CROP Walkers Unite!

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 10:40:14 -0400

CROP stands for Communities Responding to Overcome Poverty. CROP walkers raise money for those in need around the world and in our own backyard. In fact 25% of all money raised by CROP participants stays in our local communities to help with needs there.

I'm extremely happy to announce that we had about 55 people walking with us from all over the Dominican Republic, including a group of about 30 who began driving at 6 am from the capital to be at our farm by 9.30! We had a good international presence as well, with yours truly, Eli Berman (the other volunteer at the farm), Rodrigo Dominguez (a fellow UWC student and Middlebury '09 graduate from Mexico who is working with the Mariposa Foundation in the north of the country), French-Canadians, Dominican-Americans and Haitians. Even though the event began on Dominican time (about an hour late!), everyone was still energized after their walk through the community and the nearby coffee farms, and brought a lot of energy to the 'afterparty'. We had music courtesy of our Haitian farm workers and some artist friends from Jarabacoa, the nearest town. Lots of connections were made among the participants, and I overheard quite a few collaborating to work together on projects on the future because people realised they were from the same city and were working for similar causes. Thankfully, we didn't run out of food--a big no-no in the Dominican Republic! I've attached some pictures and am waiting for more pictures and videos from the participants.

To save the best for last--we raised a little over 10,000 pesos yesterday thanks to the generosity of each and every individual who attended our event and helped make it a success! A portion of the money will be given to me to implement community projects, and the rest will go to Church World Service to continue their wonderful work all over the world. More importantly, the concept of a 'walkathon' now exists and is understood by many of the groups that came yesterday, and hopefully these groups will help collaborate next year to make the next event even bigger and better. I wanted to share the details of this event with you all because I repeated the words Middlebury College, Middlebury, Vermont to demonstrate how this walk came about, and where we came from as volunteers, so many times yesterday that people here will probably never forget it!

Abrazos,
Ria

To read about Julia Alvarez’ participation in a CROP walk in Middlebury, Vermont on the same day as the one in the Dominican Republic, click here.

Travel Note from Julia

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:30:39 -0400

Yesterday, I went with Ria to talk to 235 students at the Doulas School started by two Americans in the area. They are doing amazing work educating local children both well off ones and ones who are there on full tuition.
We also just returned from Haiti (Eli, Bill, and I, a Haitian friend and a Dominican friend) where we went to the wedding of one of our former farm workers, Piti. Quite the adventure.

Ria joins the farm community

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:54:07 -0400

I graduated from Middlebury College, VT with a degree in Spanish and a minor in Political Science. My nterest in languages, international affairs and community development was sparked during my two years at the Mahindra United World College in India where she had the chance to make friends with people from over 70 countries.

At Middlebury, I focused on Spanish literature and language, concentrating on the position and role of women in Latin American society and wrote a thesis on the same. My background in international education and community service encouraged me to explore new avenues, including youth mentoring and literacy efforts. I was able to witness firsthand the impact of cross-cultural interaction through education when I began an international story-telling project at the local library in Middlebury. The delight in the eyes of the children as well as the interest on the part of the parents inspired me to enhance my efforts at international cooperation through education.

The opportunity to work at the library in Los Marranitos and at the Finca Alta Gracia could not have come at a better time. Looking towards the future, I am hoping to study international development through education and community service. However, I think I've already begun classes by just being here in this wonderful country!

Ria

Follow Ria’s journey on her blog at: http://riashroff.wordpress.com/

Lee's thoughts from the farm

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:10:52 -0400

In the beginning, behind every cup of coffee, lies a farm and a farmer. Some small, some large, some rich, some poor; some diverse, others not so much.

For me, as a long time coffee drinker and conservationist, this is the summer of a lifetime. Hours of driving down country roads, visiting with farmers and tromping through lush coffee farms high in the mountains of the Central Cordillera. One thing was clear early on, Dominicans are truly some of the world's most hospitable people; almost every interview was welcomed with orders to sit, relax and, "have some coffee."

This summer, as my master's research at the University of Vermont, I’ve had the pleasure of traveling to the Dominican Republic to examine social and ecological characteristics of coffee farms and their families in the Pico Duarte coffee region surrounding Finca Alta Gracia. With the support of Vermont Coffee Company, Finca Alta Gracia, and the University of Vermont our goal is to analyze the livelihoods of coffee farmer households through a series of interviews, community focus groups and on farm assessments. Our results, we hope, will offer a picture of the "well-being" of Dominican farmers where Vermont Coffee Company purchases coffee; providing the opportunity for researcher and company alike to better partner with local communities to develop shared goals and to measure the impact of its social programs and business practices developed through its supply chain.

After presenting the research to the community in a focus group in mid-June, we were able to interview 43 homes in 7 different communities across the region, returning to 17 farms for an assessment of their tree and fruit species diversity.

After two long months, my preliminary results seem to support that of work done previously by in-country experts. Coffee is built on a foundation of poverty, the DR is no exception, 73% of homes in coffee growing regions live in a constant state of poverty, many farmers lack access to basic infrastructure necessary for maintaining and improving coffee quality, and almost all are in need for extended credit during the months after the harvest (May-August) for much needed farm maintenance and meeting their families basic food necessities.

As overwhelming and challenging as it seems, Dominicans have been producing incredibly rich coffees for more than three generations. In recognition of this truth much help is on the way for farmers and their families through outside assistance. Returning to the States I am hopeful that as I calculate and publish my results over the next year I will be able to use them to inform decision makers at multiple levels with the direct word of the farmers. Furthermore, with Vermont Coffee Company's participation we will be able to support more farmers by expanding our purchases of fair trade organic coffee, holding targeted technical trainings, and continued engagement at the community level through participatory research.

This experience offered me some important reminders I believe important for all of us. First, a reminder that our choices as consumers do have an impact, both socially and ecologically, for millions of families living across the world. Second, that our choices as consumers CAN be more than just that of complacent purchasing, but a "relationship" facilitated by responsible businesses. And finally, to remember the farmers who work long hours to bring us such simple pleasures in life. Believe me, despite all the hard work they’re happy and proud to produce it...

Lee Gross

For information contact lhgross@uvm.edu or visit http://conservationforhumanity.blogspot.com/

Final Note from Dylan

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:21:02 -0400

Thanks to Megan for her nice recap of the summer. It has been a pleasure working with her this summer. Sorry to all of the blog readers that I have not kept a more detailed blog over my time here. It is challenging with limited access to a computer and internet.

I almost can’t believe that my year here is coming to an end. I have learned so much about life here in the Dominican campo, coffee production, and the challenges of development. I have really found my place here in the community and have made strong friendships and connections. It will be really hard to leave this place that I have come to care about so much. In the end of August I leave for Germany to do a Fulbright teaching fellowship. It will be a big change from my life here in the campo. I know that I will never forget the amazing experience that I have had here over the last year. I plan to stay connected with the farm and the community of Los Marranitos in the future.

Dylan

Megan says ‘goodbye’ to Finca Alta Gracia

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:13:56 -0400

¡Saludos! My name is Megan and I am entering my eighth and final week as the volunteer teacher at Finca Alta Gracia. After I led a group of Middlebury students on a Middlebury Alternative Trip (MAlt) in February, working with the kids of Los Marranitos on a digital story telling workshop, I knew I wanted to return in the summer in between the two year-long volunteers. The time has flown by! In addition to the literacy focus maintained in the library, I have tried to vary activities this summer – often leaving the walls of the biblioteca to do things such as play games outside, do special art projects, or practice math by buying snacks at the local colmado.

Additionally, Dylan and I collaborated on numerous special events during the months of June and July. One of these was a two-part activity for young moms in the community with a presentation on how to make bizcocho de guineo maduro (banana bread) followed by a discussion on the importance of reading to children in the home. Towards the end of the morning we broke into small groups and practiced reading aloud children’s books while enjoying the freshly baked bread. We also set up a volleyball net where we often took the kids to play in the late afternoon (which often led to intense games with young adults in the community). Speaking of sports, we just recently organized a baseball game against the neighboring community El Dulce. The summer has also consisted of numerous trips to the river, fun and free outdoor concerts in nearby Manabao, and pizzas and breads cooked in the new clay oven that was recently constructed by Dylan and a few young boys in the community.

This summer we have also been joined by Lee Gross, a graduate student from the University of Vermont. Lee is conducting a socioeconomic with members of the local coffee cooperative of Jarabacoa, ASCAJA. Lee has been travelling to surrounding communities interviewing small coffee farmers about their coffee operation, other livlihoods and their families. Dylan has had the opportunity to accompany and assist Lee in his research over the summer.

Both Dylan and my final week will be a busy one – welcoming the new volunteers, finishing up library activities, and planting a conuco (what in English)…not to mention packing up our belongings and saying goodbye. I hope this won’t be my last time in los Marranitos. I have really enjoyed my time here.

Megan

Bicknell’s Thrush returns to our Green Mountains

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:15:10 -0400

On a recent Saturday morning I joined a group of bird-loving folks called the Mad Birders. We met at the base of Mt. Ellen in Fayston, Vermont and hiked up, with the hopes of spotting the elusive songbird, the Bicknell’s Thrush. Towards the top of our climb, after hearing its song, we spotted one poised on a branch in clear view for all of us to appreciate!
This bird is special to us at Vermont Coffee Company because it migrates in our Green Mountains and also in the Dominican Republic.

Lily Hinrichsen

Bake Sale for Chickens

Thu, 28 May 2009 20:42:03 -0400

From Isabel, Anna, and Cassie of Northbranch School in Ripton, Vermont:

“We had some different options of where we wanted to have a fundraiser for. It was a long list. In the end, we decided on Alta Gracia. I knew very little about Alta Gracia, but it seemed to be a really great place, and it supports people who need help. It helps great things like schools, and it helps people have a different and better way to live.”

Events from the Alta Gracia Biblioteca

Mon, 18 May 2009 20:03:46 -0400

A lot has been going on in the last few months, so much that I have hardly had time to report back to this blog. However, the following is a summary of events in which the children of the Alta Gracia Library have been involved:

• In February, there was a special puppet-making workshop in the library. The students’ sock puppets were so amply decorated that they all turned out looking Carnaval-esque, appropriate for the season. But making the puppets was only half the fun; in the days following, the children brought their puppets to life, and a slew of new voices could be heard in the library.

• In March, five 13- and 14-year-olds got together to prepare a short ‘teatro’ (play) to perform for visiting groups and fellow community members. The play, found in one of the library books, was called ‘The Guayaba Tree’, a fable-like tale about a clever rabbit who plays a trick on a tiger in order to have his share of guayabas from the tiger’s tree. With just one week to prepare, the students made masks to represent their characters, memorized their lines, and rehearsed. The play was a great success, and got the kids excited about doing more theater projects in the future.

• On April 18th, a girls’ group run by two DREAM volunteers in Cabarete came to visit the farm, having arranged a get-together with the local girls. The girls from Cabarete, all between the ages of 13 and 16, spent a night in the visitors’ center accompanied by four girls from Los Marranitos, with whom they graciously shared their single beds. The activities of the night included jewelry-making, dancing, and a bonfire. The following day, the local girls showed their visitors around the farm and their community. The girls from Cabarete gained an appreciation of how much uphill walking country girls do, while the girls from Los Marranitos were floored by the Cabarete girls’ skills in dancing reggaetón. The visiting group was reluctant to leave, but the local girls promised they would soon visit their new friends in Cabarete.

• With plans for a field trip to Cabarete in the works, I needed a fundraising plan. Fortunately, the Middlebury MAlt group that came in February had donated a big sack of used clothing for the community. This donation, coupled with clothing donations from other sources, was enough to hold a small ‘pulga’, or flea market—a plan that came to fruition on April 25th. The ‘pulga’ was an ideal fundraiser because not only did community members have an opportunity to buy very cheap clothing, but all the money they contributed would be returned to the community in the form of a field trip for the kids to Cabarete. It also gave a few younger community members the opportunity to participate in helping to run the flea market event. The earnings were enough to cover nearly half the cost of the upcoming field trip, while DREAM generously contributed the rest.

• The field trip to Cabarete was scheduled for May 1st, and all children from the community between the ages of 12 and 15 were invited. Fifteen kids hopped on the bus in the wee hours of that chilly Friday morning, and of those, about a third were on their way to see the ocean for the first time. Cheers filled the bus when after four hours of travel, a sparkling patch of clear blue water finally came into sight. Upon arrival in Cabarete, the students visited the DREAM Center, where they explored a library more than twice the size of the one at the Finca Alta Gracia. A fellow DREAM volunteer, Laura, led the kids through an interactive class in which they used library books as tools to learn fun facts about the ocean. Following lunch came the most anticipated part of the trip: the beach. There, the kids enjoyed a game of beach volleyball and a walk along the shore observing Cabarete’s windsurfers and kitesurfers. And of course, by the end of the day, a good number of the kids had their long pants soaked through from jumping waves. My only regret was that we couldn’t take everyone in Los Marranitos! Requests are already coming in for a separate trip for kids younger than twelve, as well as one for adults who surpassed the 15-year-old cut-off. It seems as if the lucky ones who went had an experience to remember!

Naomi

Juggling Lemons!

Sun, 17 May 2009 20:03:11 -0400

The community is getting ready to say goodbye to Alta Gracia's 2008-2009 volunteers, Dylan Wajda-Levie and Naomi Harper. Naomi is leaving now at the beginning of June and Dylan will be leaving at the end of July. Naomi will be returning to the States to work as a counselor in a camp run by AmeriCorps and Dylan has earned a Fulbright to study in Germany. They have been wonderful volunteers, versatile, devoted, comunitarios, and immensely resourceful. Among other talents they brought to the farm community was their juggling skills with lemons for lack of balls!

Coming to Alta Gracia this summer is Megan Mishler, a Middlebury College junior, who visited the farm in February with an alternative break trip collecting stories in the community. She is returning for two months this summer to run a camp for the local kids.

And our 2009-2010 volunteers, Ria Shroff and Eli Bernan will be coming to Alta Gracia in late July. We are immensely grateful to them for contributing their talents, time, and passion to the farm as we try to move forward slowly by slowly with the Alta Gracia dream. They will be introducing themselves soon!

Julia