ECHO East Africa
Lead Farmer Training
Over one week emerging farmers are given intensive training for multiple production scales to become disseminators of best practices in their farming communities. Co-trained with ECHO East Africa. Tzaneen, South Africa. March 2018.
Abalimi Bezekhaya/Harvest of Hope
Production and Soil Enhancement Program
For three years Christopher worked to monitor and improve soil with over 100 farmers in more than 60 urban gardens. By implementing a comprehensive production plan, a 27% increase in vegetable production was monitored between the first and second year. 2014-2017. Cape Town, South Africa.
USAID Farmer to Farmer Program
Improving Food Safety Systems for Chili Production
241 farmers were trained in best production practices and IPM for growing quality chili peppers over 5 days during the 15 day assignment in Central Region, Ghana. Worked with Ghana Agricultural Extension officers. Facilitated by IESC. April 2017.
Abalimi Bezekhaya/Harvest of Hope
Farmer Trainings and Workshops
Christopher lead 23 farmer workshops over 3 years, often creating and handing off new course material. Through translation farmers learned about topics ranging between specific crop agronomy, crop rotation, soil basics, and GMCCs. Existing course material was often updated and revised. 2014-2017. Cape Town, South Africa.
Abalimi Bezekhaya/Harvest of Hope
Impumelelo Yomhlaba (Soil Awards)
To motivate farmers to build and care for their soil, annual soil awards were started to communicate technical test results in an understandable way with practical guidance. It became the most exciting workshop of the year as farmers would sing songs of gratitude after every award. 2016-2017. Cape Town, South Africa.
USAID Farmer to Farmer Program
Composting and Conservation Agriculture Trainings
Trained around 100 farmers in three areas surrounding Ouro Sogui, Senegal the basics of conservation agriculture, Foundations for Farming, and thermal composting. Facilitated by NCBA-CLUSA. November 2014.
ECHO at Howard G. Buffett's Ukulima Farm
Soil and Crop Research in Small-Holder Systems
Research assistance to multi-year studies of intercropping grains like Maize and Sorghum with tropical legumes such as Lablab and Mucuna. Changes in soil nutrients, carbon, moisture, and microbe populations were quantified in organic, small-holder farming systems. 2011-2013. Alma, South Africa.
North Carolina State University
Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture
Research and teaching assistance was given to evaluate NASA's AMSR-E soil moisture data product in respect to soil moisture sensors across North Carolina. Spatial correlation within and between these datasets was explored. 2009-2011. Raleigh, North Carolina.