Our Programs
Tree Planting
Trees are planted on private, rented, sharecropped and community land, depending on the location. Trees are planted as living fences and orchards, for slope stabilization and land reclamation. There are community-managed forests being established, and trees get planted around public buildings, schools and churches. Impact highlights in 2022:
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1,152,300 trees were grown by SFA farmer members in nurseries and then transplanted and looked after.
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3 new nurseries were established, which brings the total number of SFA tree nurseries to 33.
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107 new orchards were created and planted with fruit trees for farmer members.
Agricultural Services
Tree planting is how SFA members earn a range of services to improve their farming operations, resulting in increased yields and income. Impact highlights in 2022:
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18 new seed banks were established in which all seed in circulation is supplied by farmers with no external purchases.
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168 training sessions to improve farmer agricultural techniques, with some farm leaders trained to the level of an agricultural extension worker.
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74 farm groups were helped to restructure to become more effective farmer associations.
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87 goats distributed and followed up by veterinary visit.
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7,000 tools distributed, including hoes and pick axes.
Regenerative Cotton
Cotton was the fourth largest agricultural export from Haiti before it disappeared 30 years ago. The SFA reintroduced cotton in 2019 as an organic crop. Now we have transitioned to a regenerative system of cultivation, guided by Terra Genesis, that has a measurable positive climate impact. Impact highlights in 2022:
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29,000 lbs of cotton was exported in mid-2022, noting this was organically-grown cotton harvested prior to 2022 that was not yet regenerative.
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50 cotton farms planted their first regenerative cotton crop and began harvesting in December.
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extensive field data was gathered that allowed the 2022 crop to be one of the first verified regenerative crops in the world.
Microcredit Loans
In Haiti, as in many developing countries, women make up close to half the farming population but are largely unable to access financial services. The SFA loan program is exclusively for women farmers, and provides low-interest loans for agricultural purposes as well as in connection with off-farm small businesses that supplement farm incomes. Impact highlights in 2022:
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277 loans were provided to women smallholders to finance small side businesses and farm operations.
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100% repayment rate was maintained in 2022, as has been the case since the program started in 2011.
Environmental Education
Haiti has a high percentage of its population aged 14 or younger, compared to other countries in the region. Introducing environmental responsibility and the value of trees is critical if this young generation is to take a lead in recovery efforts in the years ahead. Impact highlights from 2022:
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second Tanama comic book by Haitian artist Thony Loui was published in which this supershero battles villains, plants trees and protects the environment. Check out the Tanama website at www.tanamaproject.org.
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350 students took part in an environmental education pilot project with a curriculum developed by the SFA.
Green Corps
A major challenge for recent graduates from agronomy and veterinary schools in Haiti is getting a foothold in their respective sectors. This program places these graduates as interns with the SFA and other smallholder-focused NGOs, usually for a 10-month period. Impact highlights from 2022:
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10 graduates were placed as interns in order to get their first practical experience after earning degrees as agronomists or veterinarians
Note: the intern in this photo is spraying biological insecticide made with hot peppers, ginger, garlic and onions.
