Improving Forests Around the Globe

Forests play important parts in our everyday lives and can help combat climate change and biodiversity loss. Travel with us to Kenya and Finland to learn about forestry and how it is improving the environment and economic conditions in each respective country. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations with others around the globe!

State of the World's Forests 2022

Discussion Points

• Explain the three pathways that conserve and support recovery of forests shared by the FAO. Is one pathway more important than others? Share your reasonings. 
• Discuss the stories of forestry in Kenya. What surprised you the most and why?
• Explain what CLT is from Finland. What are the benefits of CLT? 
• What does forestry management look like in your home area? How does forestry management in your home area compare to Kenya, Finland, and other places around the globe?

Forests and Food Security

Forests play a vital role in food security and nutrition around the globe. Linked below is a video that explores the impact of forests on food security and nutrition along with the interaction between traditional production agriculture and forestry. We encourage you to watch the linked video and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms and communities! When we travel abroad with students and farmers this is often a topic of discussion.

Sustainable Forestry for Food Security and Nutrition

Discussion Points

• Why are forests so important to food security and nutrition?
• Of the many benefits that forests provide for food security and nutrition which do you feel is the most important and why?
• Many facts were shared in the video. Which fact surprised you the most (or did you find most interesting) and why?
• Towards the end of the video integrating production agriculture and forestry was stressed. Do some additional research and find how this is being done around the globe. Share your findings with others. 

Cacao: Agroforestry versus Monoculture

A recent study conducted in Bolivia explored the production and economics of cacao. While they took yield into consideration they also looked at profitability and nutrition health of the farmers and their families. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms, coffee shops, and communities around the world!

Cacao Agroforestry Systems Increase Farmers' Income

Discussion Points

• Explain the two production practices of agroforestry and monoculture systems.
• Briefly discuss cacao production trends over the past couple years and where it is grown around the world.
• This study found that even though cacao yields decreased in agroforestry systems when compared to monoculture systems overall agroforestry systems achieved higher profits and better nutrition for the farmers and their families. How can this be explained?
• This study looked at conventional versus organic cacao production as well. Discuss the findings in this area.
• What is your major takeaway from this study and why?

Level Z Roads

After a short night in the Miami airport we boarded our final flight to Port au Prince, Haiti. We arrived on schedule to Haiti, but long lines awaited us in immigration. After grabbing our luggage we loaded up the van and started the three hour trek north to the Caiman area. From Port au Prince to Caiman we travel on National Highway 3. This highway is paved 3/4 of the way to Caiman, but the last 1/4 is a little rough. As our host JeanJean states, "In Iowa you have level B roads. In Haiti we have level Z roads!"

Haiti countryside 

After arriving in Caiman we enjoyed lunch mid-afternoon before receiving a tour of campus from Kristie. She shared the incredible story of UCI and how it has grown from nothing to what it is today. Today they have nutrition centers, a preschool, a elementary, church, and the university (I am sure there is much more that I am missing). We were able to see many of the agriculture projects on campus from demonstration gardens in agroforestry, grafting of citrus trees, tree nursery, and the papaya garden. 

UCCC Campus

After our tour many enjoyed a friendly volleyball match with locals before enjoying a delicious dinner of chicken, rice, beans, red sauce, and plantains. As this is posted we are sitting under the tree outside our dorm visiting about the challenges and opportunities facing Haitian agriculture. We look forward to a great Sunday in Haiti tomorrow!