Organic Coffee in Nicaragua

By -
Written by F2F Nicaragua volunteer, Arthur Bassett

Arriving to Nicaragua the mind is always wondering, “what could be the outcome of this volunteer project”. These projects are a special time to work with great people from around the world. This trip was my first time getting to work with coffee farmers in the Madriz department of Nicaragua.

Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) assignments can vary with their topics but this assignment involved training farmers and staff from the NGO Fabretto and their 5 de Junio cooperative members. We trained students that were young men and women so that they can be experts in their area. Everyone was very excited to learn about how to manage organic certification for a healthy product and an improved value to their coffee.

Our plan was simple: to do a mock inspection and teach a class on how to do an inspection. Our program involved going to fields, storage areas, seedling nurseries and other areas used in production to see what needed to be reviewed for an organic coffee inspection. We then spent two days in the class room talking about the key parts for an inspection, like structure, logistics, ETHICS, organic law in the world, health and hygiene (Tippy Tap), the workings of the National Organic Program (NOP) law, and a test for a certificate in training. In addition to organic certification we also did a course on coffee cupping training for youth in the area. We visited a coffee processing warehouse so that students could see improved drying methods and lot number systems.

Some things that stood out during my visit was the fact that many farmers in the area must deal with hunger. The students asked if they could plant food in their coffee parcels and they told me the answer, “Yes! As long as all production is organic.” In the area water shortages are also an issue. I decided to implement a Tippy tap training. Not only because it is a great way to conserve water but also because people need to be happy and healthy to make great work. (http://www.tippytap.org/ ) We also stressed the importance of Ethics and the students did some dramas involving ethical situations during inspections. Here is their drama in Spanish:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXhN9M6E9eI

I am so proud to be a Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer and be part of help and assistance in the world. The value of this program is so great and reaches far beyond the participants of this class. I used the train the trainer model of teaching and I know that students in the classes will share what they learned. I hope to see them one day in Nicaragua or in the US as successful individuals!



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Better Marketing and Communications to Showcase the Work of our Hosts in Colombia

By -
Image
Salva Terra Foundation has focused on supporting vulnerable communities through sustainable agriculture. They work with impoverished populations and victims of violence in Medellin and aim to promote farming and develop local skills to work in the agricultural industry in an ecological manner. This process of bringing together concepts such as social impact, sustainable development, environmental protection, and food security requires excellent outreach and promotion. Therefore, they requested a F2F volunteer to help them develop a communication and marketing plan. The chosen volunteer for this assignment was Dr. Sindy Chapa. She has a B.A. in Mass Media Communications, with a Minor in Television and Art Design, an MBA, and Ph.D. in International Business/Marketing. She is the Director and Associate Professor at the Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University and has won several communications awards. Dr. Chapa decided to use Salva Terra as one of the case
Read more

My First Goat: A Professor, Students, and some Goats Tackle Food Insecurity in Rural Guatemala

By -
Image
Two Worlds Come Together to Build New Solutions against Malnutrition What does a USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) expert volunteer group from the island of Puerto Rico have to do with combatting food insecurity in Guatemala? Everything.  F2F volunteer Gabriela Colón Rios trains Mam Indigenous women to better care for their goats which will improve food security and reduce high malnourishment rates. Chiantla, Guatemala. Photo Credit: Monica Gonzalez In March 2023, a group of five eager F2F volunteers arrived in Huehuetenango (Huehue), Guatemala, with hearts and minds set on combatting food insecurity in a part of the world unknown to them.  Over the next 10 days, this team of experts would consider Huehue, in Guatemala’s Western Highland region, their new home and office. Accompanying them on their mission would be faithful companions and mighty conduits of change: goats.  Communities in this region live at altitudes reaching 10,000 feet above sea level nestled by captivating mountai
Read more

Digital Marketing in Colombia

By -
Image
Digital Marketing is one way that entrepreneurs and producers across the globe can reach new markets and increase sales. But what is digital marketing and how can a small Colombian business use it to maximize the number of people who come across its brand? These are the questions that Zen Naturals was asking itself. Zen Naturals is a natural cosmetic manufacturing company based in Cali, Colombia. Zen Naturals develops natural cosmetics made from exotic ingredients from Colombia’s outstanding biodiversity. Through ethical manufacturing and fair trade practices, they are also taking a leadership role in re-investing in the communities that grow the ingredients used in their products. Currently, Zen Naturals supports more than 95 Colombian quinoa farming communities through Fair-Trade Practices and technical assistance on their production. Zen Naturals is preparing to launch their quinoa facial care products in Whole Foods Markets in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. in 2017.
Read more