Call for Volunteers: Nicaragua and Guatemala
Partners' Farmer-to-Farmer program is currently recruiting volunteers for several dairy and livestock related assignments in Nicaragua, as well as marketing and tropical fruit specialists in Guatemala. Take a look at the list of volunteer opportunities below!
Nicaragua
Cattle feed specialist (April - May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
A volunteer with specific knowledge in forage is needed to support a local cooperative in analyzing their current feed and developing a new low-cost feed mixture that meets the nutritional needs of different categories of livestock. Guidelines and instructions on how to create high-quality feed are required deliverables.
Meat science expert (April - May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert is needed to conduct an analysis of cattle carcasses at 4 slaughterhouses to measure beef quality. The volunteer will analyze fat content, pH levels, color, texture, and morphometry, among other things. A few deliverables include presenting the findings to local beef stakeholders and leading 1-2 trainings on quality beef standards.
Feed mill equipment expert (April - May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert is needed to evaluate a local feed mill and make recommendations aimed at achieving greater efficiency in the industrial process. The volunteer will train factory personnel in the proper use and preventative maintenance of the plant equipment and will lead 1-2 trainings.
Nutrition education specialist (May - June 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
A volunteer with expertise in nutrition education is needed to support association members in launching a dairy education campaign. The volunteer will provide educational workshops in schools and universities on the nutritional benefits of dairy products. Deliverables include 4-5 educational workshops, a presentation for dairy stakeholders, and a trip report.
Guatemala
Marketing expert with experience working with peanuts and Hibiscus sabdariffa (February – May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert in the food industry with extensive knowledge in the industrialization and processing of peanuts and hibiscus is needed to train farmers on best management practices and to design a marketing strategy. Knowledge of product diversification (i.e., fried peanuts, peanut butter, hibiscus jam or tea, etc.), packaging, product presentation, setting expiration dates, and nutritional content of products is also desired.
Market research and analysis expert (April - June 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
A volunteer with experience conducting market research and analysis is needed to assist a small mushroom production company in identifying niche markets and opportunities for the export of natural, organic, or medicinal products made from specialty mushrooms. Experience with evaluating market trends for domestic and international markets and on U.S. export regulations is also required. Expected deliverables are to build the capacity of a specialty mushroom production business to be able to analyze market data and make informed decisions when developing new products made out of mushrooms (i.e., pills, extracts, etc.). The volunteer will also help to promote linkages between U.S. companies and/or identify opportunities to access markets or credit.
Mango production expert (March – May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert in mango production with experience in fertilization and proper crop and pest management is needed in Guatemala to conduct an assessment of mango production farms and provide trainings on ways to increase production. The volunteer will produce a report on good crop management practices and the preparation of a fertilization plan.
Avocado production specialist (March – September 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert in pruning, fertilization, and plantation management of avocados is needed to assist Guatemalan avocado farmers in improving the quantity and quality of production for export. A manual on proper pruning, fertilization, and irrigation of avocados, along with a Farmer-to-Farmer trip report, are required deliverables.
Please contact Adriana Robertson at arobertson@partners.net for more information on assignments in Nicaragua and Courtney Dunham at cdunham@partners.net for information on assignments in Guatemala. As always, our in-country field staff coordinate logistics and F2F covers volunteer travel, housing, food, and other related costs.
Nicaragua
Cattle feed specialist (April - May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
A volunteer with specific knowledge in forage is needed to support a local cooperative in analyzing their current feed and developing a new low-cost feed mixture that meets the nutritional needs of different categories of livestock. Guidelines and instructions on how to create high-quality feed are required deliverables.
Meat science expert (April - May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert is needed to conduct an analysis of cattle carcasses at 4 slaughterhouses to measure beef quality. The volunteer will analyze fat content, pH levels, color, texture, and morphometry, among other things. A few deliverables include presenting the findings to local beef stakeholders and leading 1-2 trainings on quality beef standards.Feed mill equipment expert (April - May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert is needed to evaluate a local feed mill and make recommendations aimed at achieving greater efficiency in the industrial process. The volunteer will train factory personnel in the proper use and preventative maintenance of the plant equipment and will lead 1-2 trainings.
Nutrition education specialist (May - June 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
A volunteer with expertise in nutrition education is needed to support association members in launching a dairy education campaign. The volunteer will provide educational workshops in schools and universities on the nutritional benefits of dairy products. Deliverables include 4-5 educational workshops, a presentation for dairy stakeholders, and a trip report.
Guatemala
Marketing expert with experience working with peanuts and Hibiscus sabdariffa (February – May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert in the food industry with extensive knowledge in the industrialization and processing of peanuts and hibiscus is needed to train farmers on best management practices and to design a marketing strategy. Knowledge of product diversification (i.e., fried peanuts, peanut butter, hibiscus jam or tea, etc.), packaging, product presentation, setting expiration dates, and nutritional content of products is also desired.
Market research and analysis expert (April - June 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
A volunteer with experience conducting market research and analysis is needed to assist a small mushroom production company in identifying niche markets and opportunities for the export of natural, organic, or medicinal products made from specialty mushrooms. Experience with evaluating market trends for domestic and international markets and on U.S. export regulations is also required. Expected deliverables are to build the capacity of a specialty mushroom production business to be able to analyze market data and make informed decisions when developing new products made out of mushrooms (i.e., pills, extracts, etc.). The volunteer will also help to promote linkages between U.S. companies and/or identify opportunities to access markets or credit.
Mango production expert (March – May 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert in mango production with experience in fertilization and proper crop and pest management is needed in Guatemala to conduct an assessment of mango production farms and provide trainings on ways to increase production. The volunteer will produce a report on good crop management practices and the preparation of a fertilization plan.
Avocado production specialist (March – September 2015: 2 - 3 weeks)
An expert in pruning, fertilization, and plantation management of avocados is needed to assist Guatemalan avocado farmers in improving the quantity and quality of production for export. A manual on proper pruning, fertilization, and irrigation of avocados, along with a Farmer-to-Farmer trip report, are required deliverables.
Please contact Adriana Robertson at arobertson@partners.net for more information on assignments in Nicaragua and Courtney Dunham at cdunham@partners.net for information on assignments in Guatemala. As always, our in-country field staff coordinate logistics and F2F covers volunteer travel, housing, food, and other related costs.
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