tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4773429907984968522024-03-13T22:33:33.672-07:00Cocoa Farming Future Initiative GrenadaCFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-88139240093343841872018-06-05T13:30:00.001-07:002018-06-05T13:31:08.014-07:00CFFI Has a New Website--With a New Blog!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5p8cVE4GHgQ/WxbxDVfc_KI/AAAAAAAAAzI/CH7PTWAqgykb0FHQzO5VSV7IP-mHpBmtgCLcBGAs/s1600/CFFI_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="210" data-original-width="841" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5p8cVE4GHgQ/WxbxDVfc_KI/AAAAAAAAAzI/CH7PTWAqgykb0FHQzO5VSV7IP-mHpBmtgCLcBGAs/s640/CFFI_logo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've been working hard on our beautiful new </span><a href="https://www.cffigrenada.org/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank">website</a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, and we hope you'll take a minute to check it out! Don't forget to subscribe while you're there. The new site has its own blog, and from now on, that's where all of our news will be posted. </span>CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-48662824475498346912018-04-14T15:10:00.002-07:002018-04-14T15:12:28.034-07:00New Venue for the Annual Ruggles & Hunt Fashion Show Fundraiser<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-HyJ-ct5dY/WtJ5tDKDKcI/AAAAAAAAAy0/pag-RfdWUwEl76mJwNL_UV0y2pyhElbawCEwYBhgL/s1600/00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-HyJ-ct5dY/WtJ5tDKDKcI/AAAAAAAAAy0/pag-RfdWUwEl76mJwNL_UV0y2pyhElbawCEwYBhgL/s640/00001.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Please join us at the lovely Walpole Inn for this year's fabulous fashion show fundraiser for CFFI!</span><br />
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<br />CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-43716064862812878452018-04-07T07:18:00.000-07:002018-04-07T07:21:15.117-07:00The Secret Ingredient in Our Organic Compost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67shOxZM2yo/WsjO4L8SfcI/AAAAAAAAAyE/mJiuNLpNRAA1ykf6PnupQgSsSKRtjwZhACLcBGAs/s1600/collecting%2Bseaweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67shOxZM2yo/WsjO4L8SfcI/AAAAAAAAAyE/mJiuNLpNRAA1ykf6PnupQgSsSKRtjwZhACLcBGAs/s640/collecting%2Bseaweed.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Seaweed is loaded with beneficial minerals and hormones that stimulate plant growth. It's also low in cellulose, so it breaks down easily. Those are just a few of the reasons we add it to CFFI's super-nutrient-rich organic compost.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnywgu8NOMk/WsjO4ROeNPI/AAAAAAAAAyM/UfreHxDOXHEolmfII4JUd7WWhjAFMIHNwCLcBGAs/s1600/seaweed%2B-%2Bderon%2Bwith%2Bbags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gnywgu8NOMk/WsjO4ROeNPI/AAAAAAAAAyM/UfreHxDOXHEolmfII4JUd7WWhjAFMIHNwCLcBGAs/s640/seaweed%2B-%2Bderon%2Bwith%2Bbags.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here's Deron Georges, one of our farm workers, collecting seaweed for CFFI's compost station.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rO6juuA0-C8/WsjO4QFR-WI/AAAAAAAAAyI/S3l2XFRKHMIlkKkvIaRR1YzgpkyL6um5gCEwYBhgL/s1600/seaweed%2B-%2Btruck%2Bfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rO6juuA0-C8/WsjO4QFR-WI/AAAAAAAAAyI/S3l2XFRKHMIlkKkvIaRR1YzgpkyL6um5gCEwYBhgL/s640/seaweed%2B-%2Btruck%2Bfull.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our friend "Wedger" came along with his truck.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkAWEzmpZdU/WsjO--c0VvI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/wE0EqzYvb10Gb8-V_lLS2bYDrbwWJ5iUgCEwYBhgL/s1600/deron%2Bgets%2Bfresh%2Bjellies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkAWEzmpZdU/WsjO--c0VvI/AAAAAAAAAyQ/wE0EqzYvb10Gb8-V_lLS2bYDrbwWJ5iUgCEwYBhgL/s640/deron%2Bgets%2Bfresh%2Bjellies.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we were done, Deron picked some "jellies" (the Grenadian name for young coconuts). After all that hard work in the sun, we needed to replenish our own nutrients!</span>CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-28023737102465036542018-03-10T07:12:00.002-08:002018-03-10T07:19:35.160-08:00Living Fences Make Good Neighbors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--01zcH9-_eA/WqPwy3zu3LI/AAAAAAAAAxY/PHH0yRHr1a8WXUMHDqhlNRDqRPd3tGuewCLcBGAs/s1600/Goats%2Bon%2Bthe%2BFarm%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--01zcH9-_eA/WqPwy3zu3LI/AAAAAAAAAxY/PHH0yRHr1a8WXUMHDqhlNRDqRPd3tGuewCLcBGAs/s640/Goats%2Bon%2Bthe%2BFarm%2B2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've been having lots of unexpected visits from hungry neighbors lately. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAketMZWWLQ/WqPwy3jbV1I/AAAAAAAAAxc/P2WKXJImXigKtK44vcXVAIbEbBjR7IV0QCLcBGAs/s1600/Goats%2Bon%2Bthe%2BFarm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAketMZWWLQ/WqPwy3jbV1I/AAAAAAAAAxc/P2WKXJImXigKtK44vcXVAIbEbBjR7IV0QCLcBGAs/s640/Goats%2Bon%2Bthe%2BFarm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sheep aren't too bad--they just eat the grass--but the goats help themselves to our vegetables, too. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVdMRc80Hms/WqPwzjfc0_I/AAAAAAAAAxk/B48xsPnZ7n0q3HXe2R1SC9fNBVVruUREgCLcBGAs/s1600/Living%2BFence%2Bwith%2BDoko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVdMRc80Hms/WqPwzjfc0_I/AAAAAAAAAxk/B48xsPnZ7n0q3HXe2R1SC9fNBVVruUREgCLcBGAs/s640/Living%2BFence%2Bwith%2BDoko.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On the theory that good fences make good neighbors, we're building a "living fence" along the edge of our farm. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">D</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">orise "Doko" Kowalewski, CFFI's current president and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">jack</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">-of-all-trades, designed the fence.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKKAQZIejR4/WqPwy-qQVpI/AAAAAAAAAxs/5cZ6lBDZlzEoR_t8cU8-dyClpEYkH6TIwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Living%2BFence%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKKAQZIejR4/WqPwy-qQVpI/AAAAAAAAAxs/5cZ6lBDZlzEoR_t8cU8-dyClpEYkH6TIwCEwYBhgL/s640/Living%2BFence%2B1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the surrounding vegetation grows (which happens really fast here in the tropics), we will weave it into the criss-crossing supports. Et voil</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">á</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">!</span>CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-7002515470384861622018-02-26T07:04:00.000-08:002018-02-26T07:04:54.954-08:00CFFI's Annual Exchange with the École hôtelière de Montréal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In January, CFFI once again hosted a group of students and faculty from the École hôtelière de Montréal for a professional and cultural exchange in Grenada.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cvcUaHCiWY/WpQbvjXo7fI/AAAAAAAAAw0/lNvts-eVo7Ab7S7M9JoARivFpS-FdQhVwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8cvcUaHCiWY/WpQbvjXo7fI/AAAAAAAAAw0/lNvts-eVo7Ab7S7M9JoARivFpS-FdQhVwCEwYBhgL/s640/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year's volunteers from Canada did an outstanding job, learning about how cocoa is grown, harvested, fermented, dried, and made into chocolate.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpjiUUU1rUc/WpQbwT3S_WI/AAAAAAAAAw4/h1tfCMEOI4YcJeuPT9Ik3VpOcezyoXMGgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XpjiUUU1rUc/WpQbwT3S_WI/AAAAAAAAAw4/h1tfCMEOI4YcJeuPT9Ik3VpOcezyoXMGgCEwYBhgL/s640/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The learning was definitely hands-on.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6D2aqHZtVQ/WpQbvihWFBI/AAAAAAAAAxE/zxLJY9dRXDQamLAz7f5tIRDVFlsYAnXFQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6D2aqHZtVQ/WpQbvihWFBI/AAAAAAAAAxE/zxLJY9dRXDQamLAz7f5tIRDVFlsYAnXFQCEwYBhgL/s640/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As in previous years, the students and staff also shared their expertise with students from Grenada's top culinary school.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqO4Vb4ErlQ/WpQbvujU1kI/AAAAAAAAAws/suj-azijaN0BSC59MG73ro7vC9-tTdxJwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqO4Vb4ErlQ/WpQbvujU1kI/AAAAAAAAAws/suj-azijaN0BSC59MG73ro7vC9-tTdxJwCEwYBhgL/s640/Canadian%2Bvolunteers%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks, as always, to <span style="line-height: 115%;">François </span>Matthey-Jonais of the École hôtelière and Dorise Kowalewski of CFFI for making the exchange a success!</span>CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-73406613819616675932018-02-23T14:48:00.001-08:002018-02-26T06:27:08.572-08:00Growing Cocoa the Natural Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWc8m33nbPg/WpCJtH2fQFI/AAAAAAAAAwA/qFj_1vgnw7E7OQUM_mOBQLkYYcH37LbVACLcBGAs/s1600/figs%2Band%2Bcocoa%2Bbeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DWc8m33nbPg/WpCJtH2fQFI/AAAAAAAAAwA/qFj_1vgnw7E7OQUM_mOBQLkYYcH37LbVACLcBGAs/s640/figs%2Band%2Bcocoa%2Bbeans.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In our last blog post, we wrote about the importance of growing cocoa in its natural habitat, among flowers, fruit and spice trees. The taller spice trees provide just the right amount of shade for the smaller cocoa trees; the tiny midges that thrive in this environment pollinate the cacao flowers; and the fruit that falls from the other trees decomposes in the soil and lends the cocoa a rich and complex blend of flavors.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsfIUSqo298/WpCJsjxEb1I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/A67mCNZH_fs54rCMmPFhFUZh-iM-SCM5gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Passion%2BFruit%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WsfIUSqo298/WpCJsjxEb1I/AAAAAAAAAwQ/A67mCNZH_fs54rCMmPFhFUZh-iM-SCM5gCEwYBhgL/s640/Passion%2BFruit%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On our model organic cocoa farm, we grow all kinds of delicious fruit. Passion fruit grows on vines that climb up other trees and over the trellises we build for them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIXyhapW-Kk/WpCJrgOM7OI/AAAAAAAAAwM/8Bx6t3qnowM_kNDHq4DvtxMZOR2VfoHOwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Deron%2Bpicking%2Boranges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qIXyhapW-Kk/WpCJrgOM7OI/AAAAAAAAAwM/8Bx6t3qnowM_kNDHq4DvtxMZOR2VfoHOwCEwYBhgL/s640/Deron%2Bpicking%2Boranges.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oranges, of course, grow in trees.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qPtOseSVVKo/WpCJsIrv5rI/AAAAAAAAAwY/F8N032iGssE_eBU6Jjd9gYNGYDJlP2xhwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Deron%2Bwith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qPtOseSVVKo/WpCJsIrv5rI/AAAAAAAAAwY/F8N032iGssE_eBU6Jjd9gYNGYDJlP2xhwCEwYBhgL/s640/Deron%2Bwith.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Deron Georges, one of CFFI's farmers, has harvested some "figs," as we call them <br />here in Grenada.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SL99tccBT4A/WpCJrhhdBrI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/PZSGDYXWYMoRdLVk9csWiWdH6lRgPeqsACEwYBhgL/s1600/Deron%2Bselling%2Bfigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SL99tccBT4A/WpCJrhhdBrI/AAAAAAAAAwQ/PZSGDYXWYMoRdLVk9csWiWdH6lRgPeqsACEwYBhgL/s640/Deron%2Bselling%2Bfigs.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The money that we make selling our fruit helps keep CFFI going, so we can continue supporting local cocoa farmers by providing high-quality seedlings, organic fertilizer, and training in sustainable agriculture.</span>CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-1703877476724112672018-02-19T07:00:00.000-08:002018-02-23T13:34:54.839-08:00Abundant Harvest on Our Model Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Hfd9xbVQLk/WoraMpF0r0I/AAAAAAAAAug/LrWPEhJrjXsn0cbcqzd8bE4O_xUgMyT4QCLcBGAs/s1600/cocoa%2Bpods%2Bin%2Ba%2Bpile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Hfd9xbVQLk/WoraMpF0r0I/AAAAAAAAAug/LrWPEhJrjXsn0cbcqzd8bE4O_xUgMyT4QCLcBGAs/s640/cocoa%2Bpods%2Bin%2Ba%2Bpile.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thanks to all the sustainable farming practices we use on our farm, including grafting, pruning, and amending the soil with our own organic fertilizer, our yield increases every year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gS9wzC0uMng/WoraR4M7g4I/AAAAAAAAAuk/MmWN0xffN5QiEC2Cy9U_0qif8_eNDaR8QCLcBGAs/s1600/building%2Ba%2Bdrying%2Btray2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gS9wzC0uMng/WoraR4M7g4I/AAAAAAAAAuk/MmWN0xffN5QiEC2Cy9U_0qif8_eNDaR8QCLcBGAs/s640/building%2Ba%2Bdrying%2Btray2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year our harvest was so abundant that we had to build lots of extra drying trays to keep up. This is Jeffrey "Yellow" Mark, an experienced local farmer who mentors our young</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> cocoa growers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SF7NSJc9JoU/Worat0RKSbI/AAAAAAAAAus/WYkrOSosiA09MOLMjhFp2bCp9Q-v6YxKQCLcBGAs/s1600/Doko%2527s%2Bdrying%2Btrays4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SF7NSJc9JoU/Worat0RKSbI/AAAAAAAAAus/WYkrOSosiA09MOLMjhFp2bCp9Q-v6YxKQCLcBGAs/s640/Doko%2527s%2Bdrying%2Btrays4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had to improvise, but it all worked out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lc7KwV34oJE/WorfKkWJGSI/AAAAAAAAAvI/hJsY4fDy9akVHRqurVMSBQchJwHsd8VhQCLcBGAs/s1600/bananas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lc7KwV34oJE/WorfKkWJGSI/AAAAAAAAAvI/hJsY4fDy9akVHRqurVMSBQchJwHsd8VhQCLcBGAs/s640/bananas.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like other cocoa farmers in Grenada, we grow our cocoa in among fruit and spice trees. Not only does this arrangement provide a healthy, sustainable ecosystem, it also produces a rich, complex-tasting cocoa, with hints of nutmeg, banana, and all the other fragrant neighboring plants. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #36291e;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LeDUJEdw04/WorfjslHs5I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/-qgQWpgz24INOZkfCB8slXrVSyoE2tzhACLcBGAs/s1600/cows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcocoa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1LeDUJEdw04/WorfjslHs5I/AAAAAAAAAvQ/-qgQWpgz24INOZkfCB8slXrVSyoE2tzhACLcBGAs/s640/cows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bcocoa1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our model organic cocoa farm is a popular destination for local growers and ecotourists. Come visit us when you're in Grenada. We'll be here 'til the cows come home!</span>CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-46018408983276666472017-10-18T12:31:00.000-07:002017-10-27T20:15:19.706-07:00Support CFFI at Christmas Market in Hanover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt71_3g-Crg/WfP2C6ghT6I/AAAAAAAAAuA/003kOTaV9Tgwi2-o1NUmR_Rtr4hAvRnFwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas-Market-flyer-2017-min.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1235" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xt71_3g-Crg/WfP2C6ghT6I/AAAAAAAAAuA/003kOTaV9Tgwi2-o1NUmR_Rtr4hAvRnFwCLcBGAs/s640/Christmas-Market-flyer-2017-min.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Get a jump on your holiday shopping<br />And support CFFI at the annual </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Christmas Market with a Difference </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />We'll have fragrant spices from the "Spice Isle"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Jouvay chocolate bars, made with Grenadian cocoa in a farmer-owned factory</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Beautiful handmade crafts from CFFI's Women's Crafts Cooperative </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">And of course our famous panforte, a rich holiday cake</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Made with Grenadian spices and dried fruits</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thursday, November 2, 10-6</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Friday, November 3, 10-6</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, November 4, 10-2</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Church of Christ at Dartmouth College</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
40 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755<br />
603-643-3150<br />
<a href="http://www.ccdcucc.org/christmas-market-with-a-difference.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.ccdcucc.org/christmas-market-with-a-difference.html</span></a></div>
</h2>
<div>
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CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com61tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-57130145043254514982017-04-26T10:14:00.001-07:002017-04-26T10:14:24.758-07:00Annual Mother's Day Fashion Show to Benefit CFFI<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Please join us Monday, May 8th, from 6-8pm for a Spring Fashion Show.<br />Come see your favorite local characters sporting the latest styles from Ruggles & Hunt!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">ENJOY COSMOPOLITANS, GREAT FINGER FOOD AND A FUN TIME, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ALL WHILE SUPPORTING GRENADIAN COCOA GROWERS.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">WIN a Gift Certificate for the Best Decorated Hat or Umbrella!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Buy tickets for a chance to win amazing prizes from </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Johnny Was, Laura Zindel, Velvet, Kut From the Kloth, Cape Clogs and Cut Loose! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91MZqkD3eJo/WQDPIixdt1I/AAAAAAAAAtM/RbKqxeQ5WxI05vtwhBa1yXVLd4WjFcE8QCLcB/s1600/R%2526H%2BFashion%2BShow%2B2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91MZqkD3eJo/WQDPIixdt1I/AAAAAAAAAtM/RbKqxeQ5WxI05vtwhBa1yXVLd4WjFcE8QCLcB/s640/R%2526H%2BFashion%2BShow%2B2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can’t Come? Make a donation or buy some raffle tickets to support a good cause.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">www.CFFIGrenada.org | www.rugglesandhunt.com</span></div>
CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-61434478060769085732016-12-13T04:07:00.002-08:002016-12-13T04:07:42.508-08:00Video from Ecole hoteliere de MontrealCheck out this video our friends from Ecole hoteliere de Montreal put together with the highlights of their trip to Grenada in January. The group was here in to learn about processing cocoa, making chocolate and to work with local culinary students.<br />
<br />
<iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F196180353728344%2Fvideos%2F1384148938264807%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04081097482272693437noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-18697217902419957322016-11-08T08:50:00.001-08:002016-11-08T08:51:38.053-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jaGW0eoziA/WCIBQBj1sHI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Xki_AVMIX6Yht-A7sFz2sFVI_qCPlA3awCLcB/s1600/panforte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6jaGW0eoziA/WCIBQBj1sHI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Xki_AVMIX6Yht-A7sFz2sFVI_qCPlA3awCLcB/s640/panforte.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2>
Goodness for a Good Cause</h2>
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Panforte is a dense, spicy, cake full nuts and dried fruit.
It’s a classic Italian Christmas treat, but we’ve put an unusual spin on it, with
a heady mix of Grenadian spices and, of course, pure Grenadian chocolate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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CFFI’s panforte makes a wonderful holiday gift. Traditional
and hip at the same time, it’s an exotic mix of mango and citrus peel,
almonds and cashews, cocoa and cocoa nibs, plus honey, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and white pepper—all from Grenada.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We can ship anywhere in the US, or hand-deliver within a 20 mile radius of zipcode 03607.</div>
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Contact Doko at dorisedoko@gmail.com</div>
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Happy Holidays!</div>
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CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-56165596025735922062016-10-29T12:49:00.003-07:002016-10-29T12:54:23.194-07:00Support CFFI at the Christmas Market with a Difference in Hanover, NH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou0k_DwHLp4/WBTwfkGPdEI/AAAAAAAAAr0/1LRtvzSHT9MLJG0ZrFouYZfcL8Vj0uz6ACLcB/s1600/christmas-market-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou0k_DwHLp4/WBTwfkGPdEI/AAAAAAAAAr0/1LRtvzSHT9MLJG0ZrFouYZfcL8Vj0uz6ACLcB/s400/christmas-market-logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Come support CFFI's Women's Crafts Cooperative <br />at the Christmas Market with a Difference!</h3>
<div>
Where: Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, 40 College St., Hanover, NH</div>
<div>
When: Thursday & Friday, November 3 & 4, from 10 am to 6 pm<br />
Saturday, November 5, from 10 am to 2 pm</div>
<div>
Why: Take care of some holiday shopping while supporting a variety of wonderful non-profits <br />
from around the world. In addition to our usual crafts, soaps, and spices, CFFI will be<br />
offering "Totally Nuts!" immune-boosting energy balls, made from pure Grenadian <br />
chocolate and antioxidant-rich spices, plus a delicious mix of nuts, seeds and berries!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAcgmy9UOSw/WBT9NRe8PiI/AAAAAAAAAsM/RbBNLdURk3M60vfSJkbyEtyYEKuElv_dwCLcB/s1600/happy%2Bcrafting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAcgmy9UOSw/WBT9NRe8PiI/AAAAAAAAAsM/RbBNLdURk3M60vfSJkbyEtyYEKuElv_dwCLcB/s640/happy%2Bcrafting.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-49064011221213930242016-09-04T14:06:00.001-07:002016-09-15T12:30:34.549-07:00CFFI starts a cocoa nursery!<br />
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Thanks to a generous grant by the <u><a href="http://www.clifbarfamilyfoundation.org/">Clif Bar Family Foundation</a></u>, our team has started to build a small nursery for tree seedlings. The nursery
will be used to practice grafting techniques and experiment with growing
seedlings organically – free of fertilizers and growth hormones! An organic tree
nursery will be important as more cocoa farmers are turning organic and looking
to source organic plants.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9yErsx9_zw/V8xmnuCUXcI/AAAAAAAABL8/7hCru3_5N1Ene4nJknlHOvZnjJRzphU_gCEw/s1600/IMG_20160813_085119228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R9yErsx9_zw/V8xmnuCUXcI/AAAAAAAABL8/7hCru3_5N1Ene4nJknlHOvZnjJRzphU_gCEw/s400/IMG_20160813_085119228.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE: clearing space in front of the Prosper House</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4yZYhyzahk/V8yHzds8UyI/AAAAAAAABOE/NTj0qswgESYv8RYt8beStHxhusDCwIZLQCEw/s1600/IMG-20160820-WA0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S4yZYhyzahk/V8yHzds8UyI/AAAAAAAABOE/NTj0qswgESYv8RYt8beStHxhusDCwIZLQCEw/s400/IMG-20160820-WA0013.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER: The nursery building is near-completed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The nursery is a small, natural building using bayleaf wood
for the frame. Bayleaf trees smell wonderful, but more importantly they are hardy, fast-growing trees that are resistant to pests and make excellent pillars. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8uN9ZkGbiwU/V8xnE9RAmiI/AAAAAAAABL8/ZCSIDqJ7hXU_maZcs2I1docJnkvECkfvwCEw/s1600/IMG_20160813_105816566_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8uN9ZkGbiwU/V8xnE9RAmiI/AAAAAAAABL8/ZCSIDqJ7hXU_maZcs2I1docJnkvECkfvwCEw/s400/IMG_20160813_105816566_HDR.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beginnings of our nursery <br />
building frame</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnf1qfzUrfw/V8xnW4SLg4I/AAAAAAAABL8/iGigsvolGGA1Q2zw0NYVUWvB9pUazEUIQCEw/s1600/IMG_20160813_112508175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hnf1qfzUrfw/V8xnW4SLg4I/AAAAAAAABL8/iGigsvolGGA1Q2zw0NYVUWvB9pUazEUIQCEw/s400/IMG_20160813_112508175.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelwin Noel puts up the bayleaf pillars and wooden roof beams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The nursery has two sections.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->A semi-shaded area with tables for grafting.
Vulnerable seedlings that are very young or recently grafted will stay here,
protected from the sun and rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
where we will do the grafting as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The other side of the nursery has shade cloth and is exposed to rain and partial sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Successfully grafted seedlings will go on
this side to “harden.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vNVSM6yG98/V8yHv_DE3-I/AAAAAAAABN4/ItMNmIB9COgViCDGmnoIvkuGB45l0VK3wCEw/s1600/IMG-20160820-WA0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1vNVSM6yG98/V8yHv_DE3-I/AAAAAAAABN4/ItMNmIB9COgViCDGmnoIvkuGB45l0VK3wCEw/s400/IMG-20160820-WA0010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some young men help build tables</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7nMkw0lGmQ/V8yHkvEU1qI/AAAAAAAABNg/tYRKtrPlj4k79aLHp3ryeiIBMPlC0D4lQCEw/s1600/IMG-20160820-WA0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f7nMkw0lGmQ/V8yHkvEU1qI/AAAAAAAABNg/tYRKtrPlj4k79aLHp3ryeiIBMPlC0D4lQCEw/s400/IMG-20160820-WA0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first round of plants are brought to the nursery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Under the direction of Organic Certification Manger, <u><a href="http://cffigrenada.blogspot.com/2015/03/cffi-sponsors-young-farmer-for.html">Kelwin Noel</a></u>, we are producing our potting soil right here on the farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our soil includes a mix of nearby river sand,
goat manure and topsoil collected from areas of the land that have been left
untouched for many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may have
to source our soil elsewhere when we get the nursery up and running, but for
the first few hundred seedlings, this works great.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9j8NcfjS4ek/V8xmCIyjZFI/AAAAAAAABL8/eMAGPC1X7ag6WkeDiVCPX9bD4xKax7MigCEw/s1600/IMG_20160716_102907534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9j8NcfjS4ek/V8xmCIyjZFI/AAAAAAAABL8/eMAGPC1X7ag6WkeDiVCPX9bD4xKax7MigCEw/s400/IMG_20160716_102907534.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelwin Noel mixing soil - part sand, goat manure and topsoil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We collected young seedlings and cocoa seeds found
underneath trees – most often from ripe pods that have fallen and cracked open.
The seeds and seedlings are planted into bags with our soil and kept in the
shaded portion until they are large enough for grafting.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yW_VG33SbWQ/V8xmMt6wZcI/AAAAAAAABL8/jo18fje8tBkF3BGXXHFFlcCHzYrG2WHWwCEw/s1600/IMG_20160716_113746744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yW_VG33SbWQ/V8xmMt6wZcI/AAAAAAAABL8/jo18fje8tBkF3BGXXHFFlcCHzYrG2WHWwCEw/s400/IMG_20160716_113746744.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A cocoa tree shelters new seeds while we <br />construct the building</span></td></tr>
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CFFI has been interested in grafting for many years,
starting with our <a href="http://cffigrenada.blogspot.com/2014/02/grafting-seminar-day-one-was-success.html">g<u>rafting workshop with local farmers in 2014</u></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grafting shoots from older trees onto a young
seedling allows the seedling to start producing cocoa earlier, which makes them
much more useful for farmers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GirGcawflQg/V8yHmEfgKrI/AAAAAAAABNo/3xqQkbQiabUBNbfO3toi1N29wfZ9997mwCEw/s1600/IMG-20160820-WA0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GirGcawflQg/V8yHmEfgKrI/AAAAAAAABNo/3xqQkbQiabUBNbfO3toi1N29wfZ9997mwCEw/s400/IMG-20160820-WA0004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Young cocoa seedlings in the nursery</span></td></tr>
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The two young women working on our farm, Meryl and Sherol
are very interested in vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants too. They have
started growing these seedlings as well. We hope to have a plant sale in the
future – stay tuned!</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04081097482272693437noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-23596764397404349352016-02-02T07:59:00.000-08:002016-02-02T08:01:19.802-08:00Truly A Chocolate Lover's Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wl3dZl-5cNA/VrDN_UXXuiI/AAAAAAAAAqI/_UpGWvw6Xjw/s1600/evening%2Bbeach%2Bwith%2Bmarco.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wl3dZl-5cNA/VrDN_UXXuiI/AAAAAAAAAqI/_UpGWvw6Xjw/s640/evening%2Bbeach%2Bwith%2Bmarco.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Grenada is unique among the Caribbean islands. It is still largely unspoiled. The beaches are wild and gorgeous.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yp28TY_nILc/VrDOSh0NXtI/AAAAAAAAAqk/EGPjIPpzOa0/s1600/mountain%2Bstream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yp28TY_nILc/VrDOSh0NXtI/AAAAAAAAAqk/EGPjIPpzOa0/s640/mountain%2Bstream.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And the lush rainforest jungles are still full of surprises.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4LMn9CiU3o/VrDOHRCUCnI/AAAAAAAAAqU/DdDLWEpXC7w/s1600/John%2Bharvesting%2Bbamboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w4LMn9CiU3o/VrDOHRCUCnI/AAAAAAAAAqU/DdDLWEpXC7w/s400/John%2Bharvesting%2Bbamboo.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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This past Sunday, CFFI volunteer Dorise Kowalewski and friend of CFFI John Prosper went hiking in the mountains.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lf8COkQtIw/VrDR_AyMEEI/AAAAAAAAArY/8-cE3TOMbxU/s1600/bamboo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lf8COkQtIw/VrDR_AyMEEI/AAAAAAAAArY/8-cE3TOMbxU/s400/bamboo.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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They were foraging for bamboo.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClOtoEM4jFo/VrDOVnJMTCI/AAAAAAAAAqs/9byoTCRcyyI/s1600/Gift%2BShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ClOtoEM4jFo/VrDOVnJMTCI/AAAAAAAAAqs/9byoTCRcyyI/s640/Gift%2BShop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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They use the bamboo to build all kinds of interesting things, like the furniture at the CFFI gift shop.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8RTIzESapA/VrDRL0BHbQI/AAAAAAAAArM/S6uTDXD0GGA/s1600/monkey%2Beating%2Bfruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e8RTIzESapA/VrDRL0BHbQI/AAAAAAAAArM/S6uTDXD0GGA/s400/monkey%2Beating%2Bfruit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Up in the mountains they found not just bamboo, but all kinds of juicy fruit growing wild--mangoes and golden apples, and even water lemons, a fruit that is not cultivated and is eaten mostly by Grenada's Mona monkeys.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbz9Cedo0Ok/VrDOpdIlvzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/NYfyyzIrBg0/s1600/wild%2Bcocoa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xbz9Cedo0Ok/VrDOpdIlvzI/AAAAAAAAAq8/NYfyyzIrBg0/s400/wild%2Bcocoa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On this particular trek, Doko and John even found wild cocoa trees, growing as they did centuries ago, before people started cultivating cocoa. The pods are much smaller than typical cocoa pods, and the beans are tiny. They are sweet and delicious, but taste very different from cultivated cocoa beans.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyALCJSWxSo/VrDOk22i9eI/AAAAAAAAAq0/yvcmZJTgQbk/s1600/view%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bhills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gyALCJSWxSo/VrDOk22i9eI/AAAAAAAAAq0/yvcmZJTgQbk/s640/view%2Bfrom%2Bthe%2Bhills.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After feasting on all this wild-growing fruit and cocoa beans, Dorise and John sat back and took in the view. They could hear the bells from the church in the town below. Ah, Grenada!<br />
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<br />CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-12926445562359878792016-02-01T07:30:00.001-08:002016-02-01T07:45:18.814-08:00Professional-Cultural Exchange: CFFI Hosts Visitor-Volunteers from the École hôtelière de MontréalCFFI would like to thank the faculty and students from the Ecole hoteliere de Montreal, who traveled to Grenada last month to participate in a rewarding cultural and professional exchange.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDhlFkHqcaw/Vq9077wwf0I/AAAAAAAAApk/wp3b-bUbE5U/s1600/Canadian%2Bexchange.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xDhlFkHqcaw/Vq9077wwf0I/AAAAAAAAApk/wp3b-bUbE5U/s400/Canadian%2Bexchange.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We at CFFI, along with our friends at Jouvay Chocolate, shared our expertise on growing, harvesting, fermenting, and drying cocoa, and on the process of turning cocoa beans into high-quality chocolate. We also offered our guests the opportunity to meet with farmers from across the island and learn about the wide variety of fruits and spices that grow in Grenada.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NU6b_K3CbpY/Vq904P-9ZBI/AAAAAAAAApg/fW7wl9MKslg/s1600/Canadian%2Bvolontaires.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NU6b_K3CbpY/Vq904P-9ZBI/AAAAAAAAApg/fW7wl9MKslg/s400/Canadian%2Bvolontaires.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">In exchange, our guests shared their culinary expertise with members of our community, including students at the College of Tourism and Hospitality in St. George, and students at the Adult Skill Centre in Victoria.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BvYQYxRHh0/Vq95IiWYKjI/AAAAAAAAAp0/qmSl-njgtNs/s1600/dorise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BvYQYxRHh0/Vq95IiWYKjI/AAAAAAAAAp0/qmSl-njgtNs/s400/dorise.JPG" width="400" /></a></h4>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Special thanks to our devoted board member and volunteer Dorise ("Doko") Kowalewski for working so hard to make the exchange program a wonderful success!</span><br />
<br />CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-67122563508152939542016-01-19T07:03:00.000-08:002016-01-19T07:03:06.244-08:00Developing CFFI's Model Cocoa Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpgbq465X7A/Vp5O3avdevI/AAAAAAAAApI/AYuKMf99zt0/s1600/CocoaFarmBG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kpgbq465X7A/Vp5O3avdevI/AAAAAAAAApI/AYuKMf99zt0/s320/CocoaFarmBG.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Cocoa trees are "understory" rainforest trees.<br />They require the shade provided by the canopy of taller trees. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5cjgFkoxFQ/Vp5K0gUA9dI/AAAAAAAAAo4/7mzXtkmIF9A/s1600/vanilla3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J5cjgFkoxFQ/Vp5K0gUA9dI/AAAAAAAAAo4/7mzXtkmIF9A/s320/vanilla3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">So, after planting some new young cocoa trees and vanilla vines on our model farm, </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">we knew we had to add some shade trees.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U52IQXyVvsM/VpvaBIuBq2I/AAAAAAAAAoU/j6htRA3Qx3Q/s1600/planting%2Bplantains%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U52IQXyVvsM/VpvaBIuBq2I/AAAAAAAAAoU/j6htRA3Qx3Q/s320/planting%2Bplantains%2B2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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We bartered with a local farmer for some plantain trees.<br />Plantain and banana trees are perfect companions for cocoa.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfYRCpVheO0/VpvaGA0nw9I/AAAAAAAAAoc/XxBxB-lwUpg/s1600/planting%2Bplantains%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zfYRCpVheO0/VpvaGA0nw9I/AAAAAAAAAoc/XxBxB-lwUpg/s320/planting%2Bplantains%2B1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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They grow super-fast to just the right height, so they provide shade.<br />They also lend the cocoa complex flavor notes<br />as some of their fruit decomposes in the soil around the trees.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k1FcVhpxrYk/VpvaLSh_ZMI/AAAAAAAAAok/RZTHWImSmNE/s1600/Plantains%2BTrey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k1FcVhpxrYk/VpvaLSh_ZMI/AAAAAAAAAok/RZTHWImSmNE/s320/Plantains%2BTrey.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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This is Trey, who helped up plant our plantains.<br />Trey is the son of Rita, one of the most <br />hard-working members of our Women's Crafts Cooperative.<br />We are grateful to Trey for his beautiful spirit<br />and all his hard work on the model farm!</div>
CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-74904866639320588632016-01-16T15:29:00.000-08:002016-01-16T15:29:33.764-08:00seaweed for compost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiUNEF1cB3A/VprEKeyoz3I/AAAAAAAAAno/WfJlv1y1U2s/s1600/20160111_111025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oiUNEF1cB3A/VprEKeyoz3I/AAAAAAAAAno/WfJlv1y1U2s/s320/20160111_111025.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picking seaweed for the compost</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wc4IKneYr4/VprERyqaVHI/AAAAAAAAAn4/nhUVrmDZqFQ/s1600/20160111_111852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Wc4IKneYr4/VprERyqaVHI/AAAAAAAAAn4/nhUVrmDZqFQ/s320/20160111_111852.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">all packed and ready to go</td></tr>
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<br />CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-25343366678211151342015-12-21T06:43:00.001-08:002015-12-21T06:47:22.342-08:00Our Local Gift Shop<div style="text-align: center;">
If you're in Grenada and looking for a special gift, <br />stop by our beautiful gift shop in Victoria, St. Mark's.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OdJ608TFIw/VngPFY3CikI/AAAAAAAAAm8/D_slSkT5HuA/s1600/Paintings%2Bby%2BDoliver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2OdJ608TFIw/VngPFY3CikI/AAAAAAAAAm8/D_slSkT5HuA/s400/Paintings%2Bby%2BDoliver.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've got unique paintings by local artists...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gjvLfoguas/VngPH8ESMrI/AAAAAAAAAnE/X5ySWxdXsU4/s1600/Gift%2BShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gjvLfoguas/VngPH8ESMrI/AAAAAAAAAnE/X5ySWxdXsU4/s400/Gift%2BShop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful crafts by the members of our cooperative...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VS7uYsFnnU/VngPOZZ3k8I/AAAAAAAAAnM/HSCFbD5mrWI/s1600/Jouvay%2Bat%2Bthe%2BGift%2BShop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VS7uYsFnnU/VngPOZZ3k8I/AAAAAAAAAnM/HSCFbD5mrWI/s400/Jouvay%2Bat%2Bthe%2BGift%2BShop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And exquisite Jouvay chocolate.</td></tr>
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Happy Holidays!</div>
CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-12931085214119654862015-12-18T05:27:00.000-08:002015-12-18T05:30:35.230-08:00Rainy Days in Grenada<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9u2hSw9364/VnQIFMSFRRI/AAAAAAAAAmg/S_P2pKP0e5o/s1600/farmers%2Bmaking%2Bcrafts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9u2hSw9364/VnQIFMSFRRI/AAAAAAAAAmg/S_P2pKP0e5o/s400/farmers%2Bmaking%2Bcrafts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
On rainy days, the workers from our model organic cocoa farm help out with the crafts.</div>
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Here are Kelwin (our farm manager), Kimon, and Ericson.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JCOz5nIxig/VnQII-yR7QI/AAAAAAAAAmo/JTIz6vlyXAI/s1600/making%2Bstars%2Bfrom%2Brecycled%2Bcans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3JCOz5nIxig/VnQII-yR7QI/AAAAAAAAAmo/JTIz6vlyXAI/s400/making%2Bstars%2Bfrom%2Brecycled%2Bcans.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They're making stars from recycled cans.<br />
Cookies courtesy of Doko.</div>
CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-35835227133105812512015-12-15T09:55:00.000-08:002015-12-16T08:36:38.334-08:00CFFI Enters A New Partnership with Grenada's Vanilla Expert<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6U09GCr5ucA/VnBPzw8w0-I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Wtv6998H9dU/s1600/vanilla2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6U09GCr5ucA/VnBPzw8w0-I/AAAAAAAAAlU/Wtv6998H9dU/s320/vanilla2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is Sherwyn, our local vanilla expert. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Liz6H_KyjMo/VnBP4KhfOsI/AAAAAAAAAlc/Npu7Hs6Olg0/s1600/vanilla1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Liz6H_KyjMo/VnBP4KhfOsI/AAAAAAAAAlc/Npu7Hs6Olg0/s320/vanilla1.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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He arrived with a team of farmers to help us plant vanilla, <br />
both on our model organic cocoa farm <br />
and along the route of Jouvay Chocolate's free farm and factory tour. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXmRiBJoP10/VnBQAMr1YpI/AAAAAAAAAls/jKP7WlFTjlc/s1600/vanilla3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXmRiBJoP10/VnBQAMr1YpI/AAAAAAAAAls/jKP7WlFTjlc/s320/vanilla3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Vanilla is actually a vine, a distant relative of the orchid. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuufPG1WxUM/VnBQGm6hRjI/AAAAAAAAAl0/z-2oT5MA20E/s1600/vanilla7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KuufPG1WxUM/VnBQGm6hRjI/AAAAAAAAAl0/z-2oT5MA20E/s320/vanilla7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Vanilla is not easy to grow.<br />It has to be hand-pollinated.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20vEunxIVQ0/VnBQJaMu4qI/AAAAAAAAAl8/WkefDOtkx2A/s1600/vanilla4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-20vEunxIVQ0/VnBQJaMu4qI/AAAAAAAAAl8/WkefDOtkx2A/s320/vanilla4.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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The root end has to be carefully exposed.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5Bg8Y7JeDs/VnBQPxDBMtI/AAAAAAAAAmE/-Vd0G3Vemf4/s1600/vanilla6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g5Bg8Y7JeDs/VnBQPxDBMtI/AAAAAAAAAmE/-Vd0G3Vemf4/s320/vanilla6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But it is a lucrative crop, well-suited to growing conditions in Grenada.<br />
Some cocoa growers may want to add it to their farms.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQbRQWV1Ht4/VnBQTjDNyTI/AAAAAAAAAmM/OUJBHJ2D3bw/s1600/vanilla8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQbRQWV1Ht4/VnBQTjDNyTI/AAAAAAAAAmM/OUJBHJ2D3bw/s320/vanilla8.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Our thanks to Sherwyn and his team!</div>
CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-9173914945484267762015-12-10T06:29:00.000-08:002015-12-10T06:31:02.269-08:00Welcome to the Newest Member of our Women's Crafts Coopertive<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXS2hknERlk/VmgsYpLOn7I/AAAAAAAAAk0/novLvB-GNLg/s1600/Malissia%2BMitchell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fXS2hknERlk/VmgsYpLOn7I/AAAAAAAAAk0/novLvB-GNLg/s320/Malissia%2BMitchell.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Meet Malissia Mitchell, the newest member of CFFI's Crafts Cooperative. Malissia lives with her mother and her two beautiful sons. Her dream is to get her own home for herself and her boys. She's off to a great start at the Crafts Co-op, doing beautiful work and generously sharing her optimistic spirit!CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-10642329519662504142015-11-11T17:00:00.001-08:002015-11-11T17:02:44.080-08:00CFFI Helps Raise Money for "Our Place" Food Pantry and Meal SiteAs a non-profit organization, CFFI spends a lot of time and effort raising funds for our many programs. So we were thrilled to be able to help another worthy non-profit raise money to fulfill its mission.<br />
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Our Place Drop-In Center is a food pantry and meal site that has been serving the community in and around Bellows Falls, VT, for nearly 20 years. At a recent Our Place auction fundraiser, CFFI donated an ecotourism vacation package in Grenada. "Vacation for a Change" is a week-long package that includes room and board, transportation and guided tours around the island, and opportunities to participate in a wide variety of activities, from harvesting cocoa to making authentic local crafts.<br />
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We were happy to learn that "Vacation for a Change" raised more money than any other item in the auction!<br />
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If you'd like to learn more about Our Place Drop-In Center, you can visit their blog at:<br />
<a href="http://ourplacevt.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">ourplacevt.wordpress.com</a><br />
or their Facebook page at:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Our-Place-Drop-In-Center-108093325921/timeline" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/Our-Place-Drop-In-Center-108093325921/timeline</a><br />
<br />CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-63653120332164074292015-11-06T06:15:00.000-08:002015-11-06T06:17:24.495-08:00All set up in Hanover for Christmas Fair with a Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MT1iPq-bjaE/Vjyy7xZDpxI/AAAAAAAAAjU/Ogb8qm2UCW8/s1600/xmasfair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MT1iPq-bjaE/Vjyy7xZDpxI/AAAAAAAAAjU/Ogb8qm2UCW8/s320/xmasfair1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Dorise Kowalewski, our infinitely creative and tireless <br />
board member and volunteer, has arranged these unique<br />
and beautiful crafts made by artisans in Grenada.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3t0w0pEaFQ/VjyzNUU2mzI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Jt5jTDY4Eq0/s1600/xmasfair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t3t0w0pEaFQ/VjyzNUU2mzI/AAAAAAAAAjk/Jt5jTDY4Eq0/s320/xmasfair3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Get ahead on your holiday shopping while <br />
supporting the good work of CFFI</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQxC74H-Yxk/VjyzQNwcAZI/AAAAAAAAAjo/y3Qb73RXBy4/s1600/xmasfair4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vQxC74H-Yxk/VjyzQNwcAZI/AAAAAAAAAjo/y3Qb73RXBy4/s320/xmasfair4.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Our mission is to promote sustainable agriculture,<br />
economic development, and the conservation<br />
of biological diversity in Grenada.</div>
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Happy Holidays!</div>
CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-13406810637499129522015-10-30T15:43:00.002-07:002015-10-30T15:55:39.105-07:00Support CFFI's Women's Crafts Cooperative at the Christmas Market with a Difference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bsWzdmz9xY/VjPwMTHiZRI/AAAAAAAAAic/Gc-zfcy2D3o/s1600/holiday%2Bfair%2Bposter-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--bsWzdmz9xY/VjPwMTHiZRI/AAAAAAAAAic/Gc-zfcy2D3o/s640/holiday%2Bfair%2Bposter-page-001.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Come join us at the
Christmas Market with a Difference</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">in Hanover, New Hampshire</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Thursday and Friday, November 5</span><sup style="line-height: 115%;">th</sup><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> & 6</span><sup style="line-height: 115%;">th</sup></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">10 am – 6 pm</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Saturday, November 7</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">10 am – 1 pm</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbcbN6kyXco/VjPw-0LwjXI/AAAAAAAAAik/EYZ6zhZY-9A/s1600/holiday%2Bpost%2Bcalabash%2Bbags.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IbcbN6kyXco/VjPw-0LwjXI/AAAAAAAAAik/EYZ6zhZY-9A/s320/holiday%2Bpost%2Bcalabash%2Bbags.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Come see all the beautiful crafts <br />created by the member's of CFFI's<br />Women's Crafts Cooperative.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQerGkmkYj8/VjPxZPUZsbI/AAAAAAAAAis/jQMA-hbFRME/s1600/holiday%2Bpost%2Bred%2Bbeads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQerGkmkYj8/VjPxZPUZsbI/AAAAAAAAAis/jQMA-hbFRME/s320/holiday%2Bpost%2Bred%2Bbeads.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Support CFFI and the<br />
members of the Cooperative.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-ddSp6Wksc/VjPyR1uP9YI/AAAAAAAAAi4/7L4ArLbqGiU/s1600/Donna%2527s%2Bson%2BNedon%2Bhelps%2BMom%2Bmake%2Bjewelry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-ddSp6Wksc/VjPyR1uP9YI/AAAAAAAAAi4/7L4ArLbqGiU/s320/Donna%2527s%2Bson%2BNedon%2Bhelps%2BMom%2Bmake%2Bjewelry.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<o:p></o:p></span>CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-477342990798496852.post-42234977218747576322015-10-30T15:19:00.000-07:002015-10-30T15:19:27.097-07:00Thanks to a Special Supporter—Max Felchlin AG<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MLt0mejdbQ/VjPrIJDSciI/AAAAAAAAAiM/6yIxLpB8674/s1600/felchlin%2Bheadquarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9MLt0mejdbQ/VjPrIJDSciI/AAAAAAAAAiM/6yIxLpB8674/s640/felchlin%2Bheadquarters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Max Felchlin Headquarters, Switzerland<o:p></o:p></div>
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CFFI would like to thank Max Felchlin AG, the renowned Swiss
chocolate manufacturer, for its continued generous support. In business for
over 100 years, Felchlin is a chocolate maker’s chocolate maker, known in the
industry for producing the very finest couvertures from the very best cocoa
beans.</div>
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Felchlin is committed to environmental sustainability and
economic fairness, and it demonstrates its commitment in many ways. Felchlin
works directly with cocoa farmers and supports them in every stage of the
production process. Felchlin was CFFI’s first major donor, and it continues to
support us as we provide free training in sustainable agriculture, and a
variety of other services, to Grenada’s cocoa community.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For more information about Felchlin, visit <a href="http://www.felchlin.com/en" target="_blank">http://www.felchlin.com/en</a></div>
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CFFI Grenadahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106629793771229808noreply@blogger.com0