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April 2015

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Small villages in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, in one of the most remote stretches of Indonesia, have gone from total fossil-fuel dependence to using solar energy for their everyday needs. Read more in this story from The Jakarta Globe. For further reading, check out this editorial from The Globe.

With funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Winrock-implemented Action to Reduce Child Labor (ARCH) project donates school furniture and uniforms to the Ministry of Education in Liberia. Read more at allAfrica.

The "Safe Foods from Safe Farms" market is now open in Yangon, Myanmar, on Saturday afternoons. The work of Winrock International Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers specializing in organics, including Ricky Bates and Charles Mitchell, helped generate momentum and shape plans for the new market, which is supported by the Myanmar Organic Grower and Producer Association.

In partnership with The National University of Laos, the USAID Lowering Emissions in Asia’s Forest project launched the new Climate Change Curriculum in Laos this month. The launch follows similar launches in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. Read more.

In April, Winrock honored 73 volunteers with the 2014 Presidential Service Award: six volunteers achieved the gold award, for more than 500 hours of service; four volunteers were silver award winners, for more than 250 hours of service; and 63 volunteers earned the bronze award, for at least 100 hours. Read more.

Learn about some interesting crop insurance options now available to farmers, and how to decide what option is best for your farm. Register for this free National Good Food Network webinar on May 14: "Crop Insurance for Small Farms: A Crash Course."

Fruit and vegetable producers in Balochistan are now able to reach their markets with less spoilage, resulting in greater profits, because of an increase in cold storages units, thanks to the USDA-funded Pakistan Agriculture and Cold Chain Development (PACCD) project. Read more.

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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 Winrock volunteers, staff share knowledge, explore opportunities with Cuban farmers
Winrock volunteers with a Cuban farmer.Staff and volunteers from Winrock International met face-to-face with Cuban farmers in March, as part of the first Winrock-sponsored volunteer exchange in Cuba. With warming relations between the United States and Cuba as a promising backdrop, Winrock’s first assignment in Cuba focused on assessing needs and opportunities for exchange in the area of agriculture.

“Winrock is delighted to be part of the dialogue about improving relationships between Cuba and the United States,” said Rodney Ferguson, president and CEO of Winrock. “We both have much to gain from that dialogue, and much to learn from each other.“

Winrock’s team met with several farmers, cooperatives and other organizations that support Cuba’s vibrant agricultural sector. Discussions reaffirmed that American volunteers can help close knowledge gaps that exist within agricultural sectors; while Cuban farmers have unique perspectives and methods to enhance farming practices beyond the country’s borders.

“Winrock's resources and professional capacity have much to offer in support of Cuba's agricultural self-sufficiency,” said Winrock volunteer Mimi Arnstein, owner of Wellspring Farm in Marshfield, Vt. “It was exciting to be involved on the ground floor to assess several potential projects and meet many Cuban partners, both farmers and technicians alike.”

Read more.

Winrock names Christopher 'Kiff' Gallagher, Jr. as Vice President, External Affairs
Kiff GallagherWinrock International announced this month that Christopher (Kiff) Gallagher, Jr. has been named the organization’s new Vice President of External Affairs. Gallagher will oversee and manage all of Winrock’s global marketing, branding and communications, and will supervise Winrock’s New Business Services group.

Gallagher joins Winrock after a successful career as a social entrepreneur, communications strategist, political advisor, and policy and program development specialist. Most recently, Gallagher worked as a consultant, advising clients on strategic communications, social impact and business development. He has worked with national and international organizations, such as CARE and the Gates Foundation, as well as multi-national corporations and Silicon Valley start-ups.

Previously, Gallagher served as founder and CEO of MusicianCorps, Executive Director of Social Venture Network, Director of Strategic Communications at Odwalla, Inc., and on the White House legislative team that created the national service program, AmeriCorps.

“We are fortunate to have such an accomplished professional in the role of Vice President of External Affairs,” said Rodney Ferguson, Winrock President and CEO. “Kiff brings a tremendous energy and new perspectives to our new business and communications team.”

Gallagher says he is excited about joining Winrock and the new challenges it brings: “I’m thrilled to join Winrock’s executive team; and work closely with our experts and partners to improve lives worldwide,” he said.

Read more.

Forums instrumental in increasing investment in renewable energy in Macedonia
Stakeholder forumIn March, the USAID-funded Clean Energy Investment project (CEI), in cooperation with the Association of Renewable Energy Producers and International Finance Corporation Balkan Renewable Energy Program hosted the fifth quarterly Renewable Energy Stakeholders’ Forum in Skopje, Macedonia. Presentations and discussions focused on legal and practical improvements to renewable energy investment procedures, and the potential for investment in photo-voltaic panels on rooftops, without utilizing a feed-in-tariff.

“The forums are a much-needed mechanism for public-private dialogue among renewable energy project developers, investors, local associations, representatives of government ministries and agencies, and the donor community,” said USAID Mission Director James Stein. “They provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to ask questions about issues they encounter in the investment process, propose solutions to various obstacles, and share ideas for future actions.”

Many laws and procedures within the renewable energy investment cycle have been amended as a result of stakeholder forum discussions and follow-up activities — most notably, the recently adopted new laws on Construction Land and Urban and Spatial Planning, which, along with the previously amended Grid Code, will help reduce the investment cycle by as much as 12 months.

Read more.
 
       


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