Agroforestry ThangsHello again- I hope this finds you in fine health and spirits. We have a lot of up-coming events in our project, as usual. You'll be sent more info. in the mail soon, but in the meantime, mark down the dates on your calendar. If you don't receive additional info, be sure to CALL the office and ask.
There will be a taller for promotores, for the volunteers in the two 1998 groups (16 of you). It will be held the second week in March, in Llano Grande de Ocú, Herrera (Jason C's site).
First, you need to pick 1 or 2 people from your site who have potential to become community ag. promoters- the ideal would be that they are using (some of) the techniques that we promote, are leaders, are motivated to teach others, etc. You may have to settle for less than the ideal. Women are especially ideal candidates, and we will have(simple) accommodations for them as well.
Then, you need to invite them- now.
You should accompany them to Llano Grande, to arrive the afternoon or evening of March 9. You will depart the next morning; the promotores will stay for sessions on the 10th and 11th, and depart for home the morning of the 12th. They will receive viaticos for transportation, as well as meals and a cot to sleep on in the school. They need to take a sheet and other items like a towel, soap, etc.
These workshops for promoters are an important part of our project, and the only assurance that our teachings will propagate and one day become the traditional practice. Call with your questions- and plan to show up for the taller with a couple of good folks.
The four of you in the second 1998 group will go from taking your promotor to the workshop, into an in-service training. It will last from the 10th to the 13th of March. Let me know what technical topics interest you. The location of the IST will be determined by what topics are requested.
Ms. Sarah Workman, International Coordinator of the USDA National Agroforestry Center, along with other folks, will be meeting with us to discuss agroforestry systems (what else?), with a focus on Caoba planting in strips cleared inmonte - to avoid the sort of complete clearing that you see in teak plantations. We (tentatively) will be meeting the afternoon of the 19th of February, with a field trip on the 20th. If you're interested, let me know, especially for a field trip destination.
I begged her to stay, but she won't. I just don't know what we'll do without her. Yes, Tanya Hayes is out of here, the 29th of January. There should be a going-away dinner for her around the 28th- but I better check with her to see if she's available. Tanya has done an
(Con't.)
excellent job as Vol. Coordinator, and her Nutrition charlas have added a whole new dimension to the AF project. She will be greatly missed.
Speaking of Vol. Coordinators- Frank W. has been appointed to be one, and will be taking over for Tanya in the far west. Chris R. will be leaving us in May, so those of you in the 1997 group who are interested in becoming one of the few- send in your request to be considered. Chris and Frank have been doing a great job, and deserve to be recognized for such.
A bit about things that have already passed- we had a Promotor workshop the first week of December in Carol's site- it went very well thanks to Carol, Tanya, Frank, and GRANDES. Mike McD. and Militza had Miguelito on the 22nd of December- Felicitations. A new training group of 6 AFers arrived on the 12 of January and will swear-in the 8 of April.
Did you think that it never would stop raining? Well, it finally did. The trees are blooming, and you know what that means. Yes, seed collecting time is here again. Pick out some of those genetically superior individuals of useful trees, and collect away. Get them when mature, but don't wait too long or they'll blow away or rot. Dry well in shade, store in bags, and distribute or bring them to the office. Dry season is tree nursery season, so start filling bags soon. And happy Peace Corps Day! -Mark
