Spring 2007 The Sower Newsletter, Floresta

1. Spring 2007
A Publication of Floresta USA, Inc.
Director’s Corner: Unpacking Floresta’s
Trans-Border Project Update Mission Statement,
By Scott Sabin, Executive Director Part 4: “We plant”
It is only eighteen miles between our southern Floresta, a Christian nonprofit organization,
Trans-border office in the Haitian village of Terre reverses deforestation and poverty in the world
Froid and our northern Trans-border office in the by transforming the lives of the rural poor. We
Dominican village of Sabana Real. Eighteen miles as teach, we plant, we create enterprise, and we
the crow flies and nearly nine hours travel. You can share the gospel.
almost see one village from the other, looking out across the enormous
valley that splits the southern half of Hispaniola with its chain of salt In the last issue of The Sower, we looked at
lakes. In the middle, still half buried by tons of boulders and silt which the first of Floresta’s four tools, “we teach:”
came down the river near or office on horrible night in May of 2004, lies the process of community development.
the town of Jimani. This quarter’s feature article, the fourth in
It is two hours down the mountain, a half an hour being searched by a series of discussions designed to acquaint
the Haitian police during a traffic stop, an hour at Haitian immigration, Sower readers with Floresta’s mission and
followed by a motorcycle ride between Haitian and Dominican immigra- vision, discusses the second of the four tools
tion. (All your luggage goes on the motorcycle with you – you learn to Floresta uses to reverse the vicious cycle
pack light.) It is another hour in Dominican immigration warding off of poverty and deforestation. The words
a swarm of corrupt touts charging false fees, then a two and a half hour “we plant” reflect the tools of Innovative
drive up the Sierra de Neiba mountains to the twin towns of Sabana Real Agriculture and Forestry, techniques that
and Savane Bombe. An hour for lunch and a couple of stops to col- help impoverished rural communities to
lect supplies, including mattresses rented from a Dominican army post, restore and replenish their depleted natural
rounds out the trip. resources.
Innovative Agriculture and Forestry
are tools that enable farmers to make the
best possible use of two assets they already
continued on page 2...........................................
In This Issue:
DEPARTMENTS:
Director’s Corner ................................. 1
Faces of Floresta ................................. 3
Volunteer of the Quarter ...................... 4
For Our Seedlings ................................ 5
FEATURES:
Mission Statement Defined/Pt. 4 .......... 1
Traffic on the road to Terre Froid Village Spotlight .................................. 4
Coupled with the language and cultural challenges, and the history Breaking Floresta News ....................... 6
Vacation Bible Schoolers ..................... 7
of prejudice and violence, these logistical difficulties make the close
continued on page 4.............................................................................................
Call 800.633.5319 THE SOWER Spring 2007 | 1

2. ......................................................................continued from page 1 cultural practices from around the world as well as teach-
possess: land and water. As discussed earlier in this series, ing the farmers themselves to continually experiment and
large-scale deforestation has left many of the areas where create their own innovations. In addition to cover crops
Floresta works barren and denuded. The resulting absence and soil conservation barriers, we also teach agroforestry,
of plant cover makes hillsides and their farms vulnerable bio-intensive gardening, seed selection, natural pest con-
to severe erosion, leaving behind poor soil that lacks vital trol, fish farming, animal husbandry and the production of
nutrients and cannot retain water. alternative crops.
• Forestry: Planting trees in deforested areas is an easy,
cost-effective, and sustainable way to quickly and efficiently
restore barren hillsides and replenish leeched soil. Trees
provide a multitude of benefits to farmers and their land:
they act as a sponge by enhancing the infiltration of water
into the ground, prevent erosion by stabilizing soil, sup-
press weeds and pests, slow evaporation by providing shade,
and add nitrogen and nutrients to the soil, making it more
fertile for farming.
To maximize the restorative benefits of trees, Floresta
teaches a unique type of agriculture that is particularly
suited to steep hillside farms: agroforestry. Agroforestry
involves planting trees alongside more traditional agri-
On a Floresta agroforestry farm in the Dominican Republic, pepper culture, enabling crops and trees to thrive in mutually
plants are grown at the base of trees, which give shade and provide beneficial relationships. For example, some Floresta farms
essential nutrients. in the Dominican Republic are growing trees alongside
pepper plants. The trees provide shade and pull nutrients
While deforestation and subsequent soil erosion are out of the air and put them into the soil, providing better
complicated problems, their solutions are relatively simple nutrition for the pepper plants. They also produce fruit
and highly effective. Floresta addresses both issues in tan- and wood, multiplying the income derived from the farm.
dem, with two interrelated solutions: Agroforestry systems such as this make it possible for hill-
side farms to produce more and be productive for a much
• Innovative Agriculture: In the areas where Floresta works, longer period.
most farmers practice subsistence farming: growing crops
primarily to eat, rather than to sell. Their sustenance
comes directly from the land, and their daily survival
depends on that land’s ability to produce food. Yet as their
land becomes depleted from deforestation and years of
toil, they are able to produce less and less to eat. By teach-
ing innovative agriculture, Floresta introduces farmers to
new, more sustainable farming methods, incorporating
techniques that help farms work more efficiently and ef-
fectively – with the land, instead of against it. For example,
Floresta shows farmers how to utilize cover crops which fix
nitrogen in the soil, as an inexpensive way to enrich the
soil and sustainably multiply their output. We also teach
farmers how to construct natural soil erosion barriers by
strategically planting vegetation along hillsides to help
keep soil in place.
Schoolchildren in Oaxaca visit a Floresta tree nursery to help with
As Floresta grows, we are constantly pursuing the best agri- reforestation activities.
2 | THE SOWER Spring 2007 visit www.floresta.org

3. To encourage agroforestry, Floresta helps members in
each community where we work to set up a tree nursery, in
Volunteer of the Quarter:
which seedlings are planted and raised by volunteer farm- Ryan Byrnes
ers. These seedlings are then replanted on farms or along Ryan Byrnes knows his way around a market. The
denuded hillsides. Some tree nurseries also function as 22-year-old college student works at El Pescador Fish
classrooms, in which Floresta conducts agriculture experi- Market in La Jolla, an occupation he calls “the best job
ments or teaches farmers how to graft fruit trees, making ever!” An avid, hard-working volunteer, Ryan has also
them stronger and able to produce better quality crops. generously given his time and expertise by helping
promote Floresta at a number of events recently. After
noticing that our Oaxacan pine needle baskets would
make a great addition at several local farmers’ markets
in San Diego, Ryan began to set up stands at these
markets, selling baskets and telling interested shoppers
about Floresta’s work.
Not content to stop there, Ryan then decided to
spread the word about Floresta at his church, Flood
San Diego. Over the holidays, he represented Floresta
at Flood’s Christmas market, and raised over $1,400
in coffee and basket sales and general donations. In
fact, Ryan was only limited in the amount raised by the
fact that he sold out of supplies! Ryan is now working
with several members of Floresta’s staff to create more
opportunities to market Floresta at local events, and to
build a stronger partnership between Floresta and his
church community.
Ryan’s interest in Floresta is rooted in his compas-
sion for the poor and his love for the outdoors. “I like
to rock climb, run, and basically love being outside,”
A farmer in Haiti shows the trees he has planted to help retain soil on
his hillside farm.
he says. “I am also interested in learning how we can be
better stewards of our resources, as well as how we can
Through innovative agriculture and forestry, Floresta help restore the planet and the people of this planet
helps farmers shift their focus from day-to-day survival in to the way they were when God created them.” When
order to create long-term plans for utilizing the land in a asked about his experiences with Floresta, Ryan says he
way that will preserve it for future use and increase crop has learned that “development work is just that: work.
yields. When yields improve, farmers are able to grow not It takes time to make changes
just enough food to eat, but enough to sell. Improving happen in our own lives and
their agriculture, restoring their land, and making their in the world around us. I’ve
farms sustainable over the long term radically improves the also learned that it is impor-
entire community’s diet, nutrition, health and income. tant not to underestimate the
As a result of Floresta’s work in reforestation, over 3 Flood Church, and to bring
million trees have been planted by participating farmers, enough coffee for the next
and crop yields on hillsides have dramatically increased. Christmas market!”
Farmers in Haiti have told us that they are getting up to
three times as much corn and beans as before! Thanks, Ryan!
In the next issue of The Sower, we will look at the third
of Floresta’s four objectives, “we create enterprise,” and
explain how Floresta is using microcredit, the world’s Ryan Byrnes
most effective solution to poverty, to create sustainable
economic growth and opportunity in rural communities.
Call 800.633.5319 THE SOWER Spring 2007 | 3

4. ...........................................continued from page 1
cooperation between Floresta Dominican
Village Spotlight: Mshiri, Tanzania
Republic and Floresta Haiti even more re- “It’s like walking into a garden,” visitors say about
markable. Mshiri, which lies at the foothills of the amazing
And already we are seeing fruit. Floresta Mount Kilimanjaro, where exotic flowers give a
Haiti and Floresta Dominican Republic are beautiful contrast to the fresh green of the local
learning from each other and strengthen- plants. Though rich in natural beauty, however, many
ing their work in the older project areas as people in Mshiri are poor. “40 years ago the streams
a result of this collaboration at the border. used to flow endlessly,” laments an old man. Now, many of them only flow
Floresta Haiti is adopting some of the very occasionally. The area’s soil was eroded, making it difficult for families in
successful discipleship outreach techniques Mshiri to grow enough food. That is, until last year, when Floresta began
that the Dominicans are using, and Floresta work with the villagers.
Dominican Republic is learning from the Mama Rogat, a woman in Mshiri, is thrilled about the work of Flo-
Haitians how to work more effectively with resta’s staff. With their help, she has been able to improve the quality of
loan groups. life for herself and her whole family. Mama Rogat tried new agriculture
techniques she learned from the Floresta staff and as a result was able to
produce 10 times more vegetables than she had before! Such good news
can hardly be kept a secret, so Mama Rogat’s neighbors have already asked
her to teach them these new methods.
In addition to maintaining a successful farm, Mama Rogat is also active
in caring for the environment. With Floresta’s help, she now has a tree
nursery of more than 200 seedlings, and has been involved in planting
over 100 trees in reforestation efforts. Mama Rogat has also experienced
firsthand the benefits of the improved stoves supplied to her community by
Floresta. These stoves use less firewood (to help conserve wood and trees),
produce less smoke (to improve respiratory health), cook faster (to make
better use of time), and stay hot longer than older, less efficient stoves.
Late night meeting in Sabana Real
Mama Rogat
Yet I think it is the commitment of our displays some
leadership to making this a truly collabora- of the seedlings
tive project – a true vision of the Kingdom she’s raising
in her new tree
of God – that makes me the proudest. Staff
nursery.
members are making an effort to learn one
another’s language and customs. People are
cheerfully putting up with the effort it takes
to attend regular meetings at the halfway
point in Jimani and to visit the work on ei-
ther side of the border. The team at Sabana
Real will soon be bi-national. Against the
odds, we are becoming one team, united in In Floresta villages, we often see many benefits stem from just one
our commitment to heal the land and its simple change. Mshiri, one of Floresta’s newest villages, is already making
people and to serve Jesus. great strides in improving the quality of their life through the assistance
and training provided to them by Floresta and enthusiastic community
To read more about the remarkable border members like Mama Rogat.
area and to see photos, visit our blog at Floresta village sponsors can make a difference in the lives of many
http://www.floresta777.blogspot.com other rural farmers. For just $30 a month, you can support a village of
farmers like Mshiri. You will receive regular updates and photos of your vil-
lage along with stories from farmers like Mama Rogat. First time sponsors
who sign up with our automatic payment option will have their first year’s
donation matched! To learn more or sign up, please fill out the enclosed
envelope, visit our website, or contact us at floresta@xc.org.
4 | THE SOWER Spring 2007 visit www.floresta.org

5. For Our Little Seedlings!
Earth Day 2007 is Coming!
The Earth is not just our home, it is God’s amazing creation! like recycling your
Because of that, it’s especially important to take good care of trash, carpooling,
it. April 22 is Earth Day, a special day when people all over and cutting down
the country take time to celebrate our awesome planet and on your water and
to think of some ways we can better care for our environ- electricity use.
ment. How are you planning to celebrate Earth Day? Here • Work on your green thumb by planting a tree or a few
are some ideas: plants in your backyard, school, or church. Trees and plants
don’t just make the earth more beautiful, they actually help
• Do some “spring cleaning:” Grab a few friends and orga- make our air cleaner, too!
nize an Earth Day cleanup! Pick a local spot (the beach, a • Get crafty by finding some creative ways to use items you
park, even your own neighborhood), grab some trashbags, would normally throw away, like the bird feeder we made
and spend a few hours picking up litter. from a used milk carton below. Send us your own ideas
• Hold a family meeting to brainstorm ways you can make (and pictures) for Earth Day crafts, and we just might use
your home and lifestyle more earth-friendly, by doing things them in a future Sower issue!
Make a Milk Jug Bird Feeder:
 Rinse and dry an empty milk jug.  Insert pencils or sticks for perches and fill the bot-
 Using pointed scissors (you might need an adult to tom of the jug with bird seed.
help you), cut a window in the front of the jug, and  Use string to hang feeder from a tree branch, and
make two small holes for the perches. enjoy watching to see who comes to eat!
 Use paint, markers, paper, magazine cutouts, colored
leaves, or other materials to decorate the birdhouse.
Use your imagination!
. . . the birds will love it!
Call 800.633.5319 THE SOWER Spring 2007 | 5

6. Breaking News: Faces of Floresta: Guy Paraison
What’s new at Floresta
This year, Floresta’s Haiti Program will be
Taking the World (Wide Web) celebrating its milestone 10th anniversary.
By Storm Guy Paraison, Director of Floresta Haiti,
We’re working all over the world…and has been an instrumental part of the pro-
now, all over the Web! For the latest gram since we started there in 1997. With
Floresta news, program updates, pictures, quiet strength and perseverance, Guy is al-
and discussions, visit Floresta online in the ways searching for new ways to support and
following places: empower Floresta’s staff and farmers as
they work toward transformation. Thanks
to Guy and his team, Floresta’s program in
Haiti has become a bright spot in an often
turbulent nation.
Guy Paraison
Birthplace: The 10th county of Leogane, Haiti
Number of years working with Floresta: I’ve been working with Floresta 10
years now; I started as a trainer and administrative consultant, moved on to
become credit director, and in August 2000, God led me to accompany the
team as its director.
How you came to Floresta: I started working with Floresta at the request of
my friend Jean Marie Desilus, a former colleague, and I was brought on to
start cooperative training in the communities where Floresta was beginning
• Join the discussion on our blog, “The work.
Trees,” at www.floresta777.blogspot.com.
Recent highlights include an account of Reason for working with Floresta: There’s always something new for me,
the impact Floresta’s microcredit program and I’m given the opportunity to develop my talents and new ideas. At
is having on the life of a Dominican wom- Floresta, we are truly a team: everyone is involved and equally respected.
an, and a link to “Where is Bob?” where Floresta provides learning for a lifetime!
you can track the work of our Technical
Director Bob Morikawa. Favorite part of Floresta’s work: The belief and determination of the whole
international team in working for a better life for the poor.
• Visit our myspace page at www.myspace.
com/florestaheals to send us a friend Favorite Floresta memory: The solidarity and support of the Floresta team
request or to read what others are saying when my wife had complications during her pregnancy last year. (Note: Guy
about Floresta! and his wife Marie welcomed a healthy baby boy, Guy Mike, last fall!)
• Search “www.floresta.org” on Hobbies/interests: Soccer, hiking to visit farms in rural areas
www.youtube.com to watch, rate, or
comment on our powerful music videos Favorite book: The Bible, and books about management and community
highlighting our work in Haiti, the development
Dominican Republic, and Mexico.
One or two unique/interesting facts about you: I am always calm even in
As always, check for regular updates and new difficult situations. I think that when your mind is calm, you can make the
features on our website, www.floresta.org best decisions. I am against violence because violence destroys more than it
builds. I suffer every time I see someone in extreme poverty.
6 | THE SOWER Spring 2007 visit www.floresta.org

7. Vacation Bible Schoolers are “making change”
for Floresta!
Several months ago, we received some exciting news from one of the simple
Marcia Daugherty, a new Floresta friend in Akron, Ohio. reasons that trees are
Marcia contacted us after helping organize a Vacation essential to a village,
Bible School at Montrose Zion United Methodist Church. such as producing
She found Floresta’s website while searching online, and food (bananas, coco-
“adopted” Floresta as the VBS missions project for a week nuts, etc.), firewood to
over the summer. We were blessed and delighted by the cook with, wood for
generosity of Marcia and her VBS kids, and inspired by building homes, and
her story: preventing soil ero-
sion (we talked about VBS participan
t Mar y Cartwrig
“We selected Floresta for our Vacation Bible School the farmers’ dirt and shows the money ht
she raised to he
plant Floresta tre lp
children’s missions project because we were interested in baby plants sliding es.
doing a project that could blend with our Caribbean is- down the mountain-
land theme for the year. We always choose an evangelical sides when it rains). The children got very excited
organization which seeks to spread the good news of Jesus about buying ‘baby trees,’ and each day they brought their
Christ as well as aid the needy of the world. coins and dollars for the offerings. One little girl brought
all the money she had in her piggy bank to VBS in a little
black purse! The kids talked to their parents and got con-
tributions, and some did jobs at home to earn money for
the offerings.
As the offerings increased, we moved a stuffed monkey
up an inflatable palm tree to show progress toward our
goal. Along with the contributions of parents at our eve-
ning festival and our Sunday morning presentation, the
children collected over $1500! They were thrilled to have
gathered enough to begin THREE new tree nurseries for
villages in the Dominican Republic!”
What a wonderful story! Thanks to the hard work and
enthusiasm of Marcia and Montrose Zion’s Vacation Bible
School kids, Floresta will be able to plant and grow thou-
sands more “baby trees!”
The Sower Issue #76.
The Sower is published quarterly
by Floresta USA
Montrose Zion’s monkey reaches the top of the tree! 4903 Morena Blvd., Suite 1215
San Diego, California 92117
I was excited about the fact that the children could Ph: (858) 274-3718, (800) 633-5319.
easily understand the idea of raising money for trees--they Fax: (858) 274-3728
know what trees are and can easily remember the con- E-mail: floresta@xc.org
cept. Each day during the VBS opening I would explain www.floresta.org
Call 800.633.5319 THE SOWER Spring 2007 | 7

8. Earth Day is coming! Find out
how you can participate. (page 5)
Floresta farmers in the Dominican Republic pause before planting pine seedlings.
Floresta’s New project is
breaking down borders (page 1)
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
floresta@xc.org
(858) 274-3718
San Diego, CA 92117
OCEANSIDE, CA 4903 Morena Blvd., Suite 1215
PERMIT NO. 236
PAID
U.S. POSTAGE
NON PROFIT ORG.