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Jilbert, a young farmer, is participating in a five-year agricultural training program through CEPAD, an RCA mission partner in Nicaragua. With just one year of training under his belt, he has much to show: pineapple, squash, beets, and oranges.

In spite of the year’s drought, Jilbert is excited about his crops.

Jilbert, a young farmer, is participating in a five-year agricultural training program through CEPAD, an RCA mission partner in Nicaragua. With just one year of training under his belt, he has much to show: pineapple, squash, beets, and oranges.

While giving a tour of his farm, Jilbert pauses to describe the sustainable farming practices he has learned, like composting and making chemical-free pesticides. Sometimes Favio, the local CEPAD trainer, interrupts to give advice on a particular plant. At the squash, Jilbert stops, bends down to pick up the last squash of the season, and cracks it open. He will save its seeds to plant next year. When he reaches the compost pile, he beams with pride. Reaching deep into the compost, he pulls out a handful of dark, rich soil. Like the soil in the compost, his farm has been transformed.

Since beginning the program, Jilbert has stopped planting only corn and beans, Nicaragua’s staple crops. By diversifying his crops, Jilbert provides his family with better nutrition, keeps his soil fertile, and increases his income as he sells his produce. Perhaps most significantly, he has greater food security. If one crop fails during the drought, he can rely on the others for food and revenue.

Jilbert is participating in the training program with members of his community, Quebrada Honda. As other farmers face a food crisis, Jilbert and the other participants are increasing food production, improving the economy, and protecting natural resources. In just three years, they will transition from growing only staple crops to producing more than 25 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and wood trees.

In each of its 42 communities, CEPAD trains five farmers, who then teach the techniques to five of their neighbors. As the training spreads, whole communities gain delicious food for their tables and new hope for the future.