The Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve
The Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve is situated in Viard, a 45 minute hike from the small town of Kenscoff, Haiti. The Wynne Farm has been in existence for over 50 years. It was founded in 1956 by Victor A. Wynne, a civil engineer with degrees from Harvard and MIT. He noticed the ongoing misuse of the land and the inevitable threats of erosion and deforestation in the country. He then purchased various plots of land from local landowners and created the Wynne Farm which he terraced with a crew of 40 men. There, he propagated indigenous species to conserve Haiti's rich biodiversity and introduced various fruits, vegetables and trees from numerous parts of the world to show what the country's rich land is capable of bringing forth. Victor Wynne also emphasized the need for soil conservation, composting, reforestation, and experimented with agricultural techniques such as terracing.
Since 1994, the farm has been dedicated to environmental education so as to promote sustainable development and the healing of planet earth.
Jane Wynne, Victor's daughter, worked along side her father. There she learned about the terracing techniques that were brought over from Peru. She learned about the 10 varieties of bamboo that were brought from around the world. She learned as her father made the transition from chemical fertilizers to organic farming methods in the late 1970's and 1980's. And she learned to love the land as her father did.
Jane is now the caretaker of the 30 acre farm as well as a 3 acre piece of heaven she now calls home in the town of Kenscoff, 4000 feet above Port Au Prince and 2000 feet below the farm, or ecological reserve as it is now known.
Jane has worked tirelessly to preserve and improve this land, at times fighting unscrupulous people who have tried to illegally take or develop it. One group was made up of drug lords who liked the view from her ridge so much that they wanted to build homes and live there. When they started to build a road Jane laid her body down in front of a bulldozer to stop them. The road was never built.
The reserve faces lesser threats on a daily basis. It is not unusual for people to stray from the public path that goes through the reserve and steal resources or commit acts of vandalism. This can range from stealing produce to the cutting of full-grown trees.
The solution to the vandalism is to have several folks live on the farm full time. This "presence" should reduce vandalism to a tolerable level. With the vandals at bay, more land can be put into service, generating more food of a wider variety. Dozens of local men and women will be employed to grow, process, transport and sell the produce.
Jane works with a foundation that organizes a summer camp for 1,200 children. They already teach sports, music, dancing, yoga, environmental education, crafts, knowledge of medicinal plants and recycling. The farm is often the classroom for these kids. The increase in farm productivity will greatly increase the opportunity for these kids to learn the art of organic farming in a hands-on environment.
As the farm becomes more vibrant and relevant a cycle begins that integrates the success of the reserve with the well being of the community, spawning deeper connections with the soil and with each other.
Currently there is a standard masonry building that can house at least one person as well as an earth bag building that is used as the on-site classroom. Soon a good friend of Jane's will be living there full time which will be the first step in securing the property.
I believe the next step is to build at least 1, and preferably 2, straw bale homes so that more local families can live and work on the reserve. It is our hope and belief that adding this many full time residents will solve the vandalism problem.
And then the vision for an ecological reserve can begin to bloom into its full potential.
It gets quite cold at 6000 feet so these straw bale homes will be passively heated by the sun. Solar thermal will be used to heat water. A small solar panel and battery could provide for the modest electrical needs (lights, cell phone, computer, internet).
Liberal use will be made of the bamboo that grows on the property. Structural bamboo for the trusses will be brought in from elsewhere in Haiti. The homes will be designed for earthquake and hurricane resistance by architects, engineers and builders who are familiar with these building methods.
We will offer workshops during the construction of these homes. In exchange for a day's work, folks will receive training on how a building can be made largely from straw and earth. They'll also receive a fabulous organic lunch from produce grown on the farm. Along with the Haitians we hire for the construction, these people can teach others the techniques they learn.
$25,000 is needed to build straw-bale houses on the reserve to make this vision a reality:
1) Since the land is already owned and many plans and infrastructure are already in place, a relatively small amount of money could produce an enormous return.
2) Donors will be kept abreast of the progress via periodic reports by e-mail and on my blog. Pictures and video will also be posted.
3) Donors who want to be more involved can discuss the project and suggest changes and/or improvements.
4) I will pay all administrative costs so donors get the satisfaction of knowing that 100% of their donations will go directly for construction costs (material and labor). I will take no salary and will pay my own travel expenses.
5) Jane has been a powerful force for environmentalism in Haiti for many years. She has formed many important alliances with many capable individuals. It would be difficult to overstate how helpful her connections will be.
6) Jane wants all donors to know that they are more than welcome to come and visit on the land after the buildings are complete. She loves meeting new people.
Those who wish to support this project can send checks directly to:
Mark Phillips
14566 Toleman Rd., Atascadero, Ca., 93422
805 461-0490 (home)
805 835-2921 (cell)
Donors who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution can do so through:
Builders Without Borders
So that funds can be properly directed, please mention "The Wynne Farm Ecological Reserve" on the memo line of your check or in a note if paying by credit card or PayPal. (be aware that PayPal takes 3% to process your donation)
BWB also takes a small percentage to cover administrative costs but they are a good organization and deserve our support.
Your support is deeply appreciated.
Cheers,
mark phillips
