Our Speaker Robynne Anderson
Posted by Brent Buechler
Robynne Anderson is the founder of Emerging Ag Inc., which is a consulting firm to the agriculture sector that applies a multi-disciplinary approach to issues management. Emerging Ag’s services include the ability to understand global priorities, the development and explanation of sustainability plans, the articulation of organizational goals, near and long-term strategies, and coalition creation.
Catherine Brownlee introduced keynote speaker Ms. Robynne Anderson as an international expert in agricultural and food policies. Robynne’s knowledge and experience includes issues management and strategic development with clients ranging from farmers to food processors, scientists and governments. She represents accredited organizations at the United Nations highlighted by establishing the first Private Sector Mechanism representing agribusiness at the UN Committee on Wold Food Security. Robynne’s leadership including the role of women in farming, the importance of post-harvest losses and food waste in food security.
Robynne’s presentation focused on a special project the Orphan & Vulnerable Children Schools Project at Manyinga Community Resource Centre in Zambia. This initiative has a fifty year history led by twelve Canadian women which showcases the deep impact that can be achieved with limited financial resources, ingenuity, and deep commitment.
The school has four hundred students enrolled in grades one to seven whose learning is diverse and led by local teachers. Priority areas of learning include English Language skills (Zambia’s National language) and Agricultural Programs to instill both agricultural knowledge and basic life skills. Students participate in growing a garden which at harvest distributes 50% of harvest results supports the school’s feeding program for students and celebration while 50% is sold at markets.
Agriculture is 85-90% of local economic activity so it is vital to instill student knowledge, participation, and life skills development. Through Robynne’s Canadian group and their agricultural backgrounds they have doubled yields through introduction of fertilizer, supported mixed farming practices, invested in first aid and hygiene kits.
The critical issue of this remote area is access to water. During dry season the only water sources have been river and puddles which has health issues. Closest wells were more than 50 km away. Drilling two functioning wells is critical priority for a long cue of African communities. This is a barrier to this community’s well being. The Canadian group take a practical approach to their community development efforts: understanding local conditions and needs, operating in an environment with limited electricity, meaningful engagement and consultation with parent and local committees as partners, and instilling spirit of celebration in all that they do together.
Celebration includes how much can be achieved through knowledge, passion and very limited financial resources. $45,000/year funds 2 schools at $20,000/year and empowers 400-500 kids per year with education and life skills. Robynne's long-term long-term aspiration is for her charitable organization to transfer responsibilities and funding for these two schools from their charitable organization to the Zambia government becoming public schools, aligning curriculum, and funding the teachers.
Steve Allen thanked our speaker.
Robynne Anderson