Community Education: A Key Ingredient for the Cultivation of Climate-Friendly Cocoa

Back from a trip to Ghana, the Rainforest Alliance’s climate program assistant Kassy Holmes shares how education and training is helping smallholder cocoa farmers understand and adapt to climate change.

In tropical countries like Ghana, smallholder farmers are on the frontlines of climate change. They are seeing firsthand the effects of changing weather patterns, including a heightened dry season and a shortened harmattan–a West African trade wind that brings dry, dusty air and cool temperatures to an otherwise sweltering region.

However, many communities lack access to climate change education—a vital tool to help them understand, mitigate and adapt to climate change. The Rainforest Alliance is working to change this with a comprehensive  project to educate and train cocoa farmers in Ghana’s Bia-Juabeso region.

Farmers from Asempanaye, Nkra, Breman, Eteso and Dominebo gather to learn about climate change during an education workshop facilitated by the Rainforest Alliance.

Since 2009, we have worked with 36 communities across 60,000 acres (24,000 hectares) of farmland in the Bia-Juabeso region, implementing sustainable agroforestry techniques that generate benefits for the community and the local and global climate.  To date, 1,259 farms have been Rainforest Alliance Certified against the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) Standards. These farms are also pursuing verification against the SAN Climate Module, which promotes practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase on-farm carbon sequestration and help farmers identify and adapt to a changing climate.

This work marks a huge milestone in the global cocoa market. Ghana’s cocoa farmers will be the first to undertake certified, climate-smart agricultural practices–bringing to market the world’s first climate-friendly cocoa. The cocoa will be distributed by Olam, an internationally recognized leader in processing and sourcing agricultural commodities.

Education and training that allows farmers to understand how climate change is meaningful and relevant to their everyday lives is a critical element of the Rainforest Alliance’s efforts in Ghana.  Building off of our previously developed climate change curriculum for students and teachers, we’ve sought to build the adaptive capacity of farmers through community training that takes into account local conditions and farmer perspectives.  This approach includes:

• Focusing on local climate change impacts
• Assessing the impacts of climate change on cocoa farming
• Discussing specific climate-smart practices that farmers can implement on their own, such as composting and protecting shade trees
• Using visuals, posters and local examples to reinforce scientific concepts
• Hosting workshops that accommodate farmers’ busy schedules
• Allowing ample time for discussion, debate and knowledge-sharing

By focusing on local conditions and the direct impact of climate change on farmers’ lives, these workshops help farmers to grasp the personal and global implications of climate change. This provides a foundation upon which to explain the science behind climate change and the contribution of local activities (like deforestation) to the problem.

Materials that focus on local climate impacts and local drivers of deforestation help farmers understand how climate change personally affects their communities and farms.

We’re already seeing some great examples of the ways that education can be used as a tool to empower farmers. I had the opportunity to attend a community workshop and witnessed farmers making commitments to educate their friends and families about climate change, and to do their part to help mitigate climate change by protecting shade trees and composting on their farms. These education efforts also serve as a way to reinforce the practices and concepts farmers implement by becoming Rainforest Alliance Certified, helping them better adapt to shifting climatic conditions.

In the coming months, the Rainforest Alliance will facilitate education workshops for dozens of lead farmers in Ghana who recently achieved certification. These farmers will then go on to hold workshops for hundreds of other farmers within their communities. Collectively, through increased education about climate change, community agroforestry and Rainforest Alliance certification, cocoa farmers in Bia-Juabeso will be equipped with the technical skills and knowledge needed to understand climate change, adapt to its impacts and cultivate continued, sustainable livelihoods.

Learn more about the Rainforest Alliance’s climate work with cocoa farmers in Ghana.

Our President Weighs in on “Women Leaders and Work From a Nonprofit Perspective”

Yesterday, our president Tensie Whelan took to the Huffington Post to weigh in on the unique challenges facing women in the workplace. Here, we’ve reprinted her thoughtful piece, which includes some great tips for women looking to rise to the top in a nonprofit setting.

Having listened to months of impassioned exchange following the Sandberg-Slaughter sallies on women and work, I have decided to speak up, as a woman and CEO of the Rainforest Alliance, a global nonprofit that works to transform natural resource based industries into sustainable enterprises.

It’s a daunting, demanding, and profoundly satisfying job. We work in 100 countries with more than two million producers and 6,000 companies. Over 12 years, I have spearheaded our growth from a $4 million to a $50 million organization. Today, 12 percent of the tea, 10 percent of the cocoa and 10 percent of the forestry industry function sustainably, thanks to our collaborative approach.

But it is a man’s world. Whether for-profit or non-profit, almost all of my peers are men.

Some of the debate has centered on “male” vs. “female” values and traits, with some asking why women should adopt stereotypically male traits in order to get ahead. I think that is the wrong question. I think there are real strengths in both “male” and “female” traits. We need to learn from the effective traits associated with the opposite gender, and incorporate them into our overall skill sets.

The Athena Doctrine, just released by survey master John Gerzema, demonstrates a strong global demand for more “feminine” traits in leadership to address today’s challenges: more focus on listening and learning, on win-win solutions, on loyalty to the team and long-term thinking.

So, assuming as a woman I have most of those traits covered, what have I learned about what else I need to get ahead?

1. Family Matters: My husband died in a car accident when I was 28 years old and three months pregnant. At the time, we were living in Costa Rica. I moved back to the States to be closer to family. My parents were there for me when I was growing up, even though they both worked full-time. They gave me love and respect; they helped me get my feet on the ground after a traumatic life event. We need to parent well in order to give our children the inner strength to compete and to succeed.

2. Find Work/Life Balance: When my daughter was young, I ran a small organization on 4/5ths salary. I worked five days a week, but took long vacations and days off in compensation. Throughout my career in leadership positions, I found flexible employers and was able to plan for softball games. But for many women, a proper work/life balance is not supported by their employers, which discourages them from pursuing leadership roles.

3. Build Your Constituency and Make Your Point: One concern I hear often: Men make themselves heard while women feel ignored and resentful when their contributions are adopted and reframed by men. Why? In my experience, women tend to tell illustrative stories rather than making concrete points or aligning with previous speakers. When you’re in a meeting, build constituencies. My strategy is to decide what I want ahead of time, listen to the group members make their points, then synthesize as many of their points as possible into mine.

4. Mentor Like a Man: A study by Catalyst, a nonprofit that promotes workplace opportunities for women, found that men are mentored better because they’re more likely to be sponsored. Their mentors do more than provide feedback; they use their influence to advocate on behalf of their mentees. I have been lucky to have some very talented young women work for me and after they have done their stint, I help them find the next job.

5. The Power of Self-Promotion: I pride myself on my efficiency and effectiveness. And my Rainforest Alliance colleagues, half of whom are women, perform their jobs with passion, integrity and even brilliance. But some seem less apt than the men to let anyone know about the great contributions they’re making. Researchers at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management found that men who boasted more about their accomplishments were selected as group leaders more often than women. While chest-pounding has long been the domain of the alpha male, women need to do more of it. As you may have noticed, I am doing my bit for the team right now.

Endangered Species Day

In honor of Endangered Species Day, we’ve put together a selection of photos highlighting our work with some of the world’s most incredible threatened species.

The Petén region of Guatemala is a population stronghold for jaguars, the only big cat species found in the Americas. To protect this important habitat, the Rainforest Alliance is working with local communities on the sustainable harvest of forest products and approaches to combating climate change. We are also teaching adults and children alike about the importance of conservation.

Sumatran orangutans live up in the trees, climbing from branch to branch and foraging for fruit and insects. They are found only on the island of Sumatra, where illegal logging and conversion of forestland to palm oil plantations has caused this critically endangered population to plummet to an estimated 6,600 individuals. The survival of the orangutan rests on forest conservation and sustainable production, which makes the Rainforest Alliance’s work in palm oil certification and carbon sequestration vitally important.

The great green macaw is an intelligent and vibrant bird that inhabits lowland tropical rainforests in Central and South America. Its population has dropped at an alarming rate due to deforestation and capture for the illegal pet trade. Conservationists are working hard to save this beautiful species, and are sharing valuable information with colleagues on our Eco-Index website.

In early 2013, a group of cinnamon farmers in Kerinci, Indonesia became the first in the world to earn Rainforest Alliance certification. Located on the island of Sumatra, Kerinci is an important center for global cinnamon production as well as the home of Indonesia’s highest volcano and one of the few remaining pockets of habitat for the critically endangered Sumatran tiger.

Many Neotropical migratory bird species are threatened by the loss of habitats along their transnational journeys. Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms and forests provide critically important habitat for Neotropical migratory birds, including this endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

All seven of the world’s sea turtle species are endangered. They are hunted by humans for their meat, eggs and beautiful shells and incidentally captured in commercial fishing equipment. Eco-conscious travelers in the Americas can get a glimpse of sea turtles and contribute to the conservation of their habitats by choosing one of the sustainable tourism businesses listed in our SustainableTrip.org directory.

In Uganda, rapid destruction of the mountain gorilla’s natural forest habitat has led to a severe drop in its population – fewer than 880 remain in the wild. The Rainforest Alliance is working with the Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda on an innovative tree-planting project that has to date added over 1.5 million native trees in critical conservation areas.

Leaves and Twigs: A Roundup of the Best Sustainability Stories on the Web

Join us for a rundown of the stories that captivated the conservation community last week. (Plus a few links that are just plain fun.)

“Bon Voyage, Migratory Birds!” US Fish and Wildlife Services

Every year, millions of birds travel thousands of miles. Do your part to help them on their way and wish them a safe journey.

“Bee Deaths May Have Reached a Crisis Point for Crops,” NPR

According to a new survey of America’s beekeepers, almost a third of the country’s honeybee colonies did not make it through the winter. That’s been the case, in fact, almost every year since the US Department of Agriculture began this annual survey, six years ago.

“Nicaragua Cloud Forests ‘Under Siege’ by Illegal Loggers,” BBC News

A famed rainforest in Nicaragua is under growing threat from illegal loggers, say  indigenous leaders. The Bosawas Biosphere Reserve is Central America’s largest tropical forest with clouds constantly drifting over the hilly terrain. But the Mayngna and Miskito people who live there say 30,000 hectares a year are being deforested by ‘colonists.’

“The Deadly Rise of Sea Levels, In One Simple Infographic,” Fast Company

If you’re skeptical about man-made climate change, the Union of Concerned Scientists wants you to know something: there’s no basis for your believe in science. The long-standing group, which counts more than 200,000 citizens and professionals as members, is as categorical as it can be. Global warming is happening, and our emissions are largely responsible.

“We Just Passed the Climate’s Grim Milestone,” Grist

Over the last couple weeks, scientists and environmentalists have been keeping a particularly close eye on the Hawaii-based monitoring station that tracks how much carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere, as the count tiptoed closer to a record-smashing 400 parts per million. Thursday, we finally got there: The daily mean concentration was higher than at any time in human history, NOAA reported.

“Tanzanian Elephants Could Be Extinct Within 7 Years, Offical Says,” All Africa

Tanzania’s jumbo elephant population could be wiped out in seven years if poaching continues at current rates, chairman of the parliamentary committee on land, environment and natural resources James Lembeli told the National Assembly on April 30th.

“Our Diversified Farm,” News from the Field          

Our farm here at the center is an integral part of the students’ experience. The field station has been here, in Atenas, since 1993 and since then our farm has grown to about 2.5 hectares. In 2011, the farm was recognized as a Rainforest Alliance Certified sustainable farm. With cows, pigs, chickens, a greenhouse, mango and orange groves, bananas, raised beds, and forested areas with trails, it is a lot of work to keep it all running.

“A Guided Tour of Costa Rica’s Manuel Antonio National Park,” Conde Nast Traveler

Wildlife is everywhere in Costa Rica, much like the phrase Pura Vida…Manual Antonio National Park, the smallest in Costa Rica’s extensive national park system, packs a huge wallop of biodiversity within its borders and is an ideal setting for viewing the country’s natural wonders.

“Leader of the Little Guys,” Fresh Cup Magazine

The [Rainforest Alliance] certification was attained by ADESC, an association of 74 farmers located in the Huehuetenango area of Guatemala. It’s a group of producers who farm on individual parcels of land that typically run about eight to 10 acres in size and who process their coffee by way of small wet mills on farm properties. The output is then combined and sold.

What stories captivated you last week? Tell us in the comments!

Q&A with an Expert: How Can We Improve Financing for Forward-Thinking Farmers?

Smallholder farmers in developing countries can see that adopting sustainable best practices and earning Rainforest Alliance certification will lead to benefits like higher prices, increased efficiency and access to stronger markets. However, the financial investment that certification entails can pose a significant obstacle for farmers with limited access to financing. The Rainforest Alliance’s sustainable finance program aims to address this challenge by helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access funding from financial institutions. The program is currently focused on sustainable agriculture and forestry, but will eventually expand to address the needs of tourism businesses. We spoke with Michelle Buckles, the Rainforest Alliance’s director of sustainable finance about her vision for a global financing strategy that will greatly increase the number of SMEs that are able to conserve biodiversity, improve their livelihoods and achieve sustainability.

What problems faced by small and medium-sized enterprises is this project aiming to solve?

SMEs that hope to obtain certification may need to make a number of investments, such as increasing pay for workers, building waste management systems, improving worker safety and installing new technology to conserve water on their farms. Small cooperatives rarely have that kind of money sitting in the bank and need to borrow the capital to make these investments. It’s not easy for smallholder farmers to obtain loans by themselves, so by helping them access the financing they need, we hope to attract and retain producers in the Rainforest Alliance certification system and distinguish ourselves from other certification bodies.

The cornerstone to our approach is creating linkages between SMEs and potential finance providers. These include various types of financial institutions including social finance organizations like Root Capital and Oiko Credit, multinational financial institutions like the International Finance Corporation and the Inter-American Development Bank, commercial and local banks, and insurance providers. We are encouraging the financial community to consider sustainability in more of their activities and talking to them about which crops, countries and types of loans they’re interested in for their portfolios. We identify what types of financing groups need and what opportunities they’d be a good match for, depending on the lenders’ criteria, and then support groups during the application process.

Read the rest of the interview on the Rainforest Alliance’s Eco-Index blog.

4 Reasons to Pick Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Flowers

This Mother’s Day, celebrate your love for your mother (and Mother Earth) by giving Rainforest Alliance Certified™ flowers. These blooms are sure to brighten her day—and offer many more benefits for people, wildlife and the environment.

A worker gathers flowers for a bouquet on a Rainforest Alliance Certified flower farm in Colombia.

1. Certified flower and fern farms create sustainable jobs.  Ninety percent of the ferns and flowers imported by the US come from Latin America, where the growth of the floriculture industry has contributed to job creation. For example, sales of the smooth, dark green fern known as the “leather leaf” bring $52 million annually to Costa Rica, where fern farms employ 6,000 people at salaries above the rural average. On Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, workers earn decent wages and have access to health care, housing and education for their children.
2. Dangerous agrochemicals are prohibited on Rainforest Alliance Certified flower farms.  Flower and fern growers tend to use liberal doses of agrochemicals (on average, 50 different pesticides)—and because flowers are not food, governments employ much looser standards when regulating pesticide use. On Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, the Pesticide Action Network’s “dirty dozen” list of agrochemicals are prohibited and growers are encouraged to seek safe biological alternatives to traditional pesticides. For example, Plantas y Flores Ornamentales, a certified flower and fern producer in Costa Rica, uses innovative methods to minimize chemical use and protect the environment, including the use of organic compost and other biologically-derived methods.
3. Rainforest Alliance Certified flower farms are good neighbors to wildlife.  Hunting is prohibited on Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, and growers must take measures to protect local wildlife—creating biological corridors and leaving trees standing to provide on-farm  habitat.
4. When you buy certified flowers, you’re voting with your dollars. Every time you choose a product, like Rainforest Alliance Certified flowers, that has been grown and harvested with respect for communities and the environment, you are taking a stand for sustainability. You are showing companies that you care where the goods you buy come from—and that you want more options from sustainable farms and forests.

Ready to buy her a sustainable bouquet for Mother’s Day? Visit www.rainforest-alliance.org/shopthefrog to find Rainforest Alliance Certified flowers at a store near you.

 

Rainforest Alliance President Tensie Whelan Chats with “The GivLive Show”

Last week, Rainforest Alliance president Tensie Whelan had a lively conversation with John Cervenka on ”The GivLive Show.”

Watch the interview and discover how you can support the Rainforest Alliance’s work.