Come Let’s Dance stories #4: The Farm

From the Come, Let's Dance website:

Another dream of ours that just became reality is a farming micro-business! In September 2007, 20 acres of farmland was purchased in the village of Mwera. With Uganda’s rich, fertile soil, farming has a promising future! Our ultimate desire for the farm is to be able to grow food and house livestock in order to establish a self-sufficient resource for the Kid’s Home as well as multiple other programs where additional finances are needed.

Goals

1. Self- Sustainability on several levels
   
   
   • A perpetuating food source supporting the Kid’s Home
   • Growing food to feed the hungry in the community
     
     
2. Provide jobs and life-long skills for the Ugandan Management Team
   
   
3. Market/sell product and livestock
   
   
• Evaluate financial growth, taking the steps to become a self-sustainable micro-business.
  
  
4. Become a vocational/training center
   
   
   • Provide training and jobs for those who are unemployed and desperate for employment

Completed Farm Phases!

Phase I: Fencing off the entire 20 acres, build one bunk house, and secure a water source

Phase II: Test out the success of growing vegetables, and raising pigs and chickens on four acres of land

Phase III: September 2008, we worked with EmI (www.emiusa.org) testing and designing the farm.

In March of 2009 we are hosting a fundraiser to fund the program.

“The options are really endless when thinking of the farming opportunities in Uganda. A multitude of crops can be grown, there are a variety of ways to utilize the produce, and farm animals can fit seamlessly into the system… One thing is certain; Africans already know how to farm.” - Brian Ripely – MS in Animal Science/Management Systems

Drawing resources from experts both in the US and abroad

Engineering Ministries International
brings together architects, engineers, and design professionals who donate their services by putting together formal master plans for other organizations’ building projects.

Love Mercy staff from the branch in Kenya has been increasingly helpful with offering resources, expertise, and project outlines. With a successful organic fertilizer program in full swing, Love Mercy has been an integral part of envisioning the potential of the new 20 acres.

Kira Farm and Training Center has served as a realistic example and model for what can be done, and what we hope to accomplish. They secured 22.5 acres in Uganda where they formed a vocational training center for Ugandan young people.

Farmers of Mt. Elgon, Kenya is managed by Colorado native, Bill Yeager. He has established a network of farmers in the Mt. Elgon region of Kenya to produce organic onions in their rich, volcanic soil. They allow us to visit and glean advice, we’ve been grateful to learn from all their success, specifically in marketing our products.

Also check out this site for a brochure showing this process in the works!!!