F2F Haiti Volunteer Spotlight: Robert Spencer

Robert Spencer during an assignment in Guatemala in 2016

Alabama Extension agent, Robert Spencer, has been a long-time F2F volunteer with Partners of the Americas. During the current program cycle he completed 5 assignments, including 2 in Haiti on food safety and quality. His first assignment in the country was in September 2015, working with F2F host, Makouti Agro-Enterprise, and several rabbit producers in the northern region of the country. The focus of this trip was to train small animal producers in meat quality assurance and safety. Following site visits to producer farms, Robert conducted four days of workshops to address food quality and safety concerns that he observed. His presentations focused on HACCP, food safety and quality across value chains, and public relations in the meat industry. While in Haiti, Robert also visited over ten restaurants to conduct needs assessments and interviews to gain a better understanding of food safety expectations, inspection practices, and overall concerns coming from restaurant managers. During his discussions with owners, he learned that a major concern for them was the lack of a uniform commercial standard for meat cuts that are internationally recognized. Robert recommended future assistance in this area to train all relevant restaurant employees in proper cuts of meats and other areas of food safety and quality. Furthermore, he suggested that Makouti initiate a training program for all associated farmers on food safety and meat quality to continue building their capacity in these subjects.

A year later in November 2016, Robert returned to Haiti for another assignment—this time related to goat meat production and management. During this trip, he worked alongside another F2F volunteer, Myriam Pasternak, to deliver a series of workshops to goat producers in Cap Haitian, Robillard, and Ferrier. The two volunteers were able to procure supplies for a goat evaluation demonstration during their second week. During the event, Spencer led a group activity to discuss and demonstrate proper evaluation of individual goats. Participants were provided evaluation sheets and assigned a number of goats. Participants went over several assessment criteria including aging based on teeth, FAMACHA scoring, eye health, and body condition. Other workshops and trainings featured discussions on goat feeding, health, and reproduction, as well as proper conditions of farms. Overall, Robert felt that participants were very receptive and enthusiastic. However, he did recommend continued efforts in emphasizing the importance of goat health and increasing production quality.

Since his two assignments in Haiti, Robert returned as an F2F volunteer in 2017 to conduct trainings in Guatemala on value-added goat milk products. Robert Spencer is an Urban Regional Extension Specialist at the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. He holds a Master’s degree in Agribusiness Management from the Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University.