Brisas del Volcán
“Mists of the Volcano”
Santa Barbara, Honduras
Size: 117 acres
Population: 22 families
Founded: 2006
In August of 2005, an alliance was made with the NGO, Cultural Association of Honduran Peoples (ACPH), an organization that works with groups of families in the Santa Barbara region. ACPH proposed several communities to Agros International, but of all of the proposals only three met the conditions established. One of these was Brisas del Volcan.
This is the first time Agros has done any work in this area. Brisas del Volcán is 100 miles from the nearest Agros community (Nuevo Amanecer). The families have had training in growing food for consumption, conservation of resources, composting, organic agriculture and planning. They would like to learn about different farming techniques, growing medicinal plants, administration and nutrition.
The land will provide the families with multiple natural resources, including two rivers, a spring and a lagoon that can be used for irrigation. There is also a 22,000 gallon water tank currently on the land, which the families will be able to use for irrigation. With a road only two miles away and public transportation available, the families will have ready access to the local market. The soil on the farm is fertile and high in nutrients, which will allow the families to grow crops such as grains, vegetables, coffee and plantains.
Projects for the 2010 – 2011 fiscal year include:
- Evaluating progress and forming plans/projects based on community-wide vision
- Learning soil conservation techniques
- Installing improved water basins, composting latrines and efficient cook stoves in homes
- Training two health promoters to address minor medical problems
- Farmers improving efficiency by recording production and costs in a log
- Women teaming up to initiate their first community bank
