Let's Build Gonave, Haiti!

Reforestation of La Gonave and the Honey Bee project Phase 1A.  Vetiver Vetiver grass will be planted and reproduced on La Gonvae for future reforestation plans.  The grass holds onto the soil, and allows for good water retention due to its long root system.  The grass is resistant to drought and provides good soil buildup.  This grass is good for crops to be planted next to it. Phase 1B.  Moringa Tree This is called the "Miracle Tree" due to the entire tree being useful for human consumption.  The tree also can provide food for livestock as well.  This tree is fast growing and has very large roots.  It produces seeds which are designed to float to the ground near the tree, and will grow on their own. These trees will have value in many different ways and will also be a crop that can be sold to markets on the island. This tree will produce flowers that honeybees love.  In fact the honey that is created due to the flowers of th...

La Gonave is currently being studied as a fodder assessment.  This assessment will determine how to stabilize food crops for people, and animals.  Not only that but the assessment will find ways to fast track vegetation in sections of the island. The purpose of re-forestation is to bring the environment back to where it was.  Other programs we are running are finding ways that stoves and ways to produce alternatives to charcoal.  These programs are all dependent on each other.  To stop the massive amount of deforestation a fuel alternative is needed.  Vetiver is an option for cooking fuel.  While other programs such as Sunn Hemp will focus on compost measures, Vetiver will focus on building the environment on La Gonave. Vetiver will clean the area where it is planted, and it stays in place.  So there is no concern about the plant landing in areas where it shouldn't be, in fact the seeds from the grass are sterile.  The plant traps bacter...

First off, sorry for the long delay in between posts.  I have been working with two different organizations, and soon to be three to get a few projects going on La Gonave. You are aware of the Honey Bee Project, but other projects will be farming activities and solar ovens.  The proposal that I am sending over will allow for honey to be available to all residents on the island of La Gonave.  Now the initial capacity of honey production will not allow for this, however as the honey bee network grows, it will be available to all residents on the island for no charge.  The language within the proposal allows for additional growth within the honey production for spin off businesses.  If honey production exceeds local demand, it will then be sold to different locations in Haiti itself. Farming is the next project which as I mentioned will focus on cover crops.  We are excited about this as it will allow for cover crops which can change the landscape of La G...

Go Gonave!