Agricultural Innovations has recently come to agreement with TERRA Resource Development International to implement a small water project in the community of Chaquiri, Bolivia. TERRA has decided to take advantage of our experience and expertise with ferrocement technology and potable water systems. To assist in water resource development, we will work in collaboration with the community to build a 10,000 liter ferrocement tank.

In addition to our work with ferrocement, and as part of TERRA's continued comittment to bringing long-term socio-economic sustainability to its development projects, we will also train local leaders in the maintenence and operation of the water system, and we will provide 15 months of follow-up training to ensure the smooth technical and social operation of the system.

If you are interested in ferrocement technology, then please visit our webiste in the near future, as we plan to include details of the construction, and a podcast in Spanish that will provide more information on how ferrocement can revolutionize construction projects in small, rural communities.

After a bit of an absence on our part, the podcast is back with more great content. Our next series of shows will be focusing on Fair Trade, with a special emphasis on coffee.

We'll address some of the pressing issues in the Fair Trade movement, as we speak with different people who are in some way involved with coffee and Fair Trade. For those of you who can't function without your morning cup of joe, you know that coffee is an issue that sparks passion and controversy in many people, and we hope this will be reflected in our coverage of Fair Trade.

So sit back with a steaming cup of Kona coffee as we interview Patrick Stewart of Greenwell Farms, supplier for the famous Hawaiian coffee company. Enjoy!

Kelly Franco with organic coffee

Piso Verde is the name of the farm that young farmer Alquilino “Kelly” Franco is currently developing. Heavily influenced by his education at CREAR as a young man, Kelly has decided to dedicate his life to encouraging organic agriculture and soil conservation in his community. Piso Verde is Kelly’s attempt to express his ideas in the form of a demonstration farm.

This photo illustrates the diverse nature of the farm. Kelly is standing on forage peanuts, a shade tolerant, tropical species. In addition to his work as a farmer, Kelly certifies organic farms. Piso Verde already has several hectares of organic coffee in production, the fruit of which Kelly holds in the photo. Indeed, the entire farm is certified organic, and Kelly reaps the economic and ecologic benefits of organic certification. In the background, several banana trees provide fruit and an additional source of income.

These trees are clones being tested for desirable characteristics

Established in 2000, the Experimental Station of Matalarga specializes in the improvement of cocoa production in the Dominican Republic. The research team at the station has identified two areas of high priority: production and quality. To confront these problems, Alejandro Núñez and his colleagues have developed a multi-tiered strategy that involves research, education, and community participation.

This clonal garden is an important part of that strategy. In it there are over 100 clones that are being evaluated for desirable characteristics. Several promising performers have emerged from this process, and the research team has already selected those trees with the highest seed production. Candidates for hybrid production have also been identified. When the best performers have been selected and distributed nationally, this will greatly enhance the productivity and quality of Dominican cocoa.