In the past few years, a major effort undertaken by Friends of Haiti, Inc. has been agricultural development. Knowledgeable people from the Green Bay area have accompanied the group, met with local citizens, farmers and agricultural leaders to evaluate local resources. Projects being explored include tree planting, rabbit raising, and gardening. Agricultural tools such as picks, axes, spades and seeds are also shipped when available.
Friends of Haiti, Inc. is working to help build the local economy as a major means of allowing the Haitian people to further help themselves.
As of July 2007, there are about 30 rabbits in Grand Boulage plus some babies. Growers sign a contract which requires them to give some rabbits back to the committee, which redistributes them. The growers received training from volunteers from California that work with POA. The people indicated a wish for a better breed of mountain goats and 20 were sent. They were introduced in April by POA volunteer Myriam Pasternak. They held a training session for the selected farmers, some of whom live in the higher regions near Grand Boulage.
Proper nutrition and water needs have been part of the instruction. It is important to get food sources for the animals. A plant nursery and compost area have been started. Haitian citizen Benito Jasmin and Parters of the Americas' Dr. Pasternak have been invaluable to John Malcheski and his team that are leading the projects in the Grand Boulage area.
Friends of Haiti also funded a one week training session for seven people at a coop in Value that has been functioning for fifteen years.
In addition to vegetables and fruit, it is a top priority to get tree seedlings started, both for food for the animals and to control erosion.
