Our Programs
Tree Planting
Trees are planted on private, rented, and sharecropped land as part of an agroforestry approach that combines tree planting with farming. Trees are planted as living fences, orchards, contour planting for slope stabilization, and for land reclamation. There are community-managed reforested plots being established, and trees get planted around public buildings and along roadsides. Impact highlights in 2023:
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1,615,130 trees were grown by SFA farmer members in nurseries and then transplanted and looked after.
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78% survival rate of trees within the first 6 months of being planted is considered very good.
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87 new orchards were created and planted with fruit trees for farmer members.
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508 hectares (1,255 acres) were planted and/or reforested.
Agricultural Services
Tree planting is how SFA members earn a range of services to improve their farming operations, resulting in increased yields and income. Impact highlights in 2023:
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14 new seed banks were established in which 50 to 90% of all seed in circulation was supplied by farmers.
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204 training sessions to improve farmer agricultural techniques, with some farm leaders trained to the level of an agricultural extension worker.
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63 farm groups were helped to restructure to become more effective farmer associations.
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465 farm animals (goats and cows) distributed and followed up by veterinary visit.
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7,000 agricultural hand tools distributed, including hoes and pick axes.
Redefining Sustainability
The entire SFA agroforestry operation is run on organic principles, but starting in 2022 we began to introduce regenerative and agroecological practices. We approach agroecology as an adaptation of regenerative agriculture that places greater emphasis on local indigenous knowledge, farmer involvement in adapting agricultural practices, and social equity. Impact highlights in 2023:
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10% of farms run by SFA members incorporate several practices that are common to both agroecology and regenerative agriculture.
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7,200 lbs of regenerative cotton was grown over two seasons that culminated with the harvest that was completed in January, 2024.
Microcredit Loans
In Haiti, as in many developing countries, women make up close to half the farming population but are largely unable to access financial services. The SFA loan program is exclusively for women farmers, and provides low-interest loans for agricultural purposes as well as in connection with off-farm small businesses that supplement farm incomes. Impact highlights in 2023:
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688 loans were provided to women smallholders to finance small side businesses and farm operations.
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US$508 (in local currency) was the average amount of the loans during 2023.
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100% repayment rate was maintained in 2023, as has been the case since the program started in 2011.
Environmental Education
A high percentage of Haiti's population is 14 or younger, compared to other countries in the region. Introducing environmental responsibility and the value of trees is critical if this young generation is to take a lead in recovery efforts in the years ahead. Impact highlights from 2023:
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350 students continued to take part in an environmental education pilot project that was launched in 2022.
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an environmental education booklet was developed for high school students and will be published in 2024.
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Tanama comic book by Haitian artist Thony Loui continued to be used as part of the education initiative. Check out the Tanama website at www.tanamaproject.org.
Green Corps
A major challenge for recent graduates from agronomy and veterinary schools in Haiti is getting a foothold in their respective sectors. This program places these graduates as interns with the SFA and other smallholder-focused NGOs, usually for a 10-month period. Impact highlights from 2023:
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10 graduates completed their internship and gained their first practical experience after earning degrees as agronomists or veterinarians.
Note: the intern in this photo is spraying biological insecticide made with hot peppers, ginger, garlic and onions.
