Sustainability
- Future Farmers of ...
The
Future Farmerss of Kenya (FFK) will be a mirror of what
we have seen in the United States and Canada - An
organization comprised of students at a young age and guiding
them into early adulthood and as seasoned farmers.
Training
leaders
is the focus with emphasis on coupling education in all
the latest farming techniques with active hands
on activities to gain field experience. Equipping bright
young
students with the tools they need, knowledge and inspiring
them will be the driving force for change.
During
our initial visit to Kenya in 2009, the YFT team met with
the local high school teachers to discuss the possibility
of bringing this type of training to their students. Not
only was it agreed to do so, but the school donated 1 acre
of land for the FFK garden site. Over 40 students immediately
joined the initiative and dedicated their time and labor
to getting the garden started.
Before
the truckload of fertilizer could be delivered, major road
repair needed to be done in order for the truck
to make it to the high school garden site. The new FFK
members rolled up their sleeves and using the limited tools
they had, completed the required road repair.
Since
the delivery truck lift system was not functioning properly,
the FFK members unloaded the fertilizer by hand, and then
completed spreading and implementing into the new gardens.
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Going
forward, we are hoping to solicit the assistance of Future
Farmers of America to provide the required books,
CDs and any other educational material
and resources they can provide to this new and keen group
of future farmers.
During
future visits to the community, additional requirements
will be determined, and plans for solutions put in place
on our return.