In the fall of 2013, Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) volunteers worked with the USAID/Guinea Agriculture Education and Market Improvement Program (AEMIP) and faculty from the Institut Supérieur Agronomique Valéry Giscard d’Estaing de Faranah (ISAVF) to conduct an institutional assessment of ISAVF and to develop an action plan outlining important interventions to enable ISAVF to emerge as a center of excellence in agriculture education and training (AET).

A year later, ISAVF was able to put what they learned during the assessment process into practice, taking the lead to conduct institutional assessments and develop five-year action plans for four agricultural schools across the country. ISAVF selected four faculty to undertake the assessments as volunteers, working with the AEMIP Deputy Program Director, F2F Country Director, and a representative from the Ministry of Technical Education and Professional Training.

This process allowed ISAVF to build internal capacity and also expand its role as a leader and a partner in the collective efforts to strengthen AET in Guinea. (more…)

Every Thursday morning at 9:00 CST (that’s 3 PM in Guinea) a Skype call originates from Winrock’s headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas and connects staff in the US with colleagues in Guinea. The weekly discussion of volunteer assignments and logistical arrangements is often accompanied by the sounds of birds chirping and Conakry traffic in the background. The dedicated and professional individuals on the far end of that call are the reason why so many volunteers who have traveled there before are eager to return to Guinea.

the F2F Guinea team

If you haven’t had the opportunity to go to Guinea and work with Winrock International’s outstanding Farmer-to-Farmer staff, you can read a little about each of them below: (more…)

“For me to be a part of an organization supporting a sustainable system of agriculture is a dream come true and gives me hope.”

–Inspiring words from Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer Mamadou Thiam after his volunteer assignment in Guinea, which focused on providing “training of trainers” to NGO workers on farm management and methods for effective technology transfer to smallholder farmers.

Mamadou’s training and recommendations will enable the NGOs to more effectively assist farmers in applying new technologies and improved practices to increase on-farm production.

In June, Kris Fricke took his first trip to Guinea. His volunteer assignment was focused on training local beekeepers on the conversion of traditional beekeeping into beekeeping as a business. Kris spoke to the Beekeepers Federation of Guinea about bee biology and behavior, instructed the group on how to inspect and improve hives, and taught them how to use the beeswax to make soap and candles. He also shared knowledge about selling the honey and wax products, and offered ideas for business growth. Upon returning from his assignment, Kris reflected on the new friends he made, the rich culture of these people, and the beautiful countryside where they live and work. He has shared his thoughts on Guinea in today’s blog: (more…)

Edie Shannon, who has just returned from Soumbalako, Guinea, shares the following insights: NOT

Central Guinea is a long way from my home in miles, and centuries away in living conditions. I am here to work with a large farm union to help them in organizational development. They know they should be doing more than they are for their farm association members, but don’t know where to begin. (more…)