First Post YAY!!!

Well I'm completely new to the blogging world sooooo here it goes!!  For the most part this is going to be about my 27months over seas in Ecuador as a Peace Corps Volunteer (YAY!).  The program is Sustainable Agriculture and my job title is as an Integrated Farms-Animal Production volunteer.  I'm going to put some things on here from my assignment handbook so you guys can see some of what the PC expects from me.

'The main purpose of the sustainable ag. program is to work hand in hand with rural farmers and community    members introducing them to organic agriculture.'

Some of my primary duties will be:

• Spending time with small farmers to enhance their agriculture and agri business skills.
• Introducing small famers to organic agriculture methodologies.
• I will also be collaborating with my counterparts to design and create no cost demonstrations and supplementary learning materials.
• Also I am to support projects and activities with farmers associations; women's group; and youth groups and work on building life skills among people and collaborate with community members.

Goals:

• Community member will adopt sustainable agricultural practices to increase production.
• Community members will increase market opportunites by developing and managing small business projects within the agricultural sector.

Here are also some specific tasks that I may have to do:

• Train individuals in appropriate management techniques for small animal production
• Train farmers in the utilization of animal and plant wastes as a part of an integrated agricultural production system
• Introduce marketing concepts to individuals
• Introduce small animals, including butchering and preparation, as an important dietary protien (WWHHAAATTT!!!!).....oh dear....that's going to be a tough one....I killed a chicken once in one of my AG classes in college and that was really difficult...I guess a chicken is one thing but what if it's a guinea pig or something bigger than 5 lbs?! I guess I'll have to tackle that bridge when I come to it. OK continuing...
• Train individuals in the prevention and proper management/treatment of the most common diseases affecting small animals in Ecuador (that will be really interesting to learn and teach!)
• AND...Motivate farmers to form associations and promote leadership.

OK there was more but I thought I would be boring people.  Well there is a glimpse in to what I'll be doing for 24months (plus 3 months training)....I'm so excited about this program, I feel like it couldn't ask for a better placement for me.  I had been nominated into a program early this year in January in crop extension but was not medically cleared before the departure date of the program so I had to wait till November of this year. Even though I was bummed out about not getting accepted right away, it really worked out in my favor.  I have a lot more experience in animal production.