Zanmi Lasante/Zanmi Agrikol Partners in Agriculture 2008 Charles Warne D-7750 International Chair Rotary Club of Greenville

2008 was a busy year, with Zanmi Agrikol assuming the responsibility of becoming the Agricultural arm of Zanmi Lasante in all ways, and the Farm at Corporant starting to become The Learning Center for so many different, yet associated projects. We have become a fully-fledged production center for RUTF (Ready to Use Therapeutic Food) Nourimanba and Nourimil, despite the very cramped quarters in Cange. Both products are being distributed to all 9 Malnutrition Clinics of Zanmi Lasante, now stretching from coast to coast, and including St.Marc and Petite Riviere.

We have made over 36,000 kgs of Nourimanba, 240,000 lbs of Nourimil and treated over 4,500 children. 240 families are now part of the FAP (Family Assistance Program) and have been given instruction, tools, seeds, mango, avocado citrus and environmental trees, and a goat. Many have returned the seeds. So far, of the first 40 goats distributed, we have received 40 kids --- these also being distributed to other families.

24 Agens Agrikol have been trained and furnished with equipment to enable them to help the families now partaking in the FAP. Each agent is responsible for 10 families instructing them in newer farming methods, soil conservation and re-forestation and environmental awareness. Twice monthly visits to families have resulted in significant improvements, and 67% have been able to increase their cultivated land and therefore food production for their families. They are now being taught how to correctly care for goats and other livestock. 13 families who have no land are farming land leased by ZL/ZA 80 small family vegetable gardens have been started

Lending Tool and Seed Banks for farmers who are not in the FAP 125 farmers and 7 groups borrowed tools, 995 farmers planted beans Financial assistance has been given for schooling Mothers clubs have been started to instruct the women in the basic blocks of correct nutrition and how to best provide for their families, and teaching/learning continues for families and Agents, in Agricultural Practices.

Meanwhile Down on the Farm

ZL/ZA hosted once again the National Day of the Environment at Corporant with 3,000 in attendance. The current Minister for Agriculture was the keynote speaker. New land for TLC (The Learning Center) was acquired and a road was traced to arrive at the new site. All new land, which is not yet being built on, has now been cleared and planted. 50 new neighboring families were invited and agreed to participate in the production of peanuts for Nourimanba. ZA giving assistance to prepare the land, supplying seeds, supervision and information and eventually purchasing the peanuts once harvested.

A new and fantastic peanut sheller has been purchased. 5 new silos were purchased for the storage of grains. We agreed to help 60 students from Mirabalais have their first experience of actual farming and hands on learning. Saturday mornings were filled with sounds and sights of youth, who prepared land, sowing crops and following thru till harvest. We have constructed 4 new ‘Pepinieres’ (nurseries) in Corporant and Boucan Carre. Thousands of tree seedlings have been distributed and transplanted.

The new Micro Project of making Charcoal continues and we have made thousands of Bricquettes to distribute and help the population understand the importance of saving trees. We are now able to offer them an alternative for their cooking fuel. Our latest experiment with making charcoal from peanut shells has been an overwhelming success and means we will be able to use the vast quantities of shells now available on the farm. Our first well was dug and water found at 65ft. We have broken ground and the footings are being prepared for the new depot at Corporant, which is the first step towards the construction of our new Production Center.

2009 looks like being an even more exciting year, but we couldn’t do it without the help of many many people, whom we hope will continue to support these incredible projects. We have two additional projects requiring funding this year. 1. A mill to grind grains produced on the farm in Corporant, Haiti. Need $4,000 towards a matching grant. 2. Construction materials for a reservoir to be constructed in mountain above village of Doman to hold water being gravity fed from a spring to the village of 7,000 residents. Need $5,000 towards a matching grant. For information about these projects, please contact Charles Warne -