Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) Recognizes Major Bowen and members of the International Development Working Group (IDWG)

CNFA Director of Global Security elected as the new Vice Chair of the IDWG

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On November 16, the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) presented its 2017 Common Interest Council Award to CNFA Director of Global Security Major Bowen in recognition of the broader International Development Working Group (IDWG) team. Bowen, who was in turn elected as the new Vice Chair of the OSAC IDWG, has been an active member of OSAC since 2015 and a voting member of the IDWG since July 2016.

The award recognized the IDWG’s efforts to increase engagement of the international development community and is given each year to an OSAC member whose leadership promotes the importance of information sharing in public-private collaboration in the security realm.

As Vice Chair of the IDWG, Bowen will continue to engage with partners across public and private spheres towards elevating the discourse of global security professionals working in international development.

Bowen joined CNFA (Cultivating New Frontier in Agriculture), an international agricultural development organization, in 2015 to oversee the safety and security of CNFA’s staff, business infrastructure and in-country operations.

“Major understands that our people are our greatest asset,” said CNFA President and CEO Sylvain Roy. “He has worked tirelessly with our staff and public and private partners worldwide to promote information sharing to enhance security and an emphasis on developing local relationships that ensure we can achieve our mission day-in and day-out. The OSAC IDWG team has gained an experienced new leader with Major, and I know they will benefit as much from his unique insight as we do at CNFA.”

Before joining CNFA, Bowen worked as a Lead Operations Officer with the Department of State and focused on Counter-Violent Extremism (CVE), political violence and conflict mitigation initiatives in sub-Sahara Africa. His experience also includes work as a Regional Team Leader and Regional Operations Officer implementing USAID contracts in Iraq, among other assignments, and as a Senior Governance Specialist. He has over 25 combined years of experience in the active and reserve components of the U.S. Army and has served in combat, stability, counterinsurgency and peace enforcement operations around the world.

CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives.  CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups.  Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 45 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

For more information, visit www.CNFA.org.

Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestlé Maize Quality Improvement Partnership

KADUNA, Nigeria — Today, public and private-sector partners announced a new program leveraging the expertise of volunteers to train farmers, workers and small agricultural businesses in Kaduna State to reduce crop contaminants in order to sustainably increase the safety and quality of maize and soybeans and improve the health, nutrition and livelihoods in this community: Feed the Future Nigeria and Nestlé Maize Quality Improvement Partnership.

Post-harvest losses due to poor farming practices and high levels of mycotoxins, such as aflatoxin, and other contaminants have plagued staple crops such as maize and soybean, making it much harder for small-holder farmers to earn a decent income. These mycotoxins also threaten the health and lives of humans and animals. These contaminants lead to cancer and fatal kidney and liver failure. In children, aflatoxin poisoning causes stunting, immune suppression and death.

The partners for this new public-private partnership are committed to reducing the deadly threat of these dangerous crop contaminants. The partners are U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Nestlé, Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) and VEGA Member Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA). Please see their quotes below.

For the past three years, Nestlé has been working with farmers to improve their farming practices, the safety and quality of their crops, and thus their incomes. This new partnership is expected to significantly expand upon these efforts, reaching many more farmers and other agro-industry entrepreneurs within the value chain.

Over the next three years, a team of experts and volunteers led by CNFA will design and deliver an innovative training program for reducing aflatoxins and other contaminants in grain and maize to farmers and supply chain intermediaries. International experts in mycotoxin mitigation in crops have agreed to provide volunteer advisory services on this project. Through a train-the-trainer approach, the program will build the capacity of local associations and 150 local youth volunteers to train more than 20,000 smallholder farmers—including 40 percent women—increasing the sales of better quality maize and soybean by at least 17,000 metric tons annually. More than 200 for-profit private enterprises, such as farm service retailers, will also be trained and supported in improving their technologies and management practices. Empowerment of participants throughout the supply chain will create a culture of transparency and traceability, leading to decisions that ensure a high quality and safe product. The resulting increased grain and maize sales will boost incomes and help farmers and small business operators improve their livelihoods.

The team working with Nigerian farmers, agri-business intermediaries and sales agents will also include experts from Purdue University in the U.S. and Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies and Lifelong Learning in Nigeria.

USAID Mission Director Stephen M. Haykin: “This public-private partnership supported by Feed the Future will help lift farmers out of poverty by sharing best practices in agriculture activities and focusing on value chains. Providing farmers and suppliers the knowledge and tools to improve their product will help them garner higher selling prices and increase household incomes. Investments in this program from Nestlé and through the in-kind contributions of volunteers really stretch U.S. taxpayer dollars and increase the return on investment.”

Mr. Mauricio Alarcon, CEO and managing director, Nestlé Nigeria: “This partnership will contribute to our efforts to increase the local sourcing of raw materials which is at 82% since 2016. In line with our commitment to Creating Shared Value, Nestlé is happy to work together with CNFA, USAID and VEGA to achieve our mutual objectives of helping to build thriving, resilient communities by improving the livelihoods of individuals and families with whom Nestlé lives and works. We are confident that this program will help to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future.”

Sylvain Roy, CNFA president & CEO: “The new VEGA partnership will allow CNFA to apply our unique expertise in supporting smallholder farmers around the globe to improve our new beneficiaries’ capacity to supply processors—one of the fundamental linkages in the agricultural value chain. CNFA shares a commitment with our partners to building local technical expertise and capacity for sustainable impact and change, and we intend to leverage all of our capabilities—development, agriculture training, skilled volunteers and more—to ensure the success of this public-private partnership, and to empower smallholder farmers and business people along the supply chain—including women, youth and families.”

Michael Deal, president and CEO, VEGA: “VEGA is very pleased to have brought these partners together to create sustainable supply chain solutions to enhance the well-being of farmers, small business owners and families in Nigeria. This partnership serves as a model multi-stakeholder collaboration to leverage highly skilled volunteers to generate more prosperity and shared value for all partners. VEGA will continue to coordinate the collaboration of our partners and ensure rigorous results.”

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U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead U.S. government development agency. USAID works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. U.S. foreign assistance furthers America’s interests while improving lives in the developing world. USAID carries out U.S. foreign policy by promoting broad-scale human progress at the same time it expands stable, free societies, creates markets and trade partners for the United States, and fosters good will abroad.

Nestlé is the world’s largest food and beverage company. Nestlé has more than 2000 brands ranging from global icons to local favourites, and is present in 191 countries around the world. Nestlé’s purpose is enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future. The company wants to help shape a better and healthier world. Nestlé also wants to inspire people to live healthier lives. Creating Shared Value is how the company contributes to society while ensuring the long-term success of the business.
CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives. CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups. Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 44 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latina America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA) is a consortium of 29 member organizations that generate more prosperity through partnerships that bring together highly skilled volunteers with people around the globe seeking more economic opportunities. VEGA is a consortium of non-governmental organizations that generate more prosperity through partnerships that bring together highly skilled volunteers with people around the globe seeking more economic opportunities. VEGA works with leading corporations, mission-driven nonprofits and USAID overseas missions to collectively address economic growth challenges. Since 2004, VEGA has administered 59 global development programs in 46 countries.

Veteran Agricultural Businesswoman to Assume Helm of CNFA Board

WASHINGTON, D.C. — CNFA (Cultivating New Frontier in Agriculture), an international agricultural development organization, announced that farmer and businesswoman Elin Miller has been appointed to chair the CNFA Board of Directors. Miller was voted into the position with the unanimous support of board members following CNFA’s fall board meeting at its Washington, D.C. headquarters.

Miller, who owns and manages the UmpquaNut hazelnut farm and Umpqua Vineyards in Oregon, replaces John J. Cavanaugh, an attorney and former U.S. Representative from Nebraska who has chaired the board since 2014. Cavanaugh will continue to serve as a member of the CNFA board.

“I am honored to have been able to contribute to the important advances that CNFA has made during my tenure,” said Cavanaugh. “I also am pleased to leave the chair in good hands. Elin brings CNFA a perfect balance of farming and corporate executive experience. I am confident she will provide the kind of high-quality, senior leadership required to further advance and expand CNFA’s enterprise-based, agricultural development initiatives.”

CNFA works with businesses, foundations, governments and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food.

Miller formerly served in a number of top global leadership positions at Dow Chemical Co., including global vice president of public affairs, vice president of pest management, and vice president Asia Pacific. Among her government positions, Miller held an appointment as regional administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, with oversight of Alaska, Idaho, Washington and Oregon. She also has held numerous leadership positions on the boards of for-profit and non-profit organizations.

“Elin has gained valuable insights into CNFA’s goals both in the boardroom and on the ground,” said CNFA President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Roy. “Her decades of experience gained at the top levels of business and government—combined with her service as a CNFA board member and her volunteer work in the Farmer to Farmer Program—have prepared her with an excellent set of tools to ensure CNFA accomplishes its mission.”

“I would like to thank the board for entrusting me with a new role in CNFA’s efforts to improve livelihoods through agriculture,” Miller said. “I look forward to working with the board to build on CNFA’s successes, and to expand our growing portfolio of public-private partnerships.”

In addition to her farming business, Miller also advises major corporations, offering them high-level counseling in strategic planning, regulatory and public affairs strategy, and C-suite recruitment.

Miller holds a Bachelor of Science in agronomy and plant protection from the University of Arizona, and is a graduate of the INSEAD Advanced Management Program.

CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives.  CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and

fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups.  Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 45 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

For more information, visit www.CNFA.org.

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Contact: publicrelations@cnfa.org

Phone: 202.296.3920

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 20, 2017 — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Livestock Market Development activity, today handed over approximately $800,000 (nearly 18.4 million Ethiopian Birr) worth of dairy processing equipment to 24 grantees operating in the Amhara, Oromia, SNNP and Tigray regions. Through these grants, thousands of smallholder farmers will have access to reliable buyers, and tens of thousands of consumers will gain access to formally processed dairy and meat products. Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international agricultural development organization, announced that Tony L. Butler-Sims has been promoted to Vice President – Talent Engagement.

In this role, Butler-Sims will partner with the organization’s leadership team and key stakeholders to develop and advance a values-driven workplace culture, address current talent requirements and forecast future talent needs.

“CNFA’s staff is our main asset in serving thousands of farmers and agribusiness entrepreneurs around the world,” said CNFA President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Roy. “Tony’s appointment to this important position is another example of CNFA’s commitment to empowering its people so they can implement our projects in ways that generate effective results in project implementation.”

Butler-Sims joined CNFA in 2015 as Senior Director of Global Human Resources and Administration. In this role, he provided oversight of HR administration, training, career development, compensation and benefits management, talent management, employee relations and compliance, and served as human resources, administration and information technology staff team leader. Additionally, he also oversaw the safety and security function for CNFA’s global staff.

“Tony will play a key role in CNFA’s efforts to attract, recruit and retain top agricultural experts and project managers to fill our growing requirements as we expand our mission around the world,” Roy said. “I am confident he will continue to provide the kind of sophisticated human resources leadership and oversight we have come to expect from him during his tenure at CNFA.”

Prior to joining CNFA, Butler-Sims served as Director of Human Resources and Administration for Cardno Emerging Markets, where he was responsible for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Before that, he also served as Director of Labor and Employee Relations at MVM Inc., a federal government contractor in Northern Virginia; and as Assistant Director of Human Resources at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees in Washington, D.C.

A veteran of the U.S. Army, Butler-Sims holds a Masters of Business Administration from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., a Bachelors of Science from Central Texas College, and the designation of Senior Certified Professional from the Society of Human Resource Management.

CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives.  CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups.  Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 44 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latina America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — CNFA, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, announced that agribusiness entrepreneur Doug Keesling has been appointed to join the CNFA Board of Directors.

Keesling, a fifth-generation farmer, owns and operates Keesling Farms, which grows wheat, corn, soybeans, grain sorghum, and forages on a 2,500 family-owned acre operation located in Chase, Kansas.

“As a lifelong farmer, Doug will bring a unique, hands-on perspective to the CNFA board,” said CNFA Chairman John J. Cavanaugh. “Farming is deeply ingrained in his family history, so his participation will help ensure that our programs address both the practical and entrepreneurial aspects of agriculture.”

A former chairman and current member of the Kansas Wheat Commission, Keesling was instrumental in the formation of the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, and has represented the organization in trade missions to Cuba, Iraq, Africa and Central America.

“Doug has been involved in nearly every aspect of agriculture—both as an active, hands-on farmer and businessman, and as a domestic and international advocate,” said CNFA President and Chief Executive Officer Sylvain Roy. “This range of broad experience has provided him with a deep understanding of the critical role that agriculture plays as an engine for economic growth and rural community development. These attributes are ideally matched to CNFA’s mission to use market-driven approaches to bring sustainable agricultural development to underserved regions of the world.”

CNFA works with businesses, foundations, governments and communities to build customized local and global partnerships that meet the world’s growing demand for food.

“CNFA promotes entrepreneurship as an essential key to improving the economic and social well-being of farmers around the world,” Keesling said. “I look forward to working with other CNFA board members to further replicate this successful approach to elevate the livelihoods of the world’s farmers, and their families and communities.”

CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives.  CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups.  Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 44 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latina America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

Two new FSCs are one-stop shops for high quality agricultural inputs

ARSI ZONE, Ethiopia — On March 22 and 23, 2017, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA Europe) under GIZ Ethiopia’s Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector (GIAF)-Ethiopia portfolio commemorated the inauguration of two Farm Service Centers (FSCs) in the Iteya and Arsi-Robe woredas of the Arsi Zone of Oromia Regional State. The FSCs are market-based, one-stop-shops that provide high-quality agricultural inputs, services and training to smallholder farmers at affordable prices, and are the cornerstone of the Farm Service Center Project (FSCP) implemented by CNFA Europe.

To inaugurate the new FSCs, FSCP-GIAF-Ethiopia partnered with Ethiopian entrepreneur Alemu Agricultural Inputs Enterprise for the Iteya FSC, and Dida Farmers’ Cooperative Union for the Robe FSC. Each FSC owner received a 1:1 matching investment of €30,000 to establish the centers. Each center is equipped with a complete range of quality agricultural inputs and employs skilled staff to provide services, training and information, to smallholder farmers.

The inaugural events were attended by more than 400 representatives from government organizations, GIZ, input suppliers, private enterprises, and other stakeholders, including federal and regional government officials from the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Oromia Bureau of Agriculture, and Zonal and woreda officials from Arsi Zone.

Keynote speeches were delivered at the inaugurations of both FSCs by Ato Zebdious Selato and Ato Kasim Ahmed, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Natural Resources and the Arsi Zone Woreda Administration office, respectively.

Additional participants included the GIZ-Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector (GIAF) Program Manager, Dr. Gerold Rahmann, representatives from other implementers of GIZ-GIAF programs in Ethiopia, smallholder farmers, and representatives from the private sector, the Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), EGAA PLC, the media, and other stakeholders.

Both Farm Service Center stores are now open for business and will continue to procure the appropriate inputs to serve smallholder farmers in the region in order to improve their food security, livelihoods and incomes.

For more information, please e-mail Rebeka Amha at ramha@cnfaethiopia.org.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international agricultural development organization, announced that Eddie Keturakis has been named to serve as CNFA’s Vice President of Business Development, effective March 13, 2017.

In his role as Vice President of Business Development, Mr. Keturakis will lead CNFA’s new business process, including identification of upcoming opportunities, development of strategic partnerships, technical writing and management of multiple proposal teams. He also will contribute to the design of CNFA’s private-sector-driven programs.

“Ed’s diverse background in agriculture, agribusiness, international development and project management make him uniquely qualified to drive our new business development efforts,” said CNFA President and CEO Sylvain Roy. “Having worked on a farm and served in the Peace Corps, Ed also brings with him a ground-level understanding of the inner workings of agriculture in addition to his senior management and financial expertise. CNFA looks forward to working with Ed to pursue new programs and initiatives to further our mission.”

Prior to joining CNFA, Mr. Keturakis served as a Senior Agribusiness Specialist within the Global Practice for Trade & Competitiveness at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group. In that role, he worked with Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce in more than 20 Asian and African countries to help implement agricultural regulatory reforms, including the reform of regulations governing the poultry and dairy sub-sectors in Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria. Before that, he also served for several years on the business development staff of Abt Associates.

In other roles throughout his career, Mr. Keturakis has managed USAID-funded projects, advised agribusiness development programs throughout Africa and Asia, and served as a co-owner of a small processed food export and marketing company.

Mr. Keturakis began his career as an agro-forestry volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in Niger. He holds a B.A. in biology from Benedictine College, an M.Sc in Biology from Truman State University, and an M.Sc. in Food Processing Engineering from ENSIA-SIARC (Ecole National Supérieur des Industries Agricoles et Alimentaires; Section Industries Agroalimentaires Régions Chaudes) in France.

CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international agricultural development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives.  CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups.  Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 44 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latina America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

Welcomes Minister of Agriculture, Levan Davitashvili to their headquarters

 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA), an international development organization, welcomed His Excellency Levan Davitashvili, Minister of Agriculture of Georgia, to Washington, D.C., to meet with CNFA senior management and participate in an informal commemoration of CNFA’s decade of contributions to agricultural development initiatives in that nation.

“We were honored to have this opportunity to welcome Minister Davitashvili, and to convey our sincere desire to continue to pursue goals of mutual interest as we expand our mission to create successful agricultural enterprises and foster economic growth in Georgia,” said CNFA Europe Chairman and Founder of CNFA John H. Costello.

“New skills and approaches can be taught,” Minister Davitashvili told the group, “but entrepreneurship—and the initiative that comes with it—is the key to the success of the Georgian agriculture sector. We now have an opportunity to apply CNFA’s focus on agricultural entrepreneurship—and its competitive matching grant model—to future state programs led by the Ministry of Agriculture.”

Mr. Costello and other members of CNFA’s Board of Directors, in June of this year, traveled to Georgia to mark the organization’s 10th anniversary in the country by visiting CNFA-supported Farm and Machinery Service Centers and by hosting a Conference and Grantee Fair at Expo Georgia in Tbilisi.

During that trip, Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili awarded Mr. Costello the nation’s highest honor for non-Georgian citizens, the Order of the Golden Fleece, in recognition of his leadership of CNFA’s service to the Georgian people. Last week, at the 19^th Annual Conference of the America Georgia Business Council (AGBC) attended by Minister Davitashvili, Mr. Costello and other CNFA officers, AGBC President Mamuka Tsereteli once again recognized Mr. Costello for the award.

Left-to-right: CNFA Chief Operating Officer Alan Pieper, Minister of Agriculture Levan Davitashvili, CNFA Europe Chairman and Founder of CNFA John H. Costello

Mr. Costello credited CNFA’s Georgian partners for their role in advancing the organization’s initiatives.

“CNFA and the people of Georgia have worked together on truly transformative projects over the past decade,” Mr. Costello said. “The enthusiastic participation and entrepreneurial spirit of the Georgian people has been crucial to our mutual success. CNFA is dedicated to returning that enthusiasm by continuing to build on those successes.”

CNFA has completed five projects in Georgia, including four USAID-funded initiatives—the Georgia Agricultural Risk Reduction Program, which impacted the needs of roughly 40,000 farm families and internally displaced persons in their recovery from the economic impact of conflict, the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, the Access to Mechanization Project, and the agricultural component of the Economic Prosperity Initiative; the Millennium Challenge Corporation funded the Agribusiness Development Activity. Four other initiatives are currently ongoing, including the Georgia Hazelnut Improvement Project, the Rural Economic Development Program, Restoring Efficiency to Agriculture Production Project, and a program promoting EU DCFTA Standards within Georgian Agriculture. In total, these diverse initiatives have supported more than 430 Georgian agribusinesses and provided technical and professional development to over 140,000 individuals.

 About CNFA: Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, an international development organization, specializes in designing sustainable, market-led agricultural initiatives. CNFA builds strong local and global partnerships, incorporates innovative approaches in its programs, and fosters inclusive development to offer enhanced opportunities to under-served groups.  Since 1985, CNFA has managed more than $600 million in donor-funded agriculture development programs and has worked in 44 countries across the world in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latina America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, and South and Central Asia.

Contact:

Email: PublicRelations@cnfa.org

Phone: 202.296.3920