Farmer to Farmer in the News

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The Farmer to Farmer program has been featured in a few news pieces recently! Volunteer Gary Hickman was featured in the online Dominican paper Hoy. The article shares his view on the greenhouse horticulture industry in the Dominican Republic, especially as it relates to exporting to the US and competing with Mexico. Click here to read the full article in Spanish.
Pictured above, a hillside in the Dominican Republic,
growing plantains and beans.
Also related to Farmer to Farmer in the Dominican Republic, The Adirondack Enterprise published an article about the relationship that has formed between Paul Smith’s College and the Escuela de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (School of Environment and Natural Resources) in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. First introduced through their involvement in the Farmer to Farmer program, college officials from both schools are hoping to exchange knowledge about forest management and increase ecotourism in the Dominican Republic. Read more about this unique new relationship here.

In Guyana, The Guyana Chronicle Online recently ran an article highlighting a hydroponics project implemented by the Partners of the Americas’ Guyana chapter [watch our Guyanese hydroponics and shadehouse success story here]. The Chronicle takes notice of the popularity hydroponics seems to be gaining as a horticultural technique. Since its introduction in the 70’s, hydroponics has allowed more people to grow their own vegetables throughout the country in spite of poor soil. In Nicaragua, horticulture volunteer Tom Syverud was featured in his local Wisconsin paper, The Daily Press, describing the purpose behind his trip and his motivations for going:
“[Gardening] just kind of comes second nature to us. We have the chance to read so much and there are different gardening shows on TV. We have tons of information. None of that is available down there...I think it’s really important for us to help other people. I feel really grateful that I can do that."
-Syverud from The Daily Press July 2, 2011
Additionally, avid Farmer to Farmer volunteer and “Ag Guru” Dean Wheeler was featured in his local paper as well. The Davis Enterprise interviewed Wheeler, who has over 50 years of agricultural experience and 14 Farmer to Farmer volunteer trips under his belt. When asked about his future with the program, Wheeler said, “I don’t see myself stopping anytime soon. I’d like to do it twice a year, if possible.” Wheeler has traveld to the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua with Partners of the Americas’ Farmer to Farmer program. Read the full article here.

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