Families working with SHI Belize are reporting great success with the program. They are using the skills they have learned from the local field trainers to improve their way of life.

Farmer Cosme Cho and his family have been working with SHI's Belize program for the past three years. During that time, Mr. Cho, with his wife and seven children, has been able to diversify their land which now has cedars, mahogany, cacao, plantains, coffee, vanilla, bananas, coconuts, squash, palms, mangos, oranges, limes, cotton trees, medicinal herbs and cassava.

In his own words, "I began working with SHI because I needed to improve my farm, since my greatest passion is to make my parcel into a demonstrative farm where adults and school children can visit so that they learn that if you work with diversity and protect the ground you can obtain a great deal more from small areas. I have sown all of the plants that you see on my farm with Sustainable Harvest."

"I am very happy because my income is from the farm, since my wife works to make baskets from palm leaves and this raw material also comes from my own parcel of land. I also have another area that I am only using for the cultivation of corn, beans and rice."

"Also, Sustainable Harvest supports me with a pig, and I am feeding it with products from my own parcel. [When it is grown, I plan] to sell it and buy more to increase my income."

"I did not have the opportunity to go to school but all of my children are in school now, thanks to the fact that SHI has helped me to increase my income. I am sure that everything is going to improve in the next few years because I have new coffee and cocoa plantings. I am very proud because my oldest son finished high school and now is studying medicine in Cuba. I hope that all of my children prepare themselves for the future and also that they know how to manage the farm well because it is our principle source of income."

"I need Sustainable Harvest to help me with more seeds and bags for oranges, limes, grapefruits and plum trees. I also would like to have a chicken coop to improve our nutrition and also to commercialize."

"Many thanks for all of the help that you have given us and I hope that you continue to help us more."

Click here to read testimonies from more families working with SHI's programs.

SHI to be Featured in Documentary Film! Myriad Media, is donating their time and talents to make a film about SHI's work! With an SHI Board member covering travel costs, two crew members recently visited Honduras and spent two weeks shooting 30 hours of film. We can't wait to see the results this fall! The film will tell SHI's story as seen by a field trainer working with two families- one family that is just starting with SHI and one getting ready to graduate. We have high hopes for this project but need your help getting the word out. Donations are needed to help with distribution, marketing and entering film festivals.

Peace X Peace Interview with Florence Reed Peace X Peace, an organization connecting women for peace, has included an interview with SHI President, Florence Reed, in their collection of interviews with inspiring women and peacebuilders around the world. Florence explains how SHI's work is changing the lives of women in Central America. Click here to hear the interview.

Save the Date! SHI's Annual Harvest Celebration is right around the corner! Mark your calendar for September 28th and join SHI friends, supporters, volunteers and staff for a celebration of a decade of planting hope, restoring forests and nourishing communities. This year's event will take place at Mahalo's Restaurant in Kittery, Maine. The evening will include dinner, music, dancing and a sneak peak at Myriad Media's documentary about our programs. Watch your mailbox for your invitation and RSVP card or contact our office to reserve your seat. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

Join SHI in Panama! Looking for adventure this fall? We'd love for you and your family to see our work in person! Click here to learn more about this opportunity and other Smaller World Service Trips.

Job Opening with SHI

Major Gifts Coordinator

Sustainable Harvest International seeks a new full time staff member to coordinate its major gift fundraising efforts. The successful candidate will implement SHI's fundraising plan by working closely with the President, other members of the staff, Board members and volunteers on building relationships with and soliciting major gifts from individual and institutional supporters. This work will include written correspondence, in-person visits, phoning, grant writing and event management. Click here for more information.

SHI Needs Your Vote Today (it's easy)

The summer weeks are flying by and the votes are pouring in. SHI is being featured on Stonyfield Yogurt lids and your vote for SHI helps direct up to $40,000 to planting hope, restoring forests, and nourishing communities. SHI is in a close second with over 3,000 votes and we need just over 500 more votes to put us in first place, so every vote counts!

Visit stonyfield.com now to place your vote for SHI and get a free cup of yogurt!

You can also save the lids and send them in for some sweet prizes. Each lid is worth another vote so why not vote early and often. Just be sure when you send your lids in to add a note saying they are votes for SHI.

Thank you for your ongoing support. It's both needed and appreciated!

Donation from Johnny's Selected Seeds

Johnny's Selected Seeds has recently made a generous donation to SHI farmers. Approximately 500 pounds of seeds have been delivered to SHI and will be sent from Maine to our country programs. The seed varieties include carrot, tomatoes, cabbage,mustard greens and many others. Hat's off to Johnny's!

Sustainable Harvest International  •  779 North Bend Rd. Surry, ME 04684  •  207.669.8254 (phone)  •  866.683.6594 (toll free) •  207.669.8255 (fax)  •  shi@sustainableharvest.org  •  www.sustainableharvest.org

Smaller World: Reg. U.S. Pat. & T.M. Off