Tag Archives: Farming

From the Field: Project Goals Produce Smiles

Posted on by
0

This weekly post shines a light on a handful of stories from Heifer.org’s “From the Field”From the Field section.

The mission to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth may seem an overwhelming goal, but Heifer Armenia participant Artur Hovsepyan actively became part of the global vision when his family received a cow named Nargiz through Passing on the Gift®. Artur’s family had lived in very poor conditions, which led him into a deep depression for three years. But thanks to Nargiz and her new calf, Artur regained hope for the future and is once again an active member of his village.

Vietnam Animal Distribution Ceremony

Heifer Vietnam participants receive a heifer at the project’s second animal distribution ceremony on February 21. Photo by Nguyen Thai Loc

In Vietnam, participants of Soc Thao commune of Phu Tam village received heifers at the project’s second animal distribution ceremony. Eager recipients’ laughter filled the busy village as 125 people congratulated each other. One self-help group member said Heifer’s unique tools will allow families to pull themselves out of poverty and give their children a brighter future.

A Farmer Field School in the Northern Philippines recently received a grant for a permanent composting site. Before the project began, most villagers accepted poverty as a way of life. After practicing Heifer’s 12 Cornerstones for Just and Sustainable Development, they are happy to successfully reach a goal. The site will provide new knowledge in organic farming to improve family’s gardens and help the group become organic vegetable producers.

Make Rabbit Treats at Home

Posted on by
0

Every week we feature a fun and/or educational activity you can try at home or in the classroom. We have begun mailing our Gift Catalog for this year’s holiday season and will be featuring activities that highlight the items available.

For many people around the world, rabbits are a vital source of nutrition. Loved for being fluffy and social, rabbits are a popular pet in the United States. Do you have a pet rabbit?This holiday season, make rabbit treats for your pet.

Make rabbit treats

Photo courtesy of Heifer International

Materials:

  • One cup of rolled oats
  • One fourth of a cup of rabbit food (the pellets)
  • Two bunches of parsley
  • Half a carrot
  • Half a banana
  • Tablespoon to one fourth of a cup of water
  • Oven

Grind the oats and rabbit pellets into a powder. A coffee grinder works great for this. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Next puree carrot, banana, parsley and add water. The mixture should be liquified, but not too watery. Place the powder into a large bowl and pour the liquified mixture into the bowl, stirring the ingredients together. This will form a stiff dough. Roll out the dough to one fourth of an inch thick. Cut it into small shapes. Place the treat on either a baking stone or a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Rabbit Treats

Photo courtesy of Heifer International

Bake the treats for about half an hour, but don’t let them burn. Let the treats stay on the warm baking sheet for an hour. Do not give your bunny more than one treat per day.

For more details about making rabbit treats, read this article.

See how rabbits are changing lives in Georgia.

Find out how you can help a family with the gift of rabbits.

Heifer Ranch Trains New Farmers

Posted on by
0

Some residents of the Arkansas Delta – potential participantsin Heifer’s new Seeds of Change project – got their first look at functioning organic agriculture last weekend at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Ark.

Trainer Chuck Crimmins shows off new seedlings

Because there are few examples of chemical-free agriculture in the Delta, where cash crops dominate, the four visitors had a lot to learn. Some have already grown crops on the fertile Delta land and others are first-time producers. They were intrigued by niche animal agriculture, including goats, chickens, and bees.

Farmer Everette Woods
Everette Woods of Colt, Ark. currently farms 240 acres of wheat, soy, and sorghum. “When I was young, I swore I’d never go into farming,” he chuckled. But eventually the family business called him back.

Now, as Woods feels himself being squeezed out of the industry by larger players, he’s looking to try a different style of farming. Heifer is a natural partner. Seeing the breadth of knowledge needed to keep an organic farm in balance without chemicals he marveled, “This is hard work!”

The Ranch has been in Heifer’s hands since 1971, originally used to raise livestock that was shipped overseas. Since Heifer began locally sourcing its animals within other countries, the Ranch has been used mainly to educate the public and Heifer supporters. The training day represents a chance for the Ranch to participate directly in Heifer’s mission, as a training facility and resource for project participants.

In one day, trainers Chuck Crimmins and Paul Casey could only skim their detailed knowledge of sustainable agriculture. Every question that the participants asked only cracked another volume of unique challenges and clever solutions. Rotating crops for healthy soil? Chuck could spend days on it. Sheep parasites? Paul could write a book.

Trainer Chuck Crimmins and Chris Johnson of Hughes, Ark. talk chickens.
The participants got more out of their trip than technical instruction, though. Their eyes were opened to opportunity. They learned about the sizzling market for locally-produced food and saw the potential for earning money with Earth-friendly farming. “I feel like a kid again, going on a field trip,” said Antoine Burks, from Hughes, Ark. “Except this was a field trip of dreams.”

In Context: A Passion for Farming

Posted on by
0
Editor’s note: In Context is a new series designed to inform and educate you on Heifer’s work in each country we have a presence. Every two weeks we’ll tackle a different country and examine unique situations related to hunger and poverty, how Heifer works to address them as well as take some time to explore local culture and traditions.


Photo by Heifer Canada
Kalynn Spain and her horse

Kalynn Spain’s passion and enthusiasm for farming isirresistible. In 2009, her uncle helpedto set her farm plans in motion when he offered her space to farm on his landin Manitoba. But for Kalynn, her dreambegan much earlier. “As a kid, I alwayswanted to live in the country. All of mypaintings and drawings were pictures of horses, pigs, and farmyards. That’s where it all started,” Kalynn laughs.

In 2011, Kalynn registered for the Exploring Your Small FarmDream course, offered by the Manitoba Farm Mentorship Program. The course helps aspiring farmers decide ifrunning a farm business is right for them. When asked how it has helped her, Kalynn says, “One thing that reallystuck out for me was quality of life. You need to take care of yourself so you can take care of your land,your animals, and your family.” Thecourse confirmed for Kalynn that farming is her future and inspired her tobegin acquiring start-up resources and gathering people around her to help herfulfill her dream.
After completing the Exploring Your Small Farm Dream course,Kalynn was provided with an internship opportunity through the Manitoba FarmMentorship Program. This initiativeconnects aspiring farmers with experienced mentors and contributes to costsassociated with farmer training. Inreturn for the training she received through the Manitoba Farm MentorshipProgram, Kalynn passed on the gift by interning for 13 weeks on two mentorfarms. The internship helped hone herskills and further develop her farm plans. “I see my farm being very mixed,” Kalynn says about her farm dream, “Isee vegetables. I see chickens and pigsfor sure… After spending a summer on acattle farm, I’m not sure about having cattle, but it’s good that theexperience showed me that early on.”
The Manitoba Farm Mentorship Program is a Heifer Canadaproject that provides training, networking, and resources for new and aspiringfarmers in Manitoba. Kalynn is one of 16interns, 30 Explorer course participants, and over 750 people who have attendedManitoba Farm Mentorship Program courses, workshops, farm tours and othertraining events.
Kalynn’s involvement in the Manitoba Farm Mentorship Programhas only increased her passion for growing and raising food. “It’s changed from a romantic dream tofeeling that it’s something young people should be doing. It will make me happy. I will be contributing to society andimpacting people’s lives.”
“I want to be a role model,” Kalynn says. “I think we need to engage more youngpeople. My generation needs to considerfarming as a career, consider its impact, and realize they can actually doit.”