My Fulbright project looks at sustainable agricultural methods in Nicaragua and the educational and economic support structures necessary for their implementation in the region of León. There are two main parts – one part looks at the academic research that is the theoretical and scientific base for the development of culturally and ecologically sound agricultural practices. I am going to be talking to professors and students and hopefully doing an internship in a biological pest control laboratory at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua campus in León. The department of Agroecology, founded in 1998, focuses on an integrated approach to the social, ecological, and economic aspects of agriculture. In addition to laboratories for soil science and the breeding of biological control organisms, the University maintains two model farms of 86 and 155 acres including several greenhouses.
I am also participating in a technical and economic support system which enables the implementation of sustainable farming methods on individual farms. I will be interning with El Centro de Promoción del Desarrollo Local (CEPRODEL), a Nicaraguan-founded micro lending bank. Together with SosteNica, their American partner organization that I have been interning with, they operate a micro-credit program that targets small farmers who are interested in recieving advice from trained sustainable and organic agricultural specialists along with their credit. In this way, CEPRODEL plays a unique roll in rural development in Nicaragua, by combatting poverty through the micro-credit program, and working toward a more environmentally sustainable future through the technical assistants.
Although agricultural methods differ from one climate to another, I believe sustainable farming has global relevance as an organizing tool. International attention is increasingly focused on practices which preserve the future of our environment and populations. The sustainable farming movement in the U.S. receives considerable support, and contributes to movements abroad through resource and information sharing. Globalized trade has made international support for the development of sustainable practices crucial for the developing world. As Nicaragua’s largest trading partner (U.S. Department of State, 2006) the U.S. shares the responsibility of supporting a sustainable agricultural sector in Nicaragua, and while the government and trade regulations have done very little in this regard, and actually have had the reverse effect, this project offers the option for individuals to make the choice.
Personally, I find the intersection of social justice, environmental stewardship through sustainable agriculture, and improved nutrition that come together in this particular microfinance project and university department very exciting. I’m also absolutely thrilled to have a reason to immerse myself in Spanish and improve my language skills. I’m hoping that this project will lead to some revelations on my part about how I can continue working toward all of these goals in the states.
March 15, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Hi Rachel,
I was forwarded the link to your blog about two weeks ago by Roland Rothenbucher, who got it from your dad. Roland probably thought that as a former farmer and biodynamic agriculture activist I would be interested in your activities and maybe carry this interest somewhere within our school. And he was right. What struck me most, was your blog about the tree planting. The idea that popped into my head was that we might try a “help plant 800 trees in Nicaragua” campaign in our high school. Or we might even make it more effective if we stretch the money with the help of your micro lending activities. These are just spontaneous ideas. Please let me know your thoughts about them. I am willing to put some effort into it within our school.
Thanks for the blog.
Be safe, be good, and enjoy it.
Atta
March 16, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Hi Atta,
That’s a wonderful idea! I think the best way to go about it would be to raise money to donate to SosteNica, and ask them to put the entire amount toward the Nagarote Reforestation Project. That way we are working with the micro loans project, and SosteNica is a 501C3, which simplifies any legalities with the school about donating money. I’ll talk it over with Alan Wright and get back to you personally. He is also going to be visiting Long Island in April with several representatives from CEPRODEL, and it could be a wonderful opportunity to connect personally with the people who are carrying out the project. If there is enough interest at Waldorf, it may merit a visit from them. My father would be the person to coordinate that with.
Thanks for your enthusiasm and comments; the connection I keep here with people back at home is wonderful. All my love to the GCWS community!