In a land where cultivated soil is rare, hunger is rampant and poverty is prevalent - there is a new form of farming in Haiti that is making all the difference in the world - rabbit farming. I first learned about this from my friends the Pasternak's. They own the Devils Gulch Ranch in Nicasio, Calfornia. In addition to growing grapes, and raising livestock, Myriam Pasternak also raises rabbits. Lots of rabbits. She sells them as a delicacy to the best restaurants in the SF Bay Area - The French Laundry, Chez Panisse and many more.
Four years ago Myriam had an inspiration to help Haitians. First she traveled to the country and saw how much of the land had been destroyed from deforestation. It would be difficult to return the country to a primarily based economy on agricultural land, as it once was. She then thought about her rabbit business in California and that it was a knowledge she thought she could pass on.
Rabbit Farming has many benefits. Rabbit meat is an excellent source of nutrition and protein. The meat can be eaten by the farming family and also sold to restaurants in Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitian, the Dominican Republic and eventually America. So the rabbits become a source of food plus a source of income. In a country where the typical monthly household makes $50 per month, a family can double or triple their income with rabbit farming.
Myriam has helped start ____ rabbit farms in Haiti. She teaches villagers how to construct cages, the diet for rabbits , how to prevent diseases, reproduction of rabbits, slaughter and meat quality control. Myriam passes along her knowledge as both a veterinarian and an experienced rabbit farmer. After a farm is established Myriam teaches them management of the farm to keep it successfully running. Dehydration is a very important issue, especially in their hot climate. Cages need to be placed in an area that offers shade and access to water. Feeding the rabbits the proper food includes growing the right kinds of grasses for the rabbits to eat. Rabbits also need legumes for a good source of protein. Pests can also be a big issue. There are ways to raise rabbits and minimize pests. A family can double or triple their monthly income to $100 to $150 a month. One very successful rabbit farmer in Haiti is now making $700 a month and has hired an employee.
Myriam is working with US Aid, ___, ____ and local orphanages in Haiti. Barbara ___ works with a group of 42 orphanages in Haiti. My dad and I met with Myriam and Barbara to see how we could help the orphanages start rabbit farms. First they explained why Haiti is in such terrible trouble. The history of Haiti - the pigs, Aids, the orphans, hurricanes, deforestation.
It wasn't always all bad in Haiti. They used to have a local pig, they were as large as our pigs but did not need as much food or care. The pigs were a good source of food for the Haitians. When the English colonized the area they decided to slaughter the Haitian pig in favor of their own pig - exterminating all the natural Haitian pigs. The Haitians were not able to care or feed the new pigs which required much more food. Eventually these pigs died out. We hope the rabbit can take place of the pig and help create a solution for the Haitians.
How can we help?
First we looked to identify who could we work with in Haiti. The largest single group of Haitians are Christians. They are the folks getting things done for the neediest. To give you more clarity about that one - the world population is made up of 32% Christians. 98% of all Haitians are Christians.
There are many Christian organizations in Haiti that provide life saving food, shelter and education for Haiti's neediest. We met Barbara _____ , through our rabbit farming California friends. Barbara helps 42 orphanages in Haiti run by missionaries. Our goal is to teach the orphanages rabbit farming.
Here is the link to a blog of a missionary that is already working with rabbits. http://pwojeespwa.blogspot.com/2007/08/rabbit-farm.html
To achieve our goal, communication is vital. The Internet would be a perfect solution - but most orphanages don't have power or computers. Part one of this plan is to get solar power in the villages. My dad is an architect and he is helping coordinate with Engineers Without Borders and local manufactures of solar equipment to both donate and install solar panels in Haiti. The next step will be to collect laptops. We think that will be easier to accomplish.
More thoughts on Rabbit Farming. Michael Pollan, author of Omnivores Dilemma makes reference to visiting Polyface Farm. Here farmer Joel Salatin, who has a "passion for healing the land" and working off the grid has developed a successful means of stacking in his rabbit and hen barn "Rachen". I am going to research this more. There looks like their could be other opportunities for Haiti in farmer Salatin's methods.
Comments