farmer Program has provided training to beekeepers in many countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including Panama, Bolivia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Antigua and Haiti. Beekeeping has many environmental, nutritional, and health benefits in addition to being a source of income for farmers and their families. Many countries in the region also have a comparative advantage in beekeeping due to climatic factors - Nicaragua can produce honey for 8 months out of the year! Here are a few photos from the archives, combined with a recent one from our Beekeeping project in Haiti. Enjoy! Antigua, 2003 Bolivia, 2002 Haiti, 2009

Volunteers are the Farmer to Farmer Program's best resources. Here you see Benito Jasmin, agribusiness leader and Partners of the Americas' Haiti FTF Coordinator (sporting the Partners' FTF T-shirt!) and FTF volunteer Myriam Kaplan-Pasternak in Argentina, where they recently attended a World Rabbit Science Association conference. Thanks to Myriam's fundraising, Benito was able to travel to Argentina and attend the conference, as well as spend time with with Apitrack and prominent queen bee raisers in Argentina. Thank you Myriam for offering training and exposure to Haitian agribusiness leaders and trainers, in Haiti and in Argentina!

Texas A&M University - Kingsville recently published a news article about Steven Lukefahr's Farmer to Farmer trip to Haiti. Dr. Lukefahr is an expert in rabbit production and genetics and has traveled around the world to assist rabbit producers. Click here to read about his trip.

FTF Volunteers Cheryl Diermyer and Lauren Rosen use creative means to collect footage of available dairy products in Nicaragua Other potential captions for this photo include: Was this activity outlined in my Farmer to Farmer volunteer assignment scope of work? "Bananas - check. Salad - check. Woman with camera - check...?" This is much more entertaining than my desk job Read more about their unique assignment here and here .