Cacao Travels: Grenada and the Dominican Republic, Part 1 (overview)

In January-February 2012, I spent one month exploring cacao farming, processing and trade in Grenada and the Dominican Republic. It was a fantastic experience that enriched me personally and professionally in many ways. I’ll be posting a series of blogs, starting with an overview of the trip and its purpose.

My primary goals were to deepen my understanding of what it takes to get cacao from tree to the point of sale, market dynamics, how certifications are manifested at the producer level, how small-scale producers can engage in value-added processing and the everyday lives of farming communities, and make connections in the field. I sought this knowledge to inform my intended graduate studies and subsequent work in international agricultural development, to ensure my work would be shaped by the communities I want to benefit. Though I’d developed strong working knowledge visiting cacao producers in Nicaragua and Ecuador on shorter, organized trips, and coordinating speaking tours with fair trade producer representatives, I wanted to immerse myself in a richer experience to build on that. Practicing Spanish was also a goal, given its wide use in the cocoa sector.

My week in Grenada found me knee deep in cacao—literally. I stayed on an organic cacao farm in Northwest Grenada named Crayfish Bay. It’s run by Kim Russell, a proud Grenadian citizen from the UK who visited, fell in love with the island nation and purchased an overgrown, hurricane-stricken cacao estate that he’s rehabilitating with great dedication and effort—and a terrific crew of workers and other helping hands. Kim’s farm, Crayfish Bay, has a cottage for travelers and welcomes guests to get involved in the farms activities. His cacao is wonderful, and is used by the Grenada Chocolate Company, as he’s part of a grower’s co-op that owns part of the company and produces cacao for it. I helped ferment and dry cacao, make cocoa rolls (for cocoa tea, essentially pure hot chocolate…love them), clear ground weeds in the cocoa forest, and make bread and baked goods. I also had time for great runs along the ocean and visited a new cacao processing plant, a chocolate factory, a large cacao estate, a nutmeg processing plant and other sites.

After that, I spent three weeks in the Dominican Republic, which has become a leader in the global market for organic cacao, has several well-develop cooperatives and processing operations, and has focused diligently on implementing farming and post-harvest systems to optimize cacao quality. During the first week, I stayed in Santo Domingo, in Hostal Nomadás, a small guesthouse-type lodging in the Colonial Zone owned by a local couple. This served a base to visit cacao farms, cooperatives (CONACADO and FUNDOP), post-harvest processing centers (YACAO and CONACADO), social projects funded by cooperatives and cacao buyers, and government development projects in the country’s northern and southern cacao regions, as well as CONACADO’s processing facility (liquor, butter, powder) and the IDIAF cacao research farm in the north. I also met with representatives from CONACADO, USAID’s REDDOM project, IDDI (a development agency) and Cortés (a Dominican chocolate company), and explored the city. It’s the oldest city in the Americas, which is rich with historical buildings, sites and museums, as well as vibrant music, art and culture. (Note on certifications: Both CONACADO and FUNDOP produce FairTrade, organic and Utz Certified) CONACADO also produces Rainforest Alliance and Biodynamic.)

During my second week in the DR, I stayed in Monción, located northwest of Santo Domingo and west of Santiago (two hours by bus/guagua). I stayed at Casa de las Anas, a fabulous homestay-type lodging with all meals included, and many options for day trips and other activities. It’s owned by Americans and operated by Ana Julia, a Dominican who is a wonderful cook and hostess. My purposes for this week were to develop my Spanish conversation skills and experience life in a small town. Monción is also a center for yuca growing and cassaba (bread) production. I took a day trip to Santiago and explored the vicinity through many walks through town, and daily runs and walks past cattle and cassava fields, cassava industry supply and warehouses, and a expansive lake created by a hydroelectric dam. This was a great week and I highly recommend Casa de las Anas for anyone who wants to experience real life in the Dominican Republic and engage in travel that truly benefits local communities.

In my third week, I traveled east to Hato Mayor El Rey and Los Botados (outside El Siebo) to visit more of the CONACADO cooperative’s farms and facilities, and stayed in a producer community. I began the week by visiting CONACADO’s collection/post-harvest processing center and a farm near Hato Mayor el Rey, as well as an affiliated women’s association, Esperanzas Unidas, that makes cacao jam, cacao wine, and cocoa balls for drinking chocolate (all so good!), and is beginning to make confections for sale in tourist markets. Then, I spent four days in Los Botados, a rural community with many cacao producers, staying in a cottage operated by a women’s group affiliated with CONACADO. (They also provide Dominican breakfast and dinner as an optional add-on.) The women also oversee the “Tour de Chocolate” tours that take visitors through the steps of cacao farming and processing, and I was able to join a group for part of that (including the women’s delicious cooking).

This was the perfect way to end my trip—getting to know cacao producers, talking long walks past cacao and banana/plantain farms, ranches and living simply in a stunning natural environment. The week was a great learning experience, and both relaxing and inspiring for my future work. It was also wonderful to stay in lodging and take part in activities that directly benefitted rural communities (unlike much of the tourism in the DR, unfortunately), and that were themselves supported, in part, by CONACADO’s cacao revenues. I returned to Santo Domingo for two days prior to flying out, and enjoyed a great bon voyage thanks to Abel Fernandez, CONACADO’s export manager, who invited me to lunch on the coast near Boca Chica, just east of the city.

Subsequent blogs will delve a bit more into these experiences…stay tuned.

Local & Sustainable Food Recipe: Farmers Market Carrot-Cardamom Muffins

The abundance of delicious, sweet, early spring carrots inspired a batch of seasonal, early spring muffins. As always, go organic to support human and environmental health, use as many local ingredients as possible to support neighboring farms, build local economies, preserve farmland and maximum flavor….and use bulk ingredients to cut costs and eliminate packaging waste.

Farmers Market Carrot Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 cup organic whole wheat flour
• 2 cup organic white flour
• 1 1/2 cups unrefined cane sugar or SweetTree Coconut Palm sugar – OR reduce to 1 ¼ cups sugar if using honey (below)
• 2 tsp to 1 Tbl cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbl baking powder

• 2 organic free-range eggs
• 2 cups grated organic carrots
• 2 teaspoons organic vanilla
• ¾ to 1 cup tap water (use ¾ if using honey)
• 5/8 cup organic oil (canola, olive, etc.)
• ¼ cup honey (optional)

• organic rolled oats and extra sugar to sprinkle on top

Directions

• Grease 18-24 muffin cups or other desired baking pan (recipe makes 6 cups of batter)

• Mix dry ingredients (flour through baking powder)
• Beat eggs in separate bowl
• Preheat oven to 350 F (save energy by not preheating unnecessarily early)
• Grate carrot into eggs and blend in vanilla and water
• Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients, add oil and honey (if using), and blend until mixed (You can add oil and honey to the egg mixture before adding to the dry ingredients but clean up is easier if you add the honey and oil to the dry-wet mix using a ¼ cup measure, then use that to put batter in the pans.)
• Pour into muffin cups, filling 2/3 full (or pour into other baking pan accordingly)
• Sprinkle with organic rolled oats and sugar
• Bake 20-25 min at 350 degrees F (bake longer for a loaf pan, etc.), or until knife inserted into center comes clean

Local & Sustainable Food Recipe: Corn Honey Muffins

Musing about muffins made with as many locally grown food ingredients as possible in the winter, I whipped these up. Our local co-op sells local flour and honey, and regionally-grown cornmeal, canola oil and milk, and local eggs and are readily available year round (though chickens slow down during a well-deserved winter vacation). Where olive oil is more of local/regional item, it would add a nice flavor variation, and would be excellent for a savory version.

To maximize the goodness:

• go organic – better for human and environmental health
• use as many local ingredients as possible – maximize flavor, support neighboring farms & local economies, preserve farmland
• use bulk ingredients – save money and eliminate packaging waste

Corn Honey Muffins

 Ingredients 

• 1 ½ cup organic cornmeal
• 1 ¾ cup organic flour (2:1 white-wheat ratio works well)
• ½ to 3/4 cup unrefined sugar or coconut palm sugar ( I used a blend of Big Tree Farms Heritage ginger and SweetTree vanilla coconut palm sugars) (use ¾ cup if you want sweeter muffins)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbl baking powder

• 2 organic, free range eggs
• 1 1/4 c organic milk or tap water
• 3/4 cup organic canola oil
• 3/8 cup favorite local, organic honey or Big Tree Farms honey (cinnamon, vanilla, jungle, etc.)

Directions

• Mix dry ingredients (cornmeal through baking powder)
• Preheat oven to 350 F (save energy by not preheating unnecessarily early)
• Beat eggs in separate bowl and mix in 1 cup milk or water
• Pour egg mixture into dry ingredients, add honey and oil, and blend until mixed (You can add oil and honey to the egg mixture before adding to the dry ingredients but clean up is easier if you add the honey and oil to the dry ingredients using a ¼ cup measure, then use that to put batter in the pans.)
• Gently mix in extra water or milk if needed (depends on grind of cornmeal)
• Pour into muffin cups, filling 2/3 full (or pour into other baking pan accordingly)
• Sprinkle with organic rolled oats and sugar
• Bake 20-25 min at 350 degrees F (bake longer for a loaf pan, etc.), or until knife inserted into center comes clean

Gifts With a Repurpose: Creative, low cost, meaningful, more sustainable presents

Holiday gift giving has spiraled to incredible levels, taxing our time, bank accounts and the environment.

A few years ago, I started giving and asking for charitable donations in lieu of gifts, and my family has been good sports about it. (Check out the Center for a New America Dream’s excellent “Simplify the Holidays” campaign for ideas & inspiration to create a simpler, more meaningful celebration that gives more in every way.)

It’s still fun to exchange meaningful physical gifts, though. Repurposing things we don’t need, or that would become trash, into unique, useful presents is a great way to do this in a way that’s positive all around.

As a gift to creative, repurposeful, resourceful readers looking for ideas for sustainable, low cost/free, DIY presents, here are a few of my favorite creations for inspiration. (Notes: More photos here. More info/photos for the dress, made for my niece from a shirt her mom/my sister made me, here.)

Wrap it up in style, too…

Color comics and newspaper with content of interest are great for wrapping. You can also make a simple reusable bag to wrap items, encouraging reuse and resource conservation year round.

Non-recyclable paper-foil chocolate bar wrappers are perfect for decorations, like origami birds, snowflakes or stars, and you can get creative with non-recyclable packaging too (on the right: Bow/tag made from Kettle packaging I fished out of recipient’s trash and rinsed off.). Conifer cones and branch segments are always nice for an elegant, seasonal touch.

Tips for working with plastic films (like food packaging)

• Make the material stronger by fusing the layers. Iron between two paper shopping bags and iron on low heat for 5-10 seconds, moving the iron back and forth. Test after a few seconds and iron more if needed
• Sew pieces together by overlapping the edges and using a zig-zag stitch. A straight stitch will perforate the material

 

Collaborative Op-Ed: Let’s take back our democracy and reclaim the American Dream

Collaborative Op-Ed, written with John Flynn and placed in the Mail Tribune. This is a revision of a related blog, and focuses on simple yet powerful things we can (and must) do now to confront the issues that have motivated Occupy Wall Street and caused financial, social and environmental distress across the nation. We face challenges but also many opportunities to makes changes in our lives that will add up to real change if made collectively. So, get marching and share this with friends, too

Let’s take back our democracy and reclaim the American Dream

October 25, 2011

By John Flynn and Melissa Schweisguth

Occupy Wall Street has taken hold across America, from New York to the Rogue Valley. This diverse grassroots movement is demanding an end to the “monied corruption of democracy” that has put Americans, our economy and the planet in dire straits.

Some may not grasp its meaning and dismiss it, since the complexity of the underlying issues manifests itself through diverse forms and opinions. Others might feel it’s too removed from our daily lives or formidable to address.

Yet, Wall Street and other corporate influences have entrenched themselves our lives and communities, leaving us with the short end of the stick. Thankfully, there are lots of simple, yet powerful ways we can — and must — act to ensure we can achieve the American Dream of building a more equitable, prosperous and viable future and maintain a true democracy of the people, for the people and by the people.

Complacency enables injustice. Action creates jobs, boosts our economy, builds community, saves money, helps the planet and empowers us.

1. Get informed and engage in independent and community-owned media, and occupywallstreet.org.

2. Attend local events supporting Occupy Wall Street to learn, connect and make our voices heard.

3. Get active in politics to reduce corporate influence. Let elected officials know our thoughts on current issues, volunteer on campaigns and run for office.

4. Move our money and credit cards to locally owned and operated banks. Statistics show locally owned banks invest more in their communities and small businesses than corporate banks. The Rogue Valley has several such institutions. Rogue Federal Credit Union also offers its own credit card.

5. Shift investments to responsible options, including socially responsible funds, community development funds, social finance and independent businesses (for more information, see greenamerica.org).

6. Share our skills and surplus, and trade, barter and buy used for things we need. Check out the Southern Oregon Time Bank, second-hand stores and craigslist.

7. Choose locally produced items and services from independent local businesses to keep our money, jobs and hard-working neighbors in our community. For nonlocal goods, choose items made by independent, responsible businesses, including co-ops, union shops, Green America members and organic and fair-trade producers. Food is an easy and powerful way to start since we all eat, our area has lots of family farmers, and the Growers Markets, Rogue Valley Local Foods and Siskiyou Sustainable Co-op accept SNAP/Oregon Trail. With our valley’s population, Growers Market vendors should end the day with empty tables instead of taking half their produce back to their farms. (Info: thriveoregon.org)

Now is the time to build the future we want. Solutions are at hand.

Let’s get marching.

John Flynn is an Ashlander and returned Peace Corps Volunteer currently working in Mongolia on human rights protection and promotion of democratic governance.

Melissa Schweisguth of Ashland has been working to advance social, environmental and economic responsibility among consumers and businesses through nonprofit and business roles.

Ten Ways to Get Wall Street’s Influence Out of Our Lives, Communities & Government

Co-Written with John Flynn, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who’s currently working for the Project to Combat Human Trafficking in Mongolia, and who’s a well-versed thinker and organizer around these issues.

Three years after Obama took office on a wave of “change we can believe in,” things have sure changed, but not necessarily for the better. The multi billion-dollar stimulus package hasn’t been able to shake the economic downturn or double-digit unemployment. The financial bailout hasn’t yielded much success either. Indeed, institutions like Bank of America are slashing jobs while nickel-and-dime-ing the cash strapped Americans whose taxes propped them up by levying fees for accounts and debit card use. Whether Obama’s American Jobs Act will pass, and whether it will meet its goals without unintended negative tradeoffs if so, is TBD. Meanwhile, the amount of corporate money driving candidates, elected officials and policy decisions is now unlimited as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United vs. the Federal Elections Committee.

In the wake of this, Occupy Wall Street was born. This diverse movement is demanding an end to the “monied corruption of democracy” that engenders unsustainability for people, planet and economies. Given the lack of coverage by mainstream (corporate owned) media, the complexity of the issues and the physical distance separating many of us from the protests, we’re not receiving balanced coverage of the movement and may feel hopeless, overwhelmed or detached and tune out if we do. This does no good for ourselves or anyone. We need to take back the power and de-occupy our own lives and communities of undue, unsustainable influence by those who don’t take our best interests into consideration. There are numerous things we can do wherever we are, many simple yet highly effective. Get marching…

1. Get informed through Occupy Wall Street (twitter) and independent, non-corporate sponsored media such as community owned media, LinkTv, Democracy Now , Truthout, The Real News, Guardian (UK) and Al Jazeera. At the same time, balance mainstream media by writing a letter to the editor of your local paper stating why you support Occupy Wall Street’s movement to put power back in the hands of the people, and why others should get involved.

2. Play an active role in politics to reduce the need for corporate funding and its influence. Democracy isn’t just a right, it’s a responsibility – 365 days of the year, not just election day. Let elected officials know your thoughts on pending bills and decisions, and critical issues, and volunteer on campaigns.

3. Join the “virtual march” supporting Occupy Wall Street, participate in allied activities near you and/or organize locally. We need to get off the couch if we’re going to drive the change we want to see, right now.

4. Move your money to a locally owned and operated bank. Look for a credit union or community lending institution, which are community oriented in their policies and investments.

5. Switch to a credit card run by a locally owned and operated bank, or at least an independent regional one. Many credit unions offer credit cards. Salmon Nation and Green America work through OnePacific, a regional bank in California. And, don’t use credit or debit cards unless absolutely necessary. Regardless of what bank issues a card, processors (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) levy fees on retailers – driving up costs for us and routing money to big financial institutions elsewhere.

6. Shift your investments to socially responsible options. Most socially responsible mutual funds are comprised mainly of large corporations, though they screen out those with negative practices and use shareholder action to improve companies in their portfolios. As a Wall-Street-free alternate, consider community development funds, social finance lenders and independent businesses with public stock.

7. When you need goods or services, trade, barter and buy used first. Save money, build community and reduce your environmental footprint. Check out craigslist, freecycle, etc. to give and get useful things free. Share books, tools and other things you don’t need all the time. Trade services like childcare and yard work. Shop at yard sales and thrift stores.

8. Choose local independent local businesses when you need goods and services. Food is an easy and powerful way to start since we all eat a lot and it’s the height of the harvest season. For extra points and better eating year round, can, freeze and dehydrate local bounty to enjoy later. Buying local keeps your money, and neighbors who own and work at independent local businesses, in your community while saving fuel and pollution.

9. Choose goods from independent, responsible businesses at local stores when you can’t get locally made . Look for worker-owned co-ops, members of B Corp and Green America, companies engaged in ethical trade and organics, etc.

10. Keep thinking of new ways to bring more power to the people, and share ideas with others.

Media Coverage on ACDI/VOCA volunteer placement in Jordan

The Mail Tribune and Daily Tidings ran articles on my volunteer placement in Jordan through ACDI/VOCA. Mail Tribune piece below.

Ashland woman helps Jordanian farmers
It’s a lesson in marketing and the possibility for growth

 September 13, 2011
By John Darling (online version)

An Ashland woman recently spent three weeks in Jordan helping an agricultural association market food and other crops in an effort to improve its balance of trade and the lives of farmers. Using her Internet, writing and website skills, Melissa Schweisguth assisted the nonprofit Jordan Exporters and Producers Association for Fruit and Vegetables in improving its website to build financial self-sufficiency and broader markets. Schweisguth, who got a mention in Time magazine in 2009 for not producing one bit of trash since 2006, continued that practice on her trip, though she had to bring some packing west with her before she could find recycling bins, she said.

She went to Jordan as a volunteer with ACDI/VOCA — Agricultural Cooperative Development International and Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance, two organizations started as part of U.S. foreign aid in the 1960s. “I was advising and working with Jordanians to evaluate and improve their website content and navigation and make it more user-friendly for marketing and promotion,” said Schweisguth. She noted that Jordan is working to become more competitive in European Union markets when crops there are out of season but still can be grown in warmer Jordan — at prices twice what they fetch in the Middle East.

“It was a great experience, always great to learn a different side of sustainability and how to sell new products, while learning a different culture,” said Schweisguth, noting that social equity is part of sustainability — and comes in part from being able to get fair market prices. In addition, she helped research market development and recommended the exporters and producers designate farms and products that are organic because of the great demand for organic food in Europe, she said. Most Jordanians speak English well, and she augmented her communication skills by using Mango Languages for Arabic online from the Jackson County Library System website.

Patrick Tracy, a recruiter with ACDI/VOCA, said the organization seeks mid- to late-career professionals in agri-business, farms, land grant universities, cooperatives, private businesses and nonprofits to volunteer in developing countries. They are funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development Farmer to Farmer Program and focus on entrepreneur development, food security, financial services and agribusiness, he said.

Despite the so-called “Arab Spring” uprisings, Schweisguth said Amman, the capital where she worked, was peaceful and felt secure, to the point that she ran daily around the city. But mostly she was busy working. “Any given work day might find me evaluating JEPA’s website and those of comparative organizations, exploring the website administrative back-end, researching issues and resources such as market requirements and trends, and outlining recommendations aligned with the Scope of Work,” she said on her blog.

To read her blog and see a photo gallery of her Jordan trip, go to www.mailtribune.com/jordanvolunteer.