Martin Havlovic, a former Rotarian and Professor Emeritus at UW Wisconsin, shared a presentation of a Tanzanian Outreach program called Soya ni Pesa...Soybeans is Money. He spent 7 years in Africa while in the Peace Corps, teaching Agricultural and Oxen Farming. After 31 years teaching through UW Extension he retired and participates in USAID projects. This outreach program trains leaders and farmers across the East Africa region to develop a standardized training manual for businesses. In a Country of 60 million people (twice the size of CA), the average gross income is $600 and 40% of the population is under 15 years old. Many modest farms have never learned how to keep records or what their break even point is. While maize is the primary crop grown, a Soybean cash crop market for export to China is opportunity, as are hog-swine farms. He showed pictures of the outdoor classes and pictures of farm practices that are basic but vital to supporting the families and communities. Since this trip, 4 Ag Extension Agents have returned to continue to train local AG Agents so the sharing of knowledge goes on. If you'd like to watch a video about Soya ni Pesa, here is one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdfUA1aebZ0

The Monticello Rotary Club is currently raising money for a water well to be built in 2019. For more information about that project, contact Christa. https://www.monticellomnrotary.com/