farmers Archives

Presbyterians urge support of Fair Trade as a matter of faith

Posted May 11th, 2018

Small businesses around the world will be observing World Fair Trade Day this Saturday, a commemoration by the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) to recognize fair trade successes, responsible production practices and the economic impact of small businesses on communities.

Mangos help Madagascar farmers rise from poverty

Posted March 26th, 2018

Mangos taste so good that many consider them the world’s best fruit. But they have more qualities than flavor alone. The mango is one of the few tropical fruits that grows well on low-fertility soils and where there is a long dry season. Mangos are sold in local markets throughout the tropical world but can also be processed into dried fruit, drinks, pickles and chutney. Mango wood burns well and makes good charcoal.

The road to Chasefu

Posted October 10th, 2017

In Zambia, most people are farmers, regardless of whether they have another profession — and this includes pastors. For the majority, the thought of zinja, or hunger season, is never far away. Many people in Zambia are smallholder, or subsistence, farmers who grow the staple crop, maize (corn), with which the mainstay of the Zambian diet, nshima, is prepared.

Advocates gather around threats to family farmers and other Iowans

Posted July 14th, 2017

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) hosts its annual convention tomorrow and expects nearly 1,000 people from across the state to share concerns facing family farms. CCI was organized in 1975 when a handful of clergy began working on housing, crime and safety, and other urban concerns. When the 1980s Farm Crisis hit, they expanded the work throughout rural Iowa to support farmers by helping them obtain nearly $37 million in desperately needed credit. The Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP) supported that work financially for a number of years.

Hurricane-ravaged Haiti still reeling months after Matthew

Posted July 11th, 2017

Anyone doubting whether climate change exists should pay a visit to Haiti. That’s the assessment from Valery Nodem, the Presbyterian Hunger Program’s international associate, who recently visited the country, nearly eight months after Hurricane Matthew.

Presbyterian fair-trade delegation in Nicaragua

Posted April 19th, 2017

A group of Presbyterians got some hands-on experience in coffee farming during a recent trip to Nicaragua. The 11-member delegation, which included staff from the Presbyterian Hunger Program (PHP), World Mission and Equal Exchange, spent a week learning about fair trade and how the coffee is grown, processed and shipped to other countries.

PC(USA) mission co-workers visit the Presbyterian Church of Venezuela

Posted January 23rd, 2017

Being faithful in a polarized context February 9, 2017 “Why do you go to church?” we asked. “Because we believe in God,” said one. “To hear the Word,” offered another…. Read more »

Latin America and the Caribbean

Posted June 2nd, 2016

Mission co-workers share God’s love through multifaceted ministries For PC(USA) mission co-workers in Latin America and the Caribbean, doing the work of the Lord can mean serving in many ways. A few examples: