Volunteer Posts
Beginnings and Firsts
March 21, 2019
At the beginning of 2019, Winrock staff from West Africa traveled to the U.S. to discuss the last five years and the next five years of the Farmer-to-Farmer program with other implementing partners. Afterward, everyone on Winrock’s F2F team met, some for the first time, in Washington, D.C., to discuss changes and new ideas. One […]
Extension Specialist Helps Goat Producers in Nepal
March 14, 2019
Dr. David Fernandez, agricultural extension livestock specialist and interim dean of graduate studies and continuing education at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, recently volunteered with Winrock International as part of the USAID Farmer to Farmer program in southwestern Nepal. There, he helped local goat farmers optimize their production practices. “Goat farming is an […]
The Rich Experiences of Farmer-To-Farmer
January 18, 2019
Ibro Diallo started working at Winrock International in October 2013. He has a master’s degree in communication and journalism and is currently finishing up a master’s in Environmental Science. Before coming to work with F2F, Ibro worked 10 years for several NGOs including CLUSA, Aide et Action, IFES, and RTI. On the weekends, Ibro teaches communication […]
Learning from the Past Years with Farmer to Farmer
December 20, 2018
Mike Bassey joined Winrock International in April 2011. Mike is a Certified Accountant and has a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Roehampton, London. Before his work with F2F, Mike managed the Drucker Center for Entrepreneurship Development (DCED) of the Kaduna Business School before joining the World Bank/Government of Nigeria Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise […]
Once a Volunteer, Always a Friend
December 5, 2018
International Volunteer Day is celebrated on December 5 every year. It serves as an opportunity for organizations like Winrock to celebrate volunteerism and reflect on the inspiring work of our volunteers. An important part of volunteerism, and of particular importance to the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program, are the people-to-people connections and cultural bridges formed by […]
From Myanmar to California: Learning to Grow Green Gold
December 4, 2018
Dr. Michael B. Thomas is an agribusiness consultant who has worked in more than 20 countries in the last 20 years as an agricultural and agribusiness expert. Twelve avocado producers, members of the Myanmar Avocado Producer and Exporter Association (MAVO) – a recently formed group of both large and smallholder farmers, have recently completed a […]
Giving Thanks for a Great Program
November 21, 2018
Mama joined Winrock in June 2014, but she has known about Winrock for many years, as she is a member of the Africa Women Leaders in Agriculture and Environment (AWLAE) network that Winrock helped form and strengthen in the 1980s. She received her Master’s in International Agriculture Education from the University of Arizona and spent many […]
Harnessing Senegal’s Post-Harvest Potential Through the Farmer-to-Farmer Program
October 22, 2018
This October, I had the opportunity to leave my post here at Agrilinks to do a volunteer consulting assignment helping develop the next phase of Winrock’s Farmer-to-Farmer program in Senegal. Having worked in international development across the African continent for 15 years, this was among the most satisfying assignments I’ve completed. That’s not just because it meant […]
Enhanced Market Opportunities for Mango Farmers in Burma
October 16, 2018
October 16th is World Food Day, a day to promote awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and a lack of food security. Through USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program, Winrock volunteers are helping contribute to #ZeroHunger by sharing their expertise in sustainable agriculture methods and post-harvest loss reduction. Their efforts help smallholders increase productivity and […]
September Volunteer of the Month
October 12, 2018
Brian Boman was nominated by the Winrock Team because he embodies the ideal traits of a volunteer: technical excellence, flexibility, and passion. His volunteer work truly reflects Winrock’s mission to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources. Brian specializes in water management for agricultural crops and has provided capacity building for local institutions in multi-user irrigation system design; helping […]