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Rotary Year 2014-2015
This grant will build upon the success of the 2013 Farmer Empowerment Global Grant. Last year, partner non-profit Semilla Nueva began creating sustainable Agricultural groups and Food security groups in five communities in Guatemala. These groups use promotores, local volunteer leaders, to experiment with new sustainable farming and food technologies which help them increase their income, rebuild their soils and improve their food security. The overall goal of this project is to create a locally-led, self-sustaining source of agricultural and food security expertise that can funcation far into the future. In the first year the project has seen great success in farmer interest, participation and experimentation with technologies. However, due to the nature of agriculture's slow change, continued experimentation and training is needed in order to move towards technology adoption, local leadership and long-term regional impact. This grant will support activities for year two of the project, providing additional training to sustainable agriculture and food security groups, expansion of technology experimentation and the fortification of local leadership.
Timeline will be the entire year of 2014 and into the year of 2015 and continuing into the future.
Planting such crops as QPM (Quality Protein Maize), chaya a crop which can be used not only for human consumption (incorporated into the making of tortillas) but also for their livestock. Pigeon pea, a crop which is utilized for human consumption but also as a green manure from it leaves.
Sustainable framing practices are taught and implemented with the local farmers: i.e., non-burn practice for their fields, zero tilling of the fields, crop roation and the use of green manure.These practices are used to demonstrate and evaluate the benefit of increasing the organic content of their fields and better yields in the future.
Funds to be used for : Vehicle (4 wheel drive Mazda pick-up) to visit the 5 communites, fuel and maintenance thereof; services contract for an agronomist and soil analysis, field materials..especially seeds such as QPM; educational and conference materilas for farmers, promotor training courses,food security attendees and future possible partners.
Rotarians from our Club and District will make on site visits to the commuinities in Guatemala to observe and participate in planting and harvesting.
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