www.YouFeedThem.com

The YFT Strategic Plan:

The YFT Strategic Plan contains complete details and timeframes to ensure that dependency is not created, self-sustainability is reached, all within a 3 to 5 year plan. Following is a brief outline of the Strategic Plan:

Step 1:

Identify a community in need that meets the following criteria:

A partner, either an existing NGO or a community-based structure, exists in an area. If not already there a Community Based Organization (CBO) that consists of Secular and Faith leaders is established. This partnership is established to provide on-site oversight of the YFT project and to encourage the community to take responsibility for the success of the project.
Arable land is available for use and the community is prepared to work the soil under the direction and support provided by YFT.

Once above criteria are met, mission visits are undertaken to develop the soil and to train the future farmers in the area. YFT raises funds through interested sponsors and organizations to develop the land to a self sustainment level (The farm produces enough product and income to feed the farmers, finance the costs related to the farm, and provide an income to develop further projects in the community as directed by the CBO. )

Step 2:

An initial mission trip is undertaken to evaluate the best agricultural projects that can be developed – projects that can become self-sustaining and contribute to the development of a community. Initial support may include the purchase of a community plot of land to train agricultural workers on new technologies and practices.

The intent is not to introduce machinery or new crops, but to work with the existing workers to better improve the quality of the land and to produce crops that can sustain the community.

With the on-site partner and community support a contract is entered into that will ensure proper use of financial resources, equipment and assistance provided.

The mission trip will also determine the best method to educate the farmers. This can include on-site community based programs, sponsoring students from the area for education programs or to support existing educational programs already in the area.

On conclusion of the mission trip a plan to improve agricultural practices will be produced, timelines established and work started that includes - soil preparation, irrigation if required, crop identification and crop rotation, soil replenishment. Milestones will be set with the community in order to move to a self-sustainable agricultural system.

Step 3:

YFT will be responsible for acquiring the initial funding to cover start-up projects. The on-site partner will be responsible to provide the oversight to ensure the funds are used for the stated purposes.

The community is expected to provide the workforce and to assume ownership of the program. YFT monitors the progress of the crop development and supports follow-up mission trips as required. If possible, multiple crops will be grown over a one year period which in turn increases the food source and potential for cash crops.

Once income is generated from the crops, the community will be encouraged to assume the costs to operate the agriculture fields and to take on community projects such as funding nursery schools, schools, medical centres, orphanages.

Other farmers, on seeing the advantages of the introduced agricultural practices, will be encouraged and assisted to follow the agriculture practices introduced - again improving food sources and potential for cash crops. In encouraging others in the community to join the program the income base will be increased. All participating farms will be expected to pay forward through supporting community programs and other projects.

Step 4:

YFT will continue to work with the supporting community to ensure funds and the requisite knowledge is in place to develop the agricultural capabilities of the supported community. YFT, through the supporting community, will ensure the supported community has realistic milestones set each year.

Within five years the objective is that the agricultural program will generate sufficient revenue to sustain itself, feed the people working the land and fund community projects. One of the milestones for the Community will include a goal to pay forward to another local community or to a project that supports others.