Mulberries & Livelihoods

We spoke last newsletter about how our relationship with a Lao friend, "Aunt Lydia", has led us to partner with her organization to promote organic agriculture in a district of Xieng Khouang Province.  

That effort is well-underway.  Numerous trips and village meetings have begun to lay the foundation for a long-term project we hope will be an example of community development done well.  

Our project's goals?  To generate income for rural families, begin value-adding to those products, link farmers to markets, and preserve traditional knowledge and skills.

So, we are asking families if they want to join a co-op to begin planting organic mulberry, soy bean, and other crops.  Our goal for this year was  to find 75 families.  After our last round of village meetings we had well over 100 families asking to join us!  But...we will see how that all shakes out as we go through a process of visiting each of their fields, talking in more detail, checking to see if they understand what they are getting into.  

Woman signing up to plant soy bean and mulberry

We have told farmers they can expect several income streams:  Selling soybean, mulberry leaves for tea, silk cocoons from raising silk worms with the rest of their mulberry leaves, and silk cloth, if they choose to weave their own.

 

Lots of women and children in village meetings

This is an exciting time for us!  It's a pleasure to work with a woman and her organization with more than 30 years experience and a passion to really help people.  It's a pleasure to share experiences and values with Lao co-workers.  It's fun to be building again (I love building!)--a combination harvest--silk--mulberry--agro-eco-tourism center.  

Of course, we have only a little money to begin.  But we are believing it's going to come in! We'll keep you informed.