Rural Farming Project
Rural Farming Project - This project takes place in the Satellite Church communities. Oxen/plow, seed and fertilizer were deployed into three of the rural church communities. This ministry will soon expand into a pilot project providing chickens to rural families and a pilot project providing tree seedlings to help improve food security and income. We will working on a project to deploy an agronomist to train local farmers in the rural communities.
Oxen/Plow Project - In 2022 donors made possible the deployment of sets of Oxen (2) and a plow into three of the rural church communities: Hatty (Central Plateau), Lapila (North), and Ouanaminthe (Northeast). Since that time the farmers have made good use of the resources to increase efficiency and crop yield. The local community has assigned people to care for the oxen and equipment. Coming in 2027 we will conduct an in-depth survey of these farmers to find out how much land is being farmed, the crops planted, and other data. This information will give us an idea of how we can better help and support the work of these farmers. The ox and plow are also loaned out to unbelievers in the rural communities as an evangelistic tool. The church members help unbelievers know the love of Jesus through a concrete expression of assistance and care. Don’t underestimate the power of an OX!!
Seed/Fertilizer Project - Each year we supply funds for the purchase of seed and fertilizer. The farmers have struggled with price increases due to volatile inflation, gang violence, and economic insecurity. What was once a modestly affordable commodity has become out of reach of the average rural farmer. Providing these resources helps our farmers to expand crop yield thus increasing both available food and income. The 2027 farmer survey will seek data on costs, types, uses, crop rotation and other information. The goal each year for seed/fertilizer is $8,000.
Agricultural Livestock Project – This new pilot project seeks to empower local families in the rural church communities to improve family income and care for long term needs. Goats, pigs, and chickens are livestock which do well in Haiti. Our project begins with chickens. Chickens are important for eggs and meat, providing quick protein and income sources. As farming techniques improve their productivity increases. This project will begin small and expand as necessary and able. The first-year pilot funding is $1,800 to provide 18 families with six pairs of chickens and some funds for an enclosure.
Agricultural Vegetation Project – This new pilot project seeks to empower farmers and families to plant trees like mango, avocado, coconut and other species which provide regular yearly harvests. These trees which prosper in Haiti are primarily fast-growing, drought-resistant species used to provide food, income, and soil stabilization. Fruit trees are prioritized for food security and income. Trees enhance biodiversity by improving soil health, providing multiple streams of income while offering ecological benefits like wind protection and water management. Through this project seedlings, training and education will be provided to help farmers and families in the rural Satellite Church communities. The first-year pilot funding is $1,500 providing tree seedlings in addition to the training and support.
Community Agronomist Project – This new pilot project will fund a part-time agronomist who will offer training, consultation and on-going support to the Satellite Churches local communities in the areas of: effective oxen/plow usage, best practices for seed planting/harvesting, crop rotation, trenching/terracing, regenerative agriculture, cover crops, compost fertilizer, and best practices for the agricultural vegetation (trees) project. The first-year pilot funding is to be determined.
Agro-Survey – In the summer of 2027 and again in the fall/winter we will undertake an in-depth survey of the projects we support in the area of agriculture. The data we receive from these surveys will enable us to fine tune the mission work being done so the that greatest good can be achieved with your donated dollars and the hardworking people and resources in Haiti. We will fund a member of each local Satellite Church rural community to make surveys of all the agricultural missions - ox/plow, livestock, seed/fertilizer, trees – in consultation with the Agronomist and local church Pastor in the communities. The project cost is yet to be determined.
