May 2014
Winrock’s Jon Winsten was named one of the winners of a prize competition challenging innovators to identify global solutions that could help reduce, mediate and eliminate excess nitrogen and phosphorus in water. Winsten proposed “Model at the Farm, Measure at the Watershed,” a pay-for-performance incentive solution for farmers. Read more about the winners and their solutions at the EPA blog, Greenversations.
From March 24-April 4, the USAID-funded Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forests (USAID LEAF) program organized a Technical Training on Forest Carbon Assessment and Logging Emission Factor Development in Malaysia, which included participants from Malaysia, Vietnam and Laos. Winrock scientists helped strengthen the capacity of foresters from around the region to estimate greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land-use sector, using the latest technology for mobile data collection and field measurement.
With the support of USAID LEAF, Cambodian students can now benefit from the first climate change course to be offered in universities in the country. Read more of this success story in the “Transforming Lives” section on USAID’s website.
On May 5, The Arkansas Women's Business Center in El Dorado, Ark., introduced Liz Young as the new director of the center, which provides training and technical assistance to women entrepreneurs around the state.
The Wallace Center at Winrock International has now posted resources and recordings from the 2014 National Food Hub Conference in March. Visit the National Good Food Network’s Food Hub Resources page for mp3 audio and PowerPoint presentations from this year's conference.
In the months ahead, USAID’s Room to Learn project, implemented by Winrock, will resume activities in South Sudan, while aiming to serve children displaced by the recent conflict — children who are cut off from schooling in their communities. Read more in the latest project report from Room to Learn on GlobalGiving.
Are you interested in working at Winrock? Search current openings and post your resume. Would you like to volunteer with Winrock? Learn more about new opportunities for volunteers.
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Innovative farming techniques improve livelihoods, protect ecosystems in Bangladesh
 In the low-lying flatlands of Jatra Pasha in Bangladesh, Gunendra Sen’s lush green vegetable farm is burgeoning with potatoes, tomatoes, beans, squash, lentils and cucumbers. He is a lead farmer for the Winrock-implemented Climate Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods (CREL) project, demonstrating to people in his region that border the Hail Haor, a major wetland in Sreemangal, that there are alternatives to extracting directly from nature.
Villagers like Sen, who once lived off fishing in the wetlands, are being introduced to economic alternatives such as homestead gardening, handicrafts, ecotourism or other appropriate activities for a particular household or community. For his part, Sen provides evidence to others who may be taking from the declared eco-sanctuaries, that there are alternative, and more responsible, sources of income.
Sen is incorporating innovative farming techniques — learned from CREL, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) — into his regular cultivation practice: planting seeds in rows, instead of the prevailing custom of casting them wide and haphazardly; using calcium carbonate to act as a pH buffer to till the land; spreading natural cow dung rather than chemical fertilizers; and growing vegetables in an area not used before. In the four months he has used these farming practices, Sen has seen his vegetable yield almost double.
Watching as two of his employees sort through the plump, stout cucumbers popular this time of year, Sen proudly says he has harvested about 3,500 kg in almost a month since the season began. By the end of the following month, he hopes to collect another 2,000 kg. Comparatively, in prior years, when he was not using CREL techniques, his entire annual crop yielded 2,000 - 3,000 kg total. “I like this technique,” he says, grinning. “I thank CREL for giving me training, and in the future, I will use this technique for my livelihoods and my neighbors will too.” 
Winrock, VEGA honor volunteers for their service with programs around the world
 In April and May, the efforts of Winrock International volunteers were recognized and celebrated through two notable annual awards. Last month, in honor of National Volunteer Week, Winrock’s Volunteer Technical Assistance team issued Presidential Volunteer Service Awards to 108 volunteers who completed 100 or more service hours in 2013. David Pearce (pictured, at right) received the Presidential Lifetime Service Award, in honor of more than 4,000 cumulative hours volunteering with Winrock programs around the world.
The awards program was created as a way to thank and honor Americans who inspire others to volunteer and exemplify dedication to service. Winrock is one of many organizations certified to issue the awards.
On May 13, two Winrock volunteers were honored at the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) annual Volunteer Impact Service Awards event. Pearce was again honored, this time as an Honorable Mention for Volunteer of the Decade, and Anais Troadec received the VEGA Alliance Award. Both volunteers were selected for their commitment and achievements in volunteering. Together, Pearce and Troadec have completed 58 assignments with Winrock in 15 countries over the last two decades.
The VEGA event brought together volunteers, international development organizations, USAID, and others to celebrate the benefits and impacts of international volunteering. At the event, Eric Postel, USAID assistant administrator for the Bureau for Economic Growth, Education and the Environment, underscored the importance of volunteers, noting, “Right from the start of U.S. international development, volunteers have been at the forefront.”
Winrock is proud to have two volunteers recognized at this event.
Most Winrock volunteers complete assignments abroad through the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program, which provides voluntary technical assistance to farmers, farm groups, agribusinesses, and NGOs in developing countries to promote sustainable improvements in food security and agricultural development. Get more information on Winrock's current volunteer opportunities. 
Clean energy program promotes energy efficiency in Vietnam’s building sector
 USAID and Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction (MOC) launched a technical assistance and training program this month to promote energy efficiency in Vietnam’s building sector. The program, which will be implemented by Winrock International, kicked off with a launch event in Hanoi led by Vice Minister Phan Thi My Linh of MOC and Acting Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator Jason Foley of USAID.
The goal of the USAID Vietnam Clean Energy Program is to support the country’s sustainable growth by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient usage of electricity in the building sector.
“Vietnam’s aspirations for green growth depend on more efficient uses of electricity, which lower costs for consumers, facilitate innovation, and lessen Vietnam’s need for fossil fuel-burning electricity production,” said USAID Vietnam Mission Director Joakim Parker.
The USAID Vietnam Clean Energy Program will provide technical assistance and training to officials and other stakeholders in the building sector. This technical assistance will enhance their capacity to manage, analyze and use building energy data, establish a database on building energy efficiency, and implement the Vietnam Building Energy Efficiency Code, which is in line with Vietnam’s Green Growth Action Plan for the building sector. USAID assistance will be coordinated with MOC and provincial departments of construction in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Nghe An and Thanh Hoa, as well as with universities and institutions, and building developers.
The launch event included representatives from various ministries, central and provincial government agencies, professional associations, the private sector and media agencies. Private sector representatives joined a panel discussion on how to promote energy efficient technologies and possible market incentives for energy efficiency and green buildings — providing recommendations on access to financing for building construction that meets energy saving standards. |
