The Olivas of Las Brenas, Nicaragua are one of more than 900 participant families working with Sustainable Harvest International's local field staff to raise their standard of living while restoring the environment. Gregorio Olivas tells us about his experience with SHI:
"To begin with, I should talk a little bit about our community, since it's one of the most poor and dry in the zone. The majority of the families have to go far away to rent lands that are more optimal so they can produce enough for their own sustenance, with very little for sale. The families live working like day laborers on other farms, or making charcoal to sell in Bluefields, because there aren't any other ways to get income.
Before working with Sustainable Harvest, I didn't think about the importance of the trees, the rivers, and everything that we have all around us, but now that they have convinced me and I am conscious of how important natural resources are. I have begun to take action to preserve the forest, protecting the stream beds. We're doing everything very carefully. We are reforesting, because we are already suffering the consequences with our little rivers that are drying up because of a lack of protection and a lack of action from us. I personally am doing work on my farm to keep it in better condition and have enough food for my family and to be an example in our community, so that the other neighbors can also take part in the benefits of working the land with more appropriate technologies.
I have learned to dry out my seeds well and to save them for the next planting, but there are some times that the seeds haven't been the best quality and I have had to go to ask for help from Sustainable Harvest, who have lent us a hand throughout these years.
Also, the technical assistants from Sustainable Harvest have provided us with fertilizer beans [nitrogen fixing legumes] to help to protect the soil and at the same time to give it organic nourishment, because I should admit that I too have used herbicides and pesticides on my soil, and now I know that it's not the best way to cultivate. I'm trying to eliminate the habit of using those toxins that are only good for wasting money and long term damages to our soil.
The main crops on my plot are beans and corn for our own consumption and for sale, but I also plant cassava and other vegetables to go on improving my family's nutrition.
Even though I know that this land isn't optimal for production, we're working with the extensionists from SHI to improve it with organic fertilizer, because the idea is to move forward and not have to go rent other people's land. Personally I would like to work in a group so that when we get better production we can sell it at a better price at the market in Bluefields and not fall prey to the middlemen, who pay very little.
Sustainable Harvest is working to raise the standard of living of our families and we are very grateful to those who support this program, because it's like a blessing from God."
Special thanks to Susan Posey for her translation.
South Portland - Cape Elizabeth Rotary Visits SHI HondurasSPCE Rotary President, John Eliassen, said in a recent interview about his experience with SHI in Honduras, "If efforts are not made to teach poor farmers how to run sustainable operations, they will be forced to leave the area because there will be nothing left to live on. The [Honduran] farmers' plight is not much different than that of small farmers in the U.S." Click here to read the full interview. |
Green Dimes Partners with SHI to Plant TreesJoin GreenDimes, support SHI and reduce your junk mail by 75-90%. Click here to learn more: http://www.greendimes.com/shi |
Did you know...It can be more valuable to donate shares of stock to SHI than it is to donate the proceeds from the sale of stocks? When you transfer shares to a 501(c) non-profit organization, you can deduct the full market value of the shares and the IRS forgives your capital gains tax on the difference between your cost and current value. Donating stock is simple and can give you the most bang for your buck! Please contact our office for more information. Thank you for your support! |
Join SHI in Panama!All of SHI's Smaller World Service trips for this summer are currently full, but we are still accepting applications for the November trip to Panama. We'd love for you to see our work in person! Click here to learn more about this opportunity and other Smaller World Service Trips. |
Florence Reed Receives Women of the Earth Award
Click on the photo to see the video!
Earlier this year, SHI's Founder and President, Florence Reed, was honored by the Yves Rocher Foundation. Florence was nominated for their Women of the Earth Award for her commitment to environmental and social sustainability. QuantumShift TV caught up with Florence at the awards ceremony and two interviews with her are now featured on their site. Click on the image above to hear Florence talk about her work with SHI and the organization's environmental impact. You can also see the interviews here: www.quantumshift.tv
Bid with your lid!
Yogurt lid that is. Be on the lookout for your opportunity to support SHI by sending in specially-marked Stonyfield Farm Yogurt Lids or by visiting their website this summer.
SHI has been selected as one of three organizations to take part in Stonyfield's Bid With Your Lid Program. Each organization will receive a $20,000 donation from Stonyfield plus a percentage of $40,000 based on public voting! Cast your votes for SHI, and get rewarded too... voting prizes include yummy Terra Nostra Chocolate, Stash Teas and organic totes. Program starts July 1st.
What a tasty way to make a difference!
SHI Expands Work in Nicaragua
Thanks to the Vitol Foundation's new partnership with SHI, Sustainable Harvest Nicaragua is scheduled to start work in Kukra Hill this July. This area is located on the Kama River on the Atlantic Coast, the most impoverished region of the country. Sixty families in six communities have asked for our assistance. Project goals for the coming fiscal year include:
-Increase the reach of the Nicaraguan program by 30%.
-Plant 12,000 trees for fruit, fuel, timber, spices, crop shade and watershed protection.
-Convert 65 acres of degraded land to sustainable land-use practices, thereby saving more than 325 acres of tropical forest from slash-and-burn destruction.
-Establish and maintain 80 organic vegetable gardens.
-Remove toxic pesticides from the homes and fields of program participants.
-Remove harmful smoke from dozens of homes with wood-conserving stoves.
-Improve the economic outlook for local participants.
-Improve access to education for the children.
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