Volunteer Posts
A Pedagogical Experience
April 4, 2017
Over two decades, farm owner David Pearce has completed 45 volunteer assignments in 15 countries for Winrock International, most often with the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program. A recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Service Award and the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance “Volunteer of the Decade” award (honorable mention), Pearce is a dedicated and dynamic […]
Nepal Farmers Are Quick To Adopt Simple Aquaculture Technologies
March 28, 2017
Fish farming, beyond other agriculture activities, is practiced by youth as a main source of income in Nepal. Gaining skills on improved management practices like water quality management and learning to adjust inputs based on pond fertilization results, can lead to decreases in fish mortality rates, and thus diminish economic losses for youth-led businesses. F2F volunteer, Dr. […]
Winrock Celebrates Our Farmer Volunteers on National Agriculture Day
March 21, 2017
March 21, 2017 marks National Agriculture Day, a day to celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture. U.S. farmers grow the food that feeds us daily. Under the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer program, U.S. farmers have also been generously volunteering their time and sharing their agricultural expertise with farmers around the globe. Our volunteers also come from […]
Quest for Sustainable Agriculture
March 14, 2017
When I initially read the notice about Winrock International needing a volunteer to teach pesticide safety and IPM; I got excited immediately. I teach people who want to become urban pest management professionals as well as continuing education credits (CEUs) for existing applicators in multiple states. In addition, I also give community talks about insect […]
Education and a Celebration
March 7, 2017
Dr. Billye Foster, Professor of Agriculture at Tennessee Tech University recently returned from her first Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer trip with Winrock in Guinea. She worked with faculty and staff to improve administration of agriculture schools. During her trip, Dr. Foster kept a journal. Today’s blog is an excerpt from a day in Tolo. After spending Saturday […]
“Even Amongst Cultural Differences, Farmers All Over the World Are Very Similar…”
February 28, 2017
During my normal appointment in the United States I help teach and promote bovine artificial insemination to help small farmers increase the genetic potential of their herd. After doing this for several years, I thought it was time to broaden my awareness of artificial insemination in other parts of the world and travel to countries […]
Rich Illustrations and Examples for Micro-gardening
February 24, 2017
“My assignment in Senegal with Winrock International on micro-garden was such wonderful experience. It enriched my knowledge of human development and of the integrity of cultural diversity as fundamental keys to ensure sustainable development and social cohabitation. My mission could not have been completed without the humble professional support from both the Djilor Professional Training […]
The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Myanmar Farmers
February 16, 2017
I had met the country director of Winrock’s office in Myanmar, Dr. Ai Thanda Kyaw, about two years ago while on an assignment in Nepal. While in Nepal for a regional meeting, she expressed a desire to visit the birth place of Buddha. The site was near the town, where my wife, Mary, and I […]
In Memory of a Beloved Volunteer
February 9, 2017
Winrock volunteer Robert (Bob) Albrecht passed away unexpectedly in January. He was an inspiration and will be truly missed. Bob began his volunteer service with Winrock International in August 2001 with an assignment in Nigeria focused on fisheries design and management. After that first trip, he spent two months working with host, Ife Central Fish Farmers, […]
Greening Up Neighborhoods in Senegal
January 23, 2017
Farming is a constant responsibility, but luckily we get a little time off in the winter when the crops are dormant. It’s the time I look to broaden my awareness of the world, and traveling to countries with intact agricultural societies is my favorite way to do that. I just returned from my 4th Winrock […]