Why Haiti?
After several years of Harvest Craft’s work around the world, we determined that our greatest ability to influence change is embedded in where we are able to facilitate the deepest relationship; this is in Haiti. Primarily, because our CEO, Craig Erickson, lived there, but also because we have been operating in this country the longest.
We aim to be an organization that has a true impact in one place that is rooted in deep relationships, rather than leaving surface level impacts around the world. Since last year Harvest Craft has been instrumental in establishing a Haitian foundation that is carrying the work forward - bringing our philosophy full circle.
Why the Center Model?
The United States uses a model of research and extension centers that are set to receive governmental and agricultural industry finances. Those funds are invested into research conducted by university teams, which determine solutions that can then be implemented into local agricultural industries. These solutions promote increased yields, agro-ecosystem health, and profitability.
In a country where government support is minimal and a scattered agricultural industry cannot support this kind of work, Harvest Craft seeks to step into this void and develop a Center that can stimulate economic development, while promoting environmental stewardship.
Why Agroecology?
Agroecology treats the agricultural system like an eco-system; it is mindful of the web of relationships held between all organisms in nature, and goes beyond organic and sustainable constructs. Agroecology is more than a science or farming technique. It is a social movement that focuses on the welfare of farmers in developing nations, because these farmers are a part of their agro-ecosystem and food production system. If they can maintain a productive and healthy environment, then they and their consumers can maintain a healthy and flourishing lifestyle.*
*The Center for Agroecology promotes the 10 elements of Agroecology as defined by the FAO.
The 8 Guiding Principles
How a Center for Agroeocology engages the community
1. Agroecology - Apply an integrated approach working with ecological principles and social concepts to design and manage agricultural systems
2. Understanding - Gain detailed knowledge of the physical landscape as well as the needs and desires of the community before designing the project.
3. Demonstration - Demonstrate the design and management of appropriate systems.
4. Training - Conduct regular training and discussions with community members and groups to ensure meaningful participation.
5. Resourcing - Production of trees, seasonal crop support, and education.
6. Relationship Building and Partnership - Build trust and good relations between our team and community members.
7. Connectivity - Connect agricultural initiatives with environmental restoration and connect producers to the market.
8. Measurability - True impact and transparency of our work together for iterative improvements and growth
FBR Haiti Leadership Team
Administrative Director
Dieunord
Dieunord is a natural born leader and has had years of experience managing and administrating all kinds of projects.
Particularly he was instrumental in overseeing the planting operations in the mangrove sites as well as watershed sites for our program in which nearly 8 million trees were planted over the course of just a couple of years.
Dieunord is committed to creating a brighter and healthier future for his community, his country, and Haiti’s natural environment. He has a real passion for people and the environment that they depend on which makes him a perfect fit to lead FBR’s programs alongside Agro Lundy.
Mangrove Manager
Sanneva
Sanneva is an agronomist that helped us to pioneer our mangrove projects in southern Haiti. He worked with another one of our planting managers Jean Gardy to launch our Aquin site and went on to lead the planting of another 2.5 million trees on the island of Ille a Vache just off the coast.
Sanneva is a determined leader who is serious about his work. He shows passion and pride in what he does and it certainly shows. Just like the other members of our team, he cares about making a big change in his community and his country by radically renewing this important natural ecosystem. We are sure that, given the resources, he will be able to take this planting project to a whole new level.
Technical Director
Lundy
Lundy is our full-time lead agronomist and manager for Harvest Craft in Haiti. He’s overseen the Haiti Center for Agroecology (HCA) program since 2019 and provided key leadership and structure in the development and rapid growth of the program.
Lundy’s background and university education as an agronomist make him a perfect fit for the HCA program and a trusted resource to the local farmer community. His enthusiasm for both the people and research made it possible for us to research, grow, and distribute various mixed vegetable and fruit crop species over the last couple of years.
He’s currently most excited to see the HCA programs expand across all of Haiti and grow beyond the 400+ farmers already connected to the program.
Mangrove Manager
Jean Gardy
Jean Gardy has had a passion for environmental restoration since Craig first met him while he was studying at Providence University in Haiti.
Jean Gardy ran some small tree nurseries and planting teams for a time at his University where they planted a beautiful g. After he graduated he moved back near his hometown in southern Haiti and was a pioneer of the mangrove planting project in Aquin. Over the course of 2 years he lead the planting of nearly 2.5 million trees alongside Sanneva and they are all growing well to this day. He dreams of the day that we can begin this work again.
LEad Agronomist
André-Paul
André-Paul is another full-time technician with university training as an agronomist, working for the Haiti Center for Agroecology (HCA). Since joining the program at the HCA in 2021, his list of contributions is long. He helped cultivate the passion fruit growth on campus and drove the success of sales in the local marketplace. He has also supported the development and boom of the HCA tomato program, as well as hosted lectures on animal husbandry in our monthly training program.
André-Paul shares that his biggest pride in the HCA, is the real-life change and improved crop yields he sees from the attendees in the HCA programs.
Senior Accountant
Dieubel
Dieubel has been our accountant since 2018. He keeps all the books organized and makes sure that the teams have all the resources that they need.
Dieubel is dedicated to the cause of creating a brighter future and a resilient natural environment for Haitians and Haitian farmers to thrive. He has assisted in developing our cooperative program and much more. We are lucky to have him as a leader in this work.
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