Author Archives: Brooke Edwards

About Brooke Edwards

Brooke Edwards is from Little Rock, Arkansas, and started working at Heifer International in 2009 as a writer. She has a master's in social work and a bachelor's degree in psychology. She is married, a mother of one, and a wannabe urban farmer, raising her own chickens and killing most of her vegetable crops.

Food Tank: A Think Tank for Food

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Food TankHave you heard about Food Tank yet? Co-founded by Ellen Gustafson and Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank: The Food Think Tank offers “solutions and environmentally sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity and poverty by creating a network of connections and information for us to consume and share.”

They launched less than a month ago, and they’ve already put out a lot of interesting material. Like 10 Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill While Eating Healthier and Are Earth Markets the New Farmers’ Markets? My favorite so far is this video they shared by the American Society of Landscape Architects: The Edible City.

They’ve also got an active Facebook page, so be sure to check them out as well.

Know of any other new organizations we’d be interested in? Share them in the comments section below.

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Quit Giving the Same Valentine’s Day Fluff

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Want to think outside the heart-shaped box this Valentine’s Day? Looking for free Valentine’s Day printables? Look no further than Heifer International! Instead of shelling out  $30 for a box of cavity-inducing chocolates, why not give the gift of bees? Now that’s sweet! Don’t want to spend three hours crafting something for your kid’s preschool teachers? Give them a trio of rabbits.

Free Valentines Day Printables

Heifergraphic courtesy of Heifer International.

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Heifer Number 20 in Top 100 NGOs

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Top 100 NGOs Global JournalHeifer International is pleased to rank in the top tier—Number 20—in the second edition of the Global Journal’s Top 100 NGOs. The editors cited Heifer’s Passing on the Gift® as an important component to “ensure project sustainability, develop community and enhance self-esteem by allowing project partners to become donors.”

“We are proud to be included in the Global Journal’s list and proud of the work we do with our families everyday,” said Pierre Ferrari, president and CEO of Heifer International. “We are working with our smallholder farmers, many of them women, to move from dependence to a life of economic entrepreneurship connecting them to markets and building their social capital.”

Heifer Top 100 NGOs

Photo by Jake Lyell, courtesy of Heifer International.

The Global Journal reports that Heifer International has a “highly participatory model” that works with communities and has a “substantive impact on household incomes, assets and family nutrition.”

With approximately 450 NGOs reviewed, the Global Journal focused on three areas: impact, innovation and sustainability. This year, editors chose the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) as their number one choice.

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Win a Trip to Heifer Peru!

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Win a Trip of a Lifetime to Peru from Garnet Hill and Heifer International!

I’ve been there; trust me, you want to win this!

Trip for Two Includes Visit to Heifer’s Alpaca Projects Near Cuzco

Win a trip to Heifer Peru

Photo by Jake Lyell, courtesy of Heifer International

Life Changing Chance to Live and Learn for Seven Days in Ancient Peru

Garnet Hill and Heifer International are proud to announce the Pass on the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes, which will award one grand prize winner with an all-inclusive trip for two to the ancient Incan Empire capital of Cuzco. For seven days, they will work hand-in-hand with Heifer to foster sustainable development in the community while experiencing the country’s colorful culture through exclusive guided tours. To learn more or to enter the Pass on the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes, please visit garnethill.com. Visit the site every Wednesday through March 12 for a chance to win a $500 Garnet Hill gift card, and earn up to five extra entries toward the grand prize.

Win a trip to Heifer Peru

Photo by Cindy Jones-Nyland, courtesy of Heifer International.

“We have designed a trip that will be inspirational and transformative, not only for the vibrant and historic culture of Cuzco, but also for the opportunity to work alongside and break bread with a Heifer International family. The winner will participate first hand in one of Heifer International’s projects in Peru that, like all of the organization’s global initiatives, aims to significantly improve the livelihoods of families and communities,” said Marleen New, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Heifer International.

Win a trip to Heifer Peru

Photo by Jake Lyell, courtesy of Heifer International.

The trip includes an introduction to Heifer International’s alpaca projects in the Andean region near Cuzco. The winner will participate in and learn about all facets of alpaca care including feeding; tending to pasture; and the business associated with the sale of their exceptionally soft wool to make blankets, ponchos, hats and carpets, which ensures a sustainable way of life for struggling families.

For Heifer International, development is about creating a world free of hunger and poverty, where families in need thrive under their own energy and entrepreneurial spirit—on their own terms.

Win a trip to Heifer Peru

Photo by Cindy Jones-Nyland, courtesy of Heifer International.

Wendy Thayer, public relations manager for Garnet Hill, added, “This really is the trip of a lifetime. It’s a remarkable opportunity for the winner to play a role in helping to end hunger and poverty for a Heifer family. Garnet Hill is thrilled to offer such an authentic way for our customers to engage with our partner in Cuzco.”

Heifer International began activities in Peru in 1963 and continues to support urban and rural communities and small-farmer organizations to improve their quality of life. Peru’s diverse cultural patterns are based on solidarity and reciprocity. Thus, Heifer’s approach to sharing resources is a key element to achieve just and sustainable development. Today, Heifer Peru works in Piura, Lambayeque, Cerro de Pasco, Lima, Junin, Huancavelica, Cuzco, Apurimac and Puno, and has assisted more than 40,000 families. Heifer’s partnership with Garnet Hill began in 2009.

Win a trip to Heifer Peru

Photo by Jake Lyell, courtesy of Heifer International.

To learn more or to enter the Pass on the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes, please visit garnethill.com.

Who would you take? Tell us in the comments section!

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Heifer Board Gives 100%

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The Heifer International Board of Directors has achieved a 100 percent personal giving level for fiscal year 2013. We are excited for and proud of our board’s fundraising committee, and especially the committee chair, Francine Anthony, for this accomplishment!

Board giving

We must all work together. Photo by Geoff Oliver Bugbee, courtesy of Heifer International.

From Francine Anthony:

My dear committee members all know how fond I am of using quotes, so in keeping in character, I leave you with the following from the late, great Arthur Ashe – “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.”

Thank you each and every one of you for contributing to Heifer International’s ability to “make a life” for so many unfortunate others across the globe.

If you’re not a member of a nonprofit board or staff, it may be difficult to know why this is such a big deal. Here are some reasons, from BoardSource:

  • Board member giving is a public commitment to the organization’s work;
  • Board members might pay increased attention to the nonprofit’s mission and financial health when their own money is engaged;
  • Many other donors and institutional funders will not give to organizations that don’t have 100 percent board participation as current donors

Despite all of these great reasons, 100 percent board giving is in the minority. According to a survey by BoardSource (summary here), 68 percent of nonprofits surveyed have a policy requiring board members to donate to the organization; average board participation is 74 percent, and only 46 percent of nonprofit boards had 100 percent participation.

Our board reaching 100 percent personal giving is exciting, because they are publicly demonstrating how committed they are to Heifer International’s success.

Are you part of the nonprofit sector? How do you feel about the importance of board giving? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Give Heifer This Valentine’s Day

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If you’ve been to the grocery store, your local drug store or nearest big-box one-stop, you’ve undoubtedly noticed the Valentine’s Day goodies out in full force. We’re getting ready for the year’s sweetest holiday here at Heifer International, too.

Every day is a great day to give a Heifer gift, but I think a gift from Heifer for Valentine’s Day is sublime. It’s a genuine gift from the heart. Shop for the perfect Valentine’s Day Heifer gift here. And spread the Heifer love with our free downloadables here.

Free Valentines Day Downloads

 

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How is Poverty Measured?

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Having traveled to the field for my work with Heifer, I’ve seen true poverty firsthand. Heck, I can find poverty within my own neighborhood. So I know what it looks like. But just how is it measured?

Poverty in Uganda

Photo by Brooke Edwards, courtesy of Heifer International.

The World Bank, which measures a lot of data points in more than 200 countries and has a very thorough website specifically for sharing their data, has a video that explains how they measure poverty.

It’s important to measure things that you’d like to end. If we’re going to end poverty, we have to know where we’re starting from. But I feel like this video really leaves some major considerations out. It appears income and consumption are the primary measures of wellbeing. So, once a family earns enough income and consumes enough goods, they’re considered “above” the poverty line. But are they really out of poverty? Just how easily can they fall right back “below” the poverty line?

At Heifer, we work hard to ensure our participants – individuals, families and communities – truly move out of poverty so they aren’t likely to fall back into poverty. We do this by helping them build assets, grow savings and develop real security. These accomplishments allow them to be more resilient to things like natural disasters or an illness in the family.

Freedom from poverty in Malawi.

Freedom from poverty in Malawi. Photo by Jake Lyell, courtesy of Heifer International.

What do you think about how poverty is measured? What else seems to be missing? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Microloans Now Available for Young and Beginning Farmers – NSAC

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Microloans Now Available for Young and Beginning Farmers – NSAC.

Are you or is someone you know trying to get into farming but can’t get the loan you need? Here’s some exciting news, then!

Small farm microloans

Photo by Chris Carmichael, Courtesy of Heifer International.

From the original post:

Microloan Program Details

These new microloans will be funded through FSA’s existing Direct Operating Loan program, and will have a maximum loan amount of $35,000, which is much lower than the $300,000 loan cap for regular FSA farm operating loans. These smaller loans are intended to cover smaller purchases, such as seeds, animals, small equipment, or other investments that young and other beginning farmers require to finance their operations.

Farmers will be required to secure these smaller microloans with collateral in the form of farm property worth at least 100 percent of the loan amount. Similar to other FSA loans, a third party pledge of security or co-signer will be accepted to meet these security requirements when necessary.

The new microloan program will feature a simplified and streamlined application process, and will require less paperwork for farmers to fill out and appropriately reflects the smaller loan amount. The microloan application will be available online, which was a recommendation included in NSAC’s comments on the initial rule published last summer. Although FSA agrees that an online application process would be an efficient alternative to the present loan application process, microloan applications cannot at the current time be completed and submitted electronically so therefore must be filed in person at the local FSA office.

In order to be eligible for the new microloan program, a farmer must have sufficient prior experience working on a farm, but borrowers will be given additional flexibility in meeting FSA’s farm management experience requirement. This includes small business experience, participating in a self-directed apprenticeship, or having prior involvement with an agricultural organization, such as 4-H, FFA, farm incubator programs, and community-based farm training organizations. FSA intends to provide additional guidance on how migrant workers can meet the management requirement in order to take into account their prior farm experience.

FSA will not require an itemized cash flow budget for microloan applicants, a previous requirement that has made it difficult for diversified fruit and vegetable growers and community-supported agriculture farmers to participate in FSA lending programs. FSA’s new flexibility in matching production and income loan-making measurement tools to specific types of production and marketing is to be commended.

Read the full story here.

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Serve Today for MLK

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Are you serving today in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service?

MLK Day 2013

From The Corporation for National & Community Service’s website:

Why Serve on MLK Day of Service?

Dr. King believed in a nation of freedom and justice for all, and encouraged all citizens to live up to the purpose and potential of America by applying the principles of nonviolence to make this country a better place to live—creating the Beloved Community.

The MLK Day of Service is a way to transform Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and teachings into community action that helps solve social problems. That service may meet a tangible need, or it may meet a need of the spirit. On this day, Americans of every age and background celebrate Dr. King through service projects that strengthen communities, empower individuals, bridge barriers, and create solutions.

The MLK Day of Service takes place the third Monday in January each year. It’s the only federal holiday observed as a national day of service – a “day on, not a day off.” It’s a day for Americans to turn their day out of the office or classroom into a day to make an impact in their communities.

Heifer Cameroon

Heifer Cameroon participant serving others. Photo by Jake Lyell, courtesy of Heifer International.

Strengthening communities is a key part of Heifer’s work around the world. It is only within healthy, vibrant communities that hunger, poverty and environmental harm can truly be ended.

How easy is it for us to go about our everyday lives without taking our own communities into consideration? If for only one day each year you lift your head and take notice and action, I urge you to make it today.

Dr. King once said, “Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” Where will you serve today? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Haiti REACH Begins Training Goat Breeders

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This week, Heifer Haiti and local partner organization, Tèt kole, held a three-day training for a group of goat breeding center owners in Montrouis in western Haiti. This group of owners are part of the first cohort of Heifer’s REACH program.

Haiti REACH training participants

Photo courtesy of Heifer International.

A total of 22 participants, men and women, young and old, gathered from six of Haiti’s departments where REACH is implemented: Northeast, Northwest, Centre, Nippes, the West and the Grand’Anse. The owners met and networked with each other and learned more about Heifer International’s philosophy, history and methods.

Training topics included Heifer’s 12 Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development, the general context of livestock production in Haiti, importance of breeding centers, breeding center care and characteristics, animal production techniques, animal health and wellbeing, forage management, business management, marketing and others. Future plans include visiting successful commercial farms in the Dominican Republic.

Haiti REACH training participants.

Photo courtesy of Heifer International.

Participants were pleased with the trainings, as they will be better prepared to manage the important work of breeding center ownership. Although many have backgrounds in agriculture and livestock, the introduction to new operating techniques and skills will set them up for success.

This diverse group of producers and goat breeding center owners became aligned around a common target during the training: the success of REACH on an individual scale, and ultimately improving the fates of their communities.

When asked about the importance of Heifer’s REACH program, participants said they think it is timely, because they were missing the tools for success. They are confident this program will benefit their respective communities and the entire country.

Haiti REACH training participants.

Photo courtesy of Heifer International.

This introductory training session will not only help breeding center owners modernize their farming practices, it also serves as the launching pad for the REACH program. Training participants before had a common passion for agriculture and livestock; as a result of the training, they have become a group of budding entrepreneurs with the yearning for success within the program.

The signing of contracts between Heifer Haiti and this new group of entrepreneurial goat breeders marks a decisive step in the implementation of REACH. The participants would like to thank Heifer from the bottom of their hearts for this program, and Heifer wishes them well.

Read recent blog posts about Heifer’s REACH program here, and visit www.heifer.org/reachout to give directly to this groundbreaking program.

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