Sequoia Ireland: Farmer-to-Farmer in Senegal

In May of 2016, Sequoia, an organic vegetable and animal health specialist, traveled to the Koalack region of Senegal to help four vegetable cooperatives further improve their production methods.

  • Story Snapshot

  • Country: Senegal
  • VEGA Lead Member: NCBA CLUSA
  • Objective: To assist four vegetable cooperatives and further improve their production method
  • Timeline: May 2016
  • Volunteers: 1
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In May of 2016, Sequoia, an organic vegetable and animal health specialist, traveled to the Koalack region of Senegal to help four vegetable cooperatives further improve their production methods. Sequoia helped the women decide which vegetables to grow including how to use complementary vegetables, crop rotation, inter-cropping, and under-cropping. These complementary vegetables help to ensure nutrient dense soil, prevent evaporation, prevent erosion, and keep pests under control. She also helped the women learn how to test soil fertility with baking soda and vinegar, products easily obtained at their local market. Sequoia also taught the women about water management, the soil food web, energy transfers, mulching, record keeping, and much more.

Community members had a very positive response to learning that Sequoia was volunteering her time and expertise to help them, which contributed to the wonderful relationships Sequoia developed with the women she worked with.