Outreach

To AGC outreach means taking the knowledge that has been acquired on the website and implementing it in the field. AGC strongly believes that the key to long-term outreach is building upon traditional systems that are already locally practiced. AGC does not believe in implementing and promoting industrial styles of agriculture where farmers, dependent on expensive inputs, are left with unreasonable debt. The organization instead values low-tech, low-cost, and low labor solutions that can help improve soil quality and thus, the productivity of the farmer. Promoting technologies that will have a longlasting positive effect is the underlying principal of AGC’s outreach efforts. With the help of a paid internal staff, AGC will be able to establish outreach projects in regions around the world where sustainable agriculture is needed the most while simultaneously growing the Notes From the Field Library.

 LOW COST-LOW TECH- LOW LABOR SOLUTIONS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE POLYCULTURE AND ENABLE FARMERS TO PULL THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY

AGC believes that empowering rural communities to solve their own regional food insecurity issues is key to a prosperous future. The Internet enables quick information exchange and the unity needed to create an improved agriculture system. It’s true that not all global farmers have access to the Internet at home; nevertheless, Internet cafés are widely available in many areas, giving more and more people access to this valuable resource. There is no doubt that the internet is the most effective tool for sharing information globally. AGC can use this tool to connect farmers around the world, such as Dan Kiprop Kibet, a Kenyan farmer who joined the team in May of 2011 after discovering AGC online. Since working with AGC, Dan has contributed four articles and has used the site to help share sustainable agriculture techniques with other farmers in Kenya.

Outreach designed with the farmer, for the farmer, in the field.

The Outreach Strategy…
As AGC continues to grow and develop its global team, research farms can be established as centers for outreach and education. Partnering with agriculture leaders in these regions will be paramount to the success of these programs. After coming to understand the needs of the community, micro-outreach projects on test farms can be launched that will help address current issues for those that are interested.

These research farms will test and demonstrate how local systems address food insecurity. If the project involves technologies that are too complex or expensive, then they are not practical. If other farmers in the area cannot duplicate the strategies affordably, then other strategies and designs will need to be implemented. AGC is a culturally sensitive organization that listens to partners while helping build upon existing systems. AGC is for farmers and by farmers, and does not seek to establish systems that have not already been tested within the region.

CURRENT 2013 OUTREACH PROJECTS

• EXPERIMENT 1: EFFECTS OF RAW MILK FERTILIZATION ON MIXED COOL SEASON PASTURES, USA

• EXPERIMENT 2: ASSESSMENT OF TWO DIFFERENT CARBON SOURCE RATIOS IN A LIVING BED  SYSTEM FOR SWINE, VIETNAM

• EXPERIMENT 3: BIOPOD AND BSF PRODUCTION ASSESSMENT FOR TEMPERATE PIEDMONT CLIMATES, USA

• ORGANIC FARM INSTALLMENT AT KABERNET ORPHANAGE, KENYA

• SOULSTACE FARM  INTERNSHIP, ACCEPTING RESUMES NOW! CLICK HERE