If you haven’t already met Jerry, he is a poultry farmer, husband and dad to four kids here in Oregon. The vision he received around stewarding land, family and food is not only changing the lives within his local community, but our global community as well.
Read more about Farm in a Barrel.
Farm in a Barrel is a low-tech, high-impact farming system that contains all the necessary equipment to start a small farm in one area of focus. Each system comes with everything needed to begin production and is shipped in a 55 gallon recycled plastic barrel which is then integrated as part of the farming system during production. -Grow International
Jerry was given a clear vision on how he could use his gifts to help the people of Sierra Leone and beyond and now Jerry and Grow International have been invited back to Sierra Leone by the Minister of Agriculture and The Sierra Leone Chamber of Agribusiness Development (SLeCAD). ‘We have been asked to bring ‘Farm in a Barrel’ over as a project designed to: promote the development of sustainable chicken farming, add to the value chain, increase food security and boost farm income.’
‘We cannot do it alone. We need your help to raise the necessary funds to accomplish a successful pilot program.’
Pilot Program
The pilot program will focus on training and leading 20-40 farmers through one growing cycle of raising pastured poultry. The pilot program will gather information and statistics to make any necessary adjustments before moving into the next phase of introducing 5000 farmers to a sustainable business model within 3 years. The initial focus will be in 4 regions: Waterloo, Kambia/Makeni, Kenema/Makni, and Bo.
Upon completion of a successful pilot program Sierra Leone will continue the growth within their own country by funding the next phase, thus making this a long-lasting, sustainable plan. Therefore, your donations will have a multiplying effect. We have a goal of starting the pilot program with 40 farmers in Sierra Leone in the Fall of 2012. We would be honored if you participated in helping us launch this endeavor.
They just started production on their first barrel earlier this month. It costs $599.00 to sponsor a barrel, (so any donation rocks!) which includes making the barrel and materials, shipping the barrel and farming materials and training one farmer to produce 20-30 chickens/growing cycle for his or her community. If you want to support the Sierra Leone Pilot Program or just keep up with what is going on with this project, check out the links below.
Learn about Grow International on their website
Like them on Facebook
Support Farm in a Barrel
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