F2F is a program that promotes economic development and food security abroad by sending volunteer technical specialists from the U.S. to Latin America to provide technical assistance to producers, cooperatives, agribusinesses, NGO’s, and educational institutions. Our program covers all volunteer costs including airfare, lodging, meals, insurance, and any other assignment-related expenses.
Hydroponics Nutrient Film Technique Specialist – Guyana (3 weeks in May-July)
The adverse effects of changing climate and weather patterns have reduced agricultural efficiency and productivity tasking farmers with finding alternative means to meet increasing demand for fresh, high quality vegetables. An F2F volunteer is requested to first evaluate existing shadehouse hydroponic vegetable producers who are using the Nurtient Film Technique (NFT) production system, assess if these producers are using best practices, and finally train prodcuers on methods to improve their systems. It is expected that at the end of the assignment that producers will be able to setup a Hydroponics (NFT) system for the production of vegetables such lettuce, bok choy, celery, parsley, tomatoes, and peppers.
Hydroponic Strawberry Specialist - Dominican Republic (15 days in July-August)
Strawberry farming in the Dominican Republic has historically enjoyed success due to favorable climate and weather conditions, and the new generation of youth farmers is looking to expand the Dominican strawberry tradition by incorporating hydroponics into their production. To speed up adoption, a F2F volunteer is needed to train a group of youth farmers in the production and best practices for hydroponic strawberries. It is expected that at the end of this assignment that a group of farmers strawberry farmers will be able to construct and operate systems for hydroponically grown strawberries.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the program or assignment in further detail.
Kelly McNally
Program Officer/Recruiter, Economic Development & Health
Partners of the Americas
202.524.6291 | kmcnally@partners.net
