This month, we wrap up 10 1/2 years of Farmer-to-Farmer activities in El Salvador. While we are disappointed to close our operations there, we are proud of what we have achieved, including
- helping thousands of horticulture, tree crop, and livestock farmers to improve production and increase incomes and sales;
- helping small businesses (including several women- and youth-owned businesses) to improve food safety and quality, introduce new products, and increase sales; and
- strengthening local service providers to improve their support to farmers and entrepreneurs within the agriculture sector.
As a representative from one local host organization states, “The volunteers have been very beneficial. We are now making changes as a result of their recommendations. The training has opened our eyes!”
Winrock’s F2F Country Director, Ricardo Hernandez Auerbach, has been an outstanding leader for Winrock over 15 years. Asked to reflect on his job with F2F, Ricardo offered the following thoughts, which reiterate the dynamic nature of the Farmer-to-Farmer program.
“Farmer-to-Farmer provides a continuous process of learning [for staff as well as beneficiaries]. Over the last ten years with F2F, I learned so many things I never thought I’d learn –from horticulture to livestock to food standards.
To work with volunteers is nice, working with people who don’t just want to make money but who want to share their knowledge. They serve as examples for us. At the end of the day, I always know we are helping someone.”
Thank you, Ricardo, for your leadership! And thanks to the 136 volunteers who have shared their knowledge with Salvadoran farmers and agribusinesses over the last decade!
Here are just a few of our favorite photos:
Volunteer Jim Ryan inspecting tomato crops
Volunteer Ramana Govin provides food process training to Salvadorian small business
Volunteer Alejandra Zegarra trains nursery producers
Volunteer Eliana Pinilla demonstrates sorghum processing techniques