At Winrock International, we believe in empowering communities by enabling them to be self-sufficient and equipping them with the necessary tools to build and strengthen their organizations. One of our most successful projects is the Farmer-to-Farmer program in Senegal, where we aim to improve the organizational development skills of the ANAMO group members. The objective is to teach, inspire, and enable these farmers to manage and operate their group effectively, transforming them into efficient producers and processors. Our project encompassed broad and comprehensive training covering various crucial aspects. These included understanding roles and responsibilities, honing leadership skills, improving decision-making processes, enhancing communication, and mastering conflict resolution. We also delved into the complex yet rewarding areas of group dynamics, advocacy, transparency, accountability, and administrative and financial management. Each of these areas is a vital cog in the organizational machine, and their mastery ensures the smooth functioning of any group.

The training was designed to do more than impart knowledge. We wanted to equip the participants with organizational capacity tools that would enable them to survive and thrive. By fostering these skills, we aimed to empower the group members to develop income-generating activities, collaborate with partners, and strengthen their network, all while involving all group members in the process. The topics requested by the participants – such as leadership, communication, conflict resolution, and entrepreneurship – were successfully developed and presented. This ensured that the training was tailored to their needs, and it was rewarding to see its tangible impact on their activities. In the words of the Coordinator of ANAMO Thienaba, Mamadou Diallo, “We have been fortunate to receive this training. It allowed us to get connected and develop our network. Now, I will lead the House of Tool I manage differently in terms of its functioning.” These words encapsulate the transformative impact of the Farmer-to-Farmer initiative.

As we continue to work with the ANAMO group members, seeing the ripple effect of the training sessions is inspiring. The knowledge and skills gained benefit the participants and their communities. It is a testament to the power of education and the strength of a community when it has given the right tools to grow. At Winrock International, we are dedicated to creating and supporting initiatives that make fundamental, sustainable changes in communities worldwide. The Farmer-to-Farmer project in Senegal is just one of the many ways we are striving to make a difference, and we are excited to see the lasting impacts of our work in the years to come.

A successful mission is always anchored in effective communication. Yet, the beauty of human connection lies in its boundless nature. Even when we speak disparate languages, a shared intent can lead to an enriching discourse. A hodgepodge of words, laughter, and good-natured gestures can create a rhythm of its own, constructing bridges of understanding where once language barriers stood.

Imagine stepping into an unfamiliar environment professionally, armed not with a complete linguistic toolbox but a raw determination to communicate. Often, we find ourselves in such settings, unacquainted with the local dialect, reliant on a well-meaning translator who cannot shadow our every interaction. This is where we are challenged to engineer these bridges of human connection using whatever resources we possess. Yet, the essence of communication transcends mere words. Our most potent tools are non-verbal: a sincere smile, an open posture, and expressive hand gestures. These universal tokens can pave the way to understanding even when we engage with strangers who do not share our language. Our shared human curiosity and will to connect can spark a rapport that sets effective communication in motion.

Every new environment is an invitation to heightened awareness. The unfamiliar becomes an orchestra of new sounds, scents, and sights, a sensory adventure urging us to learn more, live deeper, and embrace every experience. The joy of such open-hearted exploration forms the foundation of our assistance to others in myriad forms. At the end of the day, the privilege to serve our fellow humans fuels our endeavors. The degree of success in any venture is intimately tied to the intention behind the effort, reaffirming that circumstances do not dictate outcomes.

Take my experience in the rural district capital of Fatick, Senegal. Upon arrival, I discovered that the only available water source was a scantily mounted outdoor faucet, dispensing merely a pencil-thin stream of water. Undeterred, we used this meager flow to operate a canning kitchen, illustrating that our determination was our most potent resource, leading us to success against the odds. By embracing the universal language of empathy and resilience, we can turn any challenge into a victory, drawing a map of human connection that transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries.

Nancy Kaboh, Victoria Relief Foundation: “A big thank you to USAID through Winrock International for this training. It was very comprehensive, and Dr. Khalid did an excellent job explaining every step. Having a dedicated group of spawn producers will enable us to consistently have mushrooms, a critical component of the process.”

Dr. Khalid Hameed, F2F Volunteer: “I feel immensely grateful to have had the chance to meet these people and witness their situation firsthand. The spirit of camaraderie and mutual learning created a wonderful atmosphere. I was particularly struck by their enthusiasm and ambition to expand their mushroom farming efforts.”

Faced with an increasing demand for organic products, mushroom cultivation in Nigeria is blossoming into a lucrative agribusiness. The high nutritional and medicinal value of mushrooms and readily available and affordable raw materials make this industry ripe with opportunity. However, like any growing sector, mushroom farming also contends with hurdles such as postharvest losses and insufficient storage facilities.

Enter Winrock International’s Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program, which aims to galvanize the potential of mushroom farming as a catalyst for job creation and poverty alleviation. By conducting a ‘Training of Trainers on Production and Management of Oyster Mushroom,’ F2F equipped local mushroom producers with practical production and management techniques. These efforts aimed to mitigate the need for more skilled trainers in mushroom cultivation.

Leading the training was F2F volunteer Dr. Khalid Hameed. His first step was a thorough assessment of the host’s laboratory and incubation room, a testament to the host’s unwavering commitment to succeed. Dr. Hameed provided vital training resources such as agar, culture media, spawn, and various bag types sourced locally and through volunteers. To ensure hands-on learning, the participants were grouped for practical sessions, where they received comprehensive instructions on culture preparation, substrate sterilization, spawn application, and bagging techniques.

With his emphasis on locally available resources and stringent sanitation measures, Dr. Hameed facilitated an inclusive training environment that minimized contamination risks. Throughout the training, he witnessed a resounding enthusiasm and ambition among the participants to excel in mushroom farming.

Nancy Kaboh, a representative of the host Victoria Relief Foundation, expressed her gratitude towards USAID and Winrock International for making the training possible. She highlighted the training’s critical outcome: forming a dedicated group of spawn producers to ensure a continuous mushroom supply, a cornerstone of successful mushroom farming.

However, this initiative’s impact extended far beyond acquiring technical skills. Dr. Hameed fostered a welcoming and empowering environment that facilitated meaningful connections among participants. He found deep satisfaction in witnessing participants bolster their farming practices and gain a broader understanding of mushrooms’ nutritional and medicinal significance.

This training program exemplifies Winrock International’s commitment to empowering local communities through the Farmer-to-Farmer program. By equipping mushroom growers with the necessary knowledge and skills, addressing infrastructure gaps, and cultivating a sense of community, mushroom cultivation is transformed into a viable avenue for economic growth and poverty alleviation in Nigeria.

Volunteer Stephen Gary Bullen’s recent return to Africa set the stage for a transformative success story–a testimony to the power of strategic knowledge sharing and capacity building in transforming the agricultural sector. His journey took him to the heart of Ghana’s agrarian domain, a sector that serves as the country’s economic powerhouse, accounting for 54% of its GDP and over 40% of its export earnings.

One of the country’s significant agricultural challenges is post-harvest losses, which result in an annual loss of at least 30% of farm produce. A solution to this issue is the potential of agro-processing to minimize these losses and meet the escalating demand for processed foods, particularly among middle to high-income urban dwellers. Bullen’s encounter with Hope Rural Investment (HRI), a group of ambitious smallholder farmers, offers hope within this context.

Determined to mitigate these post-harvest losses and boost its market share, Hope Rural Investment sought to strengthen its market strategy and business skills, enabling them to deliver high-quality local raw materials and introduce its products to new markets. Their eagerness to learn and adapt led to a six-day comprehensive workshop organized by the Department of Agriculture – Bechem, Tano South Municipal, and Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana. The workshop’s mission was to empower these farmers with strategic marketing and business negotiation skills and help them penetrate new markets and expand their market share.

This intensive workshop, which saw the participation of thirty dedicated Hope Rural Investment members, centered around developing and implementing an effective marketing strategy. Despite the workshop’s short duration, the participants took full advantage of the opportunity, absorbing invaluable insights on marketing strategy development. The organizers offered much-needed materials, outlines, and guidance to further their ongoing marketing activities and exercises.

Unfortunately, the workshop could not thoroughly address contract negotiation due to time constraints. However, this challenge birthed an innovative solution: selecting a group within Hope Rural Investment to specialize in negotiations and exploring new markets. This specialized group will utilize Hope Rural Investment’s proven group marketing approach, ensuring the collective benefit of all members.

The conclusion of this workshop marked a critical turning point in Hope Rural Investment’s journey towards bolstered market penetration and financial growth. With new-found marketing acumen, improved contract management capabilities, and enhanced negotiation techniques, Hope Rural Investment is set to make significant strides in widening its market presence and capturing untapped opportunities.

With a dynamic marketing plan that perfectly aligns with customer needs and profitability, Hope Rural Investment is poised to make waves in the agricultural sector. They are set to deliver exceptional product offerings, streamline distribution, execute targeted promotional activities, and offer remarkable service across diverse market segments.

The tale of Hope Rural Investment’s transformation, facilitated by Stephen Bullen, is a testament to Winrock’s Farmer-to-Farmer Program’s potential. It demonstrates the remarkable impact of collaborative efforts, knowledge exchange, and capacity building in driving sustainable growth within the agricultural sector. The investment in the skills and abilities of rural farmers is rapidly shifting the course of Ghana’s agricultural industry toward economic prosperity.

Through unwavering support and empowering initiatives such as these, Hope Rural Investment and other similar groups are steadily transforming the agricultural landscape of Ghana. The ripple effects of this transformation promise increased sales, improved livelihoods, and a brighter future for all involved stakeholders.

As we share this success story, we celebrate the power of the Farmer-to-Farmer program and Winrock International’s dedication to cultivating prosperity in rural communities. We’re committed to our mission of nurturing similar success stories and amplifying the transformative power of collaborative knowledge sharing and capacity building for a brighter and more sustainable future in agriculture.

I have always enjoyed travel shows, and food shows, and especially travel shows about food. Watching Anthony Bourdain eating his way around the likes of Vietnam in No Reservations, I’d often think how I too would love to host a travel food show. But I am a Vietnamese–Filipino woman. Naturally, I look nothing like Anthony Bourdain. How could the food establishment ever let a face like mine speak about my own people’s cuisine to the American masses? my younger self would wonder. It’s in response to questions like these that I have felt the most conviction about entering spaces that were never made for me and claiming them for myself. I have perhaps found fertile ground to plant a flag for people of color in an unlikely place: an American government program.

Since 1985, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Farmer-to-Farmer Program has mobilized over 20,000 volunteers to help farmers and agribusiness professionals in developing countries improve their livelihoods and food security. American volunteers offer technical assistance along the entire agricultural value chain, from crop production to marketing and business development skills. Many of their beneficiaries are people of color, receiving training intended to help improve their livelihoods and food security. However, despite the program’s intentions to promote cultural exchange and represent the broad range of expertise that the U.S.’ diverse population can provide, less than 20% of volunteers have been people of color themselves.

Noting this gap in representation, USAID has partnered with Winrock International, a Farmer-to-Farmer implementer, to increase diversity and inclusion among its volunteers. More than a numbers game, the Farmer-to-Farmer DEI Initiative is focused on lessons learned, investigating what changes need to be made to attract and ensure the success of volunteers of color.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, in early attempts to bring on more people of color, Winrock recruiters have encountered a recurring question from would-be volunteers and institutional partners: “You haven’t sought our expertise up to this point, so why should we help you now?” And what a reasonable question, I thought, as a woman of color myself, starkly aware of how people of color have been excluded from government-funded programs, with farmers of color in particular having been denied support in times of need.

As a Winrock staff member searching for these answers, I have had the privilege of speaking with Winrock’s Volunteer Champions, a cohort of veteran volunteers committed to mentoring new volunteers of color. With their wisdom fresh in my mind, I encourage potential volunteers to think about the benefits our participation might bring to us, rather than the proverbial diversity checkbox.

For some, like Felicia Bell, a farmer from Brandon, Mississippi and Maurice Dawson, a professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, volunteering with Farmer-to-Farmer is a way to connect with their ancestral lands and give back to their forebears. Dawson explains that many people of color in the United States have never had a chance to visit the places where their families come from. He encourages his students to take advantage of Farmer-to-Farmer as an expenses-paid opportunity to not only visit, but also give back to a place where the people look just like them. During his own volunteer assignments across West Africa, Dawson describes, “It was like being welcomed home.”

For others, Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer assignments are at once an opportunity for people of color to feel appreciated for what we bring to the table, and to claim a space for ourselves––to say, here too, we belong. Winrock’s former Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Anjali Patel, explained the difference between diversity and inclusion as “being invited to the party” and “being asked to dance.” The opportunity to volunteer with Farmer-to-Farmer may at last represent professionals of color being asked to dance, and being deservedly thanked for the expertise, skill, passion, and grace with which they do so. In the words of Neelam Canto-Lugo, a professor at Yuba College, Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer assignments are a space “to feel included in the American fabric.”

It should go without saying that people of color have much to offer, but I know from experience that so often it can feel for people of color as though our skills are not wanted, that we are not valued. With Farmer-to-Farmer, the hosts who receive volunteers prove otherwise time and time again. Many of the Volunteer Champions note the gratitude with which their knowledge is greeted by those who participate in their training sessions. Having had a real impact on their lives, these participants show in their outright expressions of thanks and in how they implement what they have learned, how much they appreciate what volunteers have done. People of color here in the U.S. have so much to give, and it’s high time that USAID and its implementing partners make their recognition of this fact deeply felt, because Farmer-to-Farmer hosts––people of color around the world––already have.