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Volunteer Placement Plan 1998APPLES: The good news is that the Belen growers are harvesting better apples this year, thanks to Jim, Nick, and Elizabeth. They are beginning to harvest now, which is very early because of the weather. The apple grinder arrived just in time and is now in Belen. FTF apple volunteers this year: We want to organize apple growers workshops for all Honduran apple growers. The idea is to hold 4-5 day training workshops in La Esperanza and in Belen and invite apple growers from around the country to these workshops. Field visits would be part of the workshops. The major topics of the workshop would be improving apple color, harvesting and post-harvest handling, and increasing tree vigor (these themes are subject to input from Jim and Nick). Perhaps the best strategy is to bring down 2-3 Vt. apple vols. who would participate in the seminars and then each go to a specific area to work at the farm level. FOOD PROCESSING: The food processing machinery is now working well. Aldea Global is negotiating with a European company interested in buying processed fruit. There is now a need for 1-2 volunteers who can help set up production lines and work on production processing problems. These vols. can come anytime, although June-Sept. would be the best times. About a year ago I visited a community agricultural processing plant on the way to St. Albans, the manager Brian Norder, Project Coordinator, Vermont Food Venture Center, a multi-tech center that helps value added food producers develop and market their projects, is very willing to work with PAG was very interested in coming down. Elizabeth Skinner knows the manager. AGRO FORESTRY: Kim Batchelder, FTF Volunteer had a very successful visit with Honduras Siempre Verde. HSV works with cooperatives and organized groups of wood cutters who cut lumber using methods approved by Smart Wood for certification. HSV is a growing organization and the FTF project is working with them on organizational strengthening and agro-forestry. Among other forms of collaboration the FTF project will invite agriculture promoters working with HSV to the sustainable agriculture workshops. During this year we anticipate fielding 1-2 more volunteers to HSV. ORGANIC GROWING: There is a lot of interest in all topics related to organic/ sustainable agriculture. The best way to get this project off the ground is to hold 2, week long training workshops, one in the south-central part of the country and the other in the northern part of the country. The following themes will work well for the first workshop:
AGRO-ECOLOGY: The first Honduran Conservation Corps camp was successfully completed January 1998. 23 volunteers from around the country participated. The group worked on environmental projects, agricultural projects, and community education projects. Another camp is being planned for later this year and week end activities are being planned by the corps members. A FTF volunteer is needed for this project, someone willing to live in a camp setting and teaching agro-forestry, flora and fauna identification, organic agriculture, utilizing forest products for human consumption (a Uhel Gibbons, Stalking the Wild Asparagus type), and recycling waste at the small community level. While in Vt. in June, John Chater will define this project with the Vt. FTF committee, The Vermont Conservation Corps, and the Volunteers for Peace program (Belmont, Vt.). PEACE CORPS: For 1998 a FTF volunteer with Grape growing experience is being sought to work with a group of farmers interested in grape production. In 1998 we anticipate fielding 2 volunteers through the Peace Corps. Fundacion Hondurena Investigaciones Agricola (FHIA): FHIA is interested in a number of volunteers. To get started with FHIA we are working with them on apples and will invite them to take part in the sustainable agriculture workshops and in the food processing assignment. The following are topics they have expressed specific interest in:
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