This week’s blog comes from Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) volunteer, Rachel Schattman, a Produce Safety Specialist with the University of Vermont and a post-doctoral fellow with the USDA Northeast Climate Hub. She has worked in agriculture for 19 years, either as a farm worker, farm owner or extension specialist.

I have been working in agriculture, either as a farm worker, farm owner, or Extension specialist for 19 years. Recently, I volunteered with Winrock International in Senegal. I accepted the assignment because I was eager to see how farmers in other parts of the world ran their businesses. I was especially excited to see how people grow crops similar to those I am familiar with in a very different climate and soil type.

I volunteered in the Theis region of Senegal, which spans the coastal area between the national capital of Dakar and the colonial city of Saint Louis. In this region, several thousand vegetable farmers grow a diverse range of crops including peanuts, cabbage, eggplant, tomatoes, cassava, and many more. Many farms belong to cooperatives, and these cooperatives are often federated under a single entity.

One such federated co-op, the Coastline Vegetable Producers Union (UML), has a leadership that works diligently to promote the interests of its members. For example, in recent years, they have attracted international funding for an onion drying facility which allows for some members to export onions for the first time. Since 2015, they have partnered with Winrock International to bring agricultural experts to Mboro to train co-op members on agro-ecological practices. I was fortunate to be the third volunteer brought in by Winrock to work with UML. As part of my assignment, I was asked to develop and give a 5-day workshop, to share what I know with the remarkable farmers of UML and I took the opportunity to learn from them in turn.

Volunteer inspecting compost made by UML farmers

I began my volunteer period in mid-September, 2017 with two-days of field visits. On the first day, Winrock field staff Saliou Ndiaye, Ndiame Sene and I met with the President of UML, Soyibou Diaw, at UML headquarters in Mboro. The secretary of UML, Abdoul Aziz Sow, as well as several other members were also present for our discussion on the assignment and some common practices that I would likely see on our field visits. We then visited the farms of two members of UML located near Mboro (Soyibou Diaw, the President of UML, and Galaye Samb, another UML member) Both farmers showed our team the compost they had made following a previous Winrock training, and were eager to discuss how they were applying compost to their fields as well as the challenges they faced.

On the second day, we visited three farms in Joro, north of Mboro by 30km. Our hosts were kind enough to let me try my hand at tilling with a donkey, which was a first for me. Several plots that we observed were on significant slopes and we observed soil erosion related to rainfall and irrigation. Efforts to mitigate the erosion included redirecting water flow through hand-dug trenches. It was clear from these two sets of visits that the farmers of UML are driven by a desire to improve their production practices, and eager to experiment with new growing techniques.

Volunteer getting a chance to try tilling with a donkey.

After the visits, Saliou and I worked together to develop and translate a 5-day training course on soil health and nutrient management based on my observations from the fields and UML’s training requests. Approximately 30 UML members attended the course, which was held in the Mboro town hall. We started the week by covering 5-principles of ecological agriculture: (1) recycling biomass, (2) managing organic matter, (3) keeping nutrients in place, (4) diversification, and (5) synergy. Each principle was accompanied by examples of on-farm management approaches. In response to questions posed by UML participants, we also discussed the specific nutrient needs of crops grown on their farms, how to calculate the nutrient amounts in purchased fertilizer, and a comparison of nutrient amounts contained in a variety of fertilizers (including compost).

Participants practiced calculating nitrogen (N), potassium (P), and phosphorus (K) concentrations in fertilizer mixes based on the weight of the bag and percentage content in the fertilizer mix. I brought with me a home soil test kit and refill pack to use as a demonstration and to leave with UML.  In the last lecture of the workshop series, I showed how the coast of Senegal around Theis is already impaired by nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, and we discussed the importance of not over fertilizing for the protection of coastal areas.

I hope that the workshop provided useful and usable information to the UML farmers. As a volunteer, the experience of working with UML and Winrock was extremely valuable to me. Having only conducted extension and education in the USA, this assignment allowed me to work with growers in a completely different economic, ecological, and social context. It was a challenging and exciting exercise that forced me to return to the basic principles of agro-ecological agriculture, and apply it to an area that is almost the opposite of where I am from, in terms of soil characteristics and climate.  I was impressed and humbled by the UML farmers; there were several farmers, with whom I spoke at length, willing to try new practices, even in the face of a prevailing social pressure to maintain the status quo. The excitement and enthusiasm of the UML farmers is very contagious.

Farmer explaining to the volunteer how he makes his compost

I was very fortunate to work with a skilled professional, Saliou Ndiaye, who not only provided language translation, but also helped me to understand the social norms and expectations of the farmers and their communities. An agricultural professional himself, Saliou was able to help me distill key topics (such as soil pH, and cation exchange capacity) into terms farmers understood easily. Beyond the trainings, my time with Saliou and other members of the Winrock team in Senegal helped me to develop a deep appreciation of Senegalese culture, embodied in their teranga (hospitality) and generosity. I have a deep appreciation for the Dakar-based Winrock team, and I thank them for making this assignment a truly excellent experience.

The Senegalese textile company SODEFITEX plays an important role in rural development. Founded in 1974, the company sources cotton from smallholder farmers in Senegal to produce textiles. SODEFITEX collaborates with a Senegalese financial institution to offer farmers inputs (cotton seeds and fertilizer) on credit and provides advice to farmers on how to improve cotton yield. After the harvest, SODEFITEX purchases the cotton at the farm level at a market price agreed upon before the planting season. After deducting a portion of the value of the harvested cotton to reimburse the input credit, SODEFITEX pays the remainder to the farmer.

These cotton farmers belong to the National Federation of Cotton Producers (FNPC) and are organized in village-level cooperatives to interact with SODEFITEX. Approximately 24,000 farmers in different regions of Senegal currently supply cotton to SODEFITEX. By facilitating input credit, offering farming advice, and purchasing the farmers’ cotton at a price set in advance, SODEFITEX offers valuable services that are often lacking in Senegal.

Unfortunately, cotton yields and production in Senegal have fallen in recent years. Adverse weather has contributed to the decline, but another factor has been lack of management and leadership at the farmer cooperative level. Production declines negatively impact both the farmers and SODEFITEX. Since farmers have not produced enough cotton to meet demand, SODEFITEX has had to turn away customers.

In September, Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer Andy Lohof spent two weeks in Senegal working with SODEFITEX and FNPC officials on training in management and leadership of farmer cooperatives. The training was held in Tambacounda, site of the main SODEFITEX production facility and the largest city in eastern Senegal, located approximately 400km from the capital city of Dakar.

In interactive training sessions with numerous group exercises, Mr. Lohof addressed questions such as how to convince farmers to participate actively in their cooperatives, how to set cooperative priorities, how to define and delegate cooperative responsibilities, and how to estimate the profitability of different crops to make informed planting decisions. At the end of the workshop, Mr. Lohof discussed how to replicate the training topics to the cooperatives at the village level.

In Senegal, per capita income is only $1,000 (less than 2% of that of the United States). Better management of the cotton cooperatives can result in more cotton for SODEFITEX and better lives for Senegalese farmers and their families.

Winrock International’s Nigeria Farmer-to-Farmer staff have nominated Dr. Onesimus Otieno as the December Volunteer of the Month because he is committed and passionate about what he does. Country Director, Mike Bassey, stated that “he is a great student as well as teacher trainer who has a good understanding of his audience and knows how to tailor his teaching and information to the benefit of all. At the completion of his 2016 assignment, the Nigeria F2F Program agreed with the host and the participants’ call for more training as well as a specific request to have the volunteer return to the college in the following school year (2017) for a follow-up training. On the interpersonal skills side, Dr. Otieno relates well with all and has great respect and love for the Nigerian people and for their culture. At the Nigeria F2F Program, we see Dr. Otieno more as a partner, this was evidenced in his driving for five hours with his family from Huntsville, Alabama to visit with me as well as meet with the Winrock headquarters staff in the Summer of 2017.”

Taking a brief interview with the local TV Station, an affiliate of the Nigerian Television Authority.

We asked Dr. Otieno to reflect on his experiences as a Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer. His responses are below:

 Why did you want to volunteer?

First, I saw an opening that made the perfect fit. It was to Senegal, a new place I had never been and I thought it would be a great way to visit while I see just how I can apply my skills in a new context. The duration was long enough to experience the new challenge and make an impact, yet short enough to squeeze into a tight annual schedule.

What was the highlight of your most recent volunteer assignment abroad?

This was a return trip and I met colleagues I had trained before. They had applied some of the skills we learnt and were eager to share their new experience and the changes they had observed in their workplace. Trainees came in larger numbers than we expected. Their enthusiasm was sustained through-out the sessions. The training opened out a new world and they were eager to walk right in.

What made your Winrock volunteer trip distinctive?

The planning and execution was seamless. Head office staff was in constant contact and gave me all the necessary information and detail. I also met people who were so committed to their work and demonstrated a sincere passion for everything they did.

How does your experience affect your worldview?

I realize that we all live in a global village and everything I do can be of impact to others around the world. They too impact me in many ways and I now have a raised consciousness of their environment. My professional focus is now more global and I always assume they are part of my audience everywhere I go.

What advice would you give a new volunteer?

Try it, you will wonder why you did not do it earlier. The world of WI staff and in-country hosts will make you feel like family.

How have your assignments made a difference in your own life?/Has your assignment caused you to do anything differently once you returned?

I find myself tailoring my regular work to an international audience even though they are not present. I have a constant awareness of my experiences there that I even see the world and my work differently.

Why should people consider volunteering?

Volunteering makes a great impact on people and communities around the world – it starts with the volunteers themselves.

How do you feel about the support from Winrock, whether before, during or after your assignments?

What brings me back is the support I get through-out the process. It seems my first call was the beginning of a long-term process that continues even after I have returned home from the assignments. Through this continued contact, I have been made aware of other opportunities within the WI F2F program that I have either participated or referred my colleagues. I find the WI team very welcoming, flexible, and believe that I will only do more of such in the future.

When your friends/family find out that your volunteer assignment aboard, what do they say or ask?

They always want to know more and ask how they can participate. I have introduced some. They all admire these opportunities and none has ever been negative.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?

I teach most of the year and train faculty on the same things I do at the volunteer assignments. This makes things a lot easier.

Does anyone in your life play a role in supporting your involvement? In providing inspiration?

My family has been most inspiring. My mother grew up in a missionary environment and is happy I can also experience some aspect of that. My children are young (7 and 4) and give up family time when I travel. They too accept these assignments and are always happy to know how other children around the world live, play and learn. We stay in contact via the internet and they too have come to appreciate others, just like them around the world.

Do you keep in touch with your host organization? [Host organizations are the organizations that receive volunteer support]

Yes, I hear from them a few times a year. Some communication has been regarding resources, which has been very productive.

Federal Polytechnic (Ado, Ekiti) faculty pose for a picture at the end of training session 2. Mike Bassey, Ndala Booker, Onesimus Otieno, seated third, fourth, fifth from left.

How do you feel that your volunteer assignment has contributed to creating a shared understanding across different cultures through person-to-person interactions?

I have definitely gained a lot of cultural sensitivity. This is in both my technical material but also my personal interactions. I have also observed the way my hosts have interacted with me especially since I have had the privilege of a return trip. They remember many things about me and my environment and try to accommodate me. I have in return learnt to respect their practices and have a good level of comfort interacting with them within this context.

What keeps you going back to volunteer?

The WI staff are very well trained and dedicated. They listen, communicate, and excel so effortlessly and it gives me great confidence working with them so far away from home. Although the work has been rigorous and the schedule very tight, the planning has been so well done that we always came back with a positive experience.

What have you learned from your assignments?

I have learnt that there are many things and skills I have, which many will find useful. I have also learned to develop these skills with my global audience in mind and share them at every opportunity. My assignments have helped me gain insight into my work from a very different perspective. I am more inquisitive in the way I do things and, therefore, more intentional on the overall outcome.

What, if anything, has surprised you on your assignments?

I have been surprised how awareness (or lack thereof) can change the way we view resources around us. I have to remember that everyone wants to do his or her best and makes the best choices based on current knowledge. While I have seen this lack of awareness when I travel, it surprises me that it is on my hosts as well as myself. I return home and seek to do things differently and see resources where I previously did not.

This week’s blog comes from Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) volunteer, David Ringuette. Mr. Ringuette owns and manages Serikaku Farm Ltd., a 15-acre family farm located in Hawaii which produces cacao, banana, lychee, breadfruit, and star fruit. Mr. Ringuette is a retired agriculture coordinator and professor who taught IPM, pesticide safety, plant propagation, irrigation, and soil management. Since retiring, Mr. Ringuette has successfully completed 11 F2F volunteer assignments, many of which have focused on IPM and production of tropical fruits. He has provided volunteer assistance in East and West Africa, Kyrgyzstan, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, and now Myanmar.

In September 2017, I had the opportunity to work on a Farmer to Farmer Assignment in Myanmar. The Farmer to Farmer program is funded by USAID and implemented in Myanmar by Winrock International.

During my 2 weeks in country I worked with citrus growers in southern Shan State on implementing IPM practices. It is a very mountainous area where avocados, tea, and coffee are also commercially grown. These crops were developed as a substitution for poppies. The 77 farmers were eager to learn new pest control strategies. I covered citrus nutrient deficiencies, monitoring techniques, grafting, pruning, physical control, biological control, and use of chemicals.

Like everywhere in the world there were some farmers’ orchards that were in great shape and some needed substantial work, especially pruning. Most farmers did not know the difference between a fungus and bacteria and often applied one chemical for control of everything. One orange grower from Kaungbo village in Yaksauk noted, “We decided to apply a chemical (no matter it is) whenever we saw a problem in our plant. After Winrock F2F’s training on IPM, we understand the need to think and inspect the cause- nutritional deficiency? disease? insect? fungus?”

Teaching farmers how to graft (lining up cambium layers)

Interestingly, farmers told me that there was more money to be made in citrus than any other orchard crop. They wanted to stick with citrus even with some severe disease pressure. Many orchards were intercropped with tea, tomato, garlic, ginger, or mango. I did not understand the mango/citrus system and it seemed to me there was too much resource competition to be successful. The mango usually out competed the citrus. The garlic, ginger, and tomato system lead to deep cultivation and most likely led to root diseases. The system I thought had good potential was tea and citrus. I did discuss with them about chemical application in a 2-crop system.

Discussing pruning in the orchard

The people of Myanmar are very hospitable and accommodating. The lead farmer always had his wife prepare wonderful food for lunch for me and farmers gave me enough tea to start a tea shop. I was also never allowed to carry my bag. I hope, in the future, to return to Myanmar and once again work with these wonderful people.

All of the trainees (I am the one above the Winrock logo). For most of the trainees, I was the first American they have met.

After Mr. Ringuette’s assignment, he expressed, “The growers were very enthusiastic throughout the training. They asked good questions and expressed a sincere willingness to implement the techniques explained. Many farmers inquired about the purchase of pruning tools.” 

Today we celebrate Winrock volunteers who have dedicated their expertise, time, and hearts to helping people in need around the world. Volunteers for Winrock International aren’t just lending manual labor – they’re lending their expertise. Volunteers strengthen service providers to conduct agriculture training programs in Africa and teach best practices to farmers in Asia.

Volunteers who have volunteered with Winrock’s USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer program share what international volunteering has meant to them:

Dr. Bill Foxworth: As a research scientist, my goal has been to develop technologies that assist with livestock reproduction. Improvement in breeding technology leads to more efficient animal production and the greater number of offspring. This is a foundation for feeding more people worldwide and that is my true aim. Volunteering in Nepal afforded me the opportunity to enhance the knowledge base in goat reproduction in a country that relies so heavily on the goat.

Dr. Steven Kovach: By being a volunteer with F2F Program, I am provided the means of sharing my technical knowledge in horticulture and drip irrigation technology to poor farmers in the developing world where their livelihoods can be improved and their food security enhanced.

Dr. Jonathan Deenik: Volunteering is an important part of my life. I volunteer regularly in community work days, taking care of the agricultural land in my community of West Oahu. This commitment to volunteerism was solidified by my 5-years as a Peace Corps volunteer (1985-1991).

 

Ms. Erin Riley: In 1999, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Serving underserved communities is an important part of being a good global community member. The best part of volunteering is the personal growth you get from it. Sometimes you question if you really did any good or you were effective in your teaching. But if you ask yourself “did I learn anything from that experience that will make me a better citizen” most of the time the answer would be yes. You will never regret visiting this amazing place.

What can you do today, in honor of International Volunteer Day? Here are three simple ideas:
• Sign up to volunteer (check out Winrock’s current volunteer openings at www.winrock.org/volunteer)!
• Share this Winrock Volunteers blog (https://winrock.org/volunteer_blog/) or Facebook post with your network, to inspire others to get out and volunteer!
• Send us your thoughts/stories from your volunteer experience(s) –and we’ll include it in a future blog post. (email skabaou@winrock.org). Your stories help us continue to inspire new volunteers!