NEWSLETTER: First Practical, High Production Crop Cultivation Training

In addition to our ongoing and successful work in developing and supporting agriculture development projects for poor women and their families, the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund and its Founder and Program Director, John McCready, are also working diligently on collaborating with Hope Africa University and the Free Methodist Church of Burundi on (1) improving the University’s Agriculture Program and (2) developing the critical Agriculture Extension Program to help community farmers receive practical agriculture training and, thereby, increase their agriculture productivity.

In September of 2021, the United States Advisory Committee of the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund (HMODF) had a special discussion on Partnership and Collaboration of Agriculture Development Activities in Burundi; Bishop Linda Adams, Mr. Lloyd Ganton, Rev. Burton Hamilton, Bishop David Kendall, Dr. John McCready and Rev. Mark Van Valin. From the discussion, it was obvious that there was unanimous support for John McCready to explore the possibilities and opportunities for the HMODF to collaborate on agriculture development with the Free Methodist Church of Burundi (the Church), Hope Africa University (the University) and Friends of Hope Africa University (Friends)

Fortunately, a lot has happened since the special discussion took place. John has strengthened his working relationships with the Church, Bishop Déogratias NSHIMIYIMANA and Executive Secretary Evariste BIMENYIMANA; Friends, President Betty Overton; and, the University, Rector Servilien NITUNGA and the University’s senior staff members. Yes, the collaborative support from the Church and University for the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund (HMODF) and its Program Director John McCready has never been stronger.

Improving the University’s Agriculture Program 

A few years ago, the University started an Agriculture Program but the new program did not include any practical, high production crop cultivation training. Last November, the University, the Church and the HMODF collaborated with Foundations for Farming on conducting a highly-successful and well-received two-week Agriculture Internship Enhancement Program. The Enhancement Program, supported by Rector Servilien NITUNGA and designed and organized by John McCready, included presentations from all of the collaborating organizations and Foundations for Farming’s hands-on practical training on composting, a visit to the Foundations for Farming Eden Training Centre and their demonstration fields and onsite visits to the Church’s community farming projects. This year, the University, the Church and the HMODF are collaborating again on improving the University’s entire six-month Agriculture Internship Program; July through December. The main improvement so far is the inclusion of the critical practical, high production crop cultivation training and it is currently well underway.

Developing New Partnerships

The practical crop cultivation training requires land and John McCready was able to arrange for the training to take place at the nearby Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Market Gardening and Fruit Service that is located next to the Van Norman Clinic.

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Market Gardening and Fruit Service: Promotion of Fruits and Vegetables

The use of the land only became possible because of the cooperation and support of the Market Gardening and Fruit Service Centre and the leadership and collaboration of Chief Eugene MANIRAMBONA.

Chief Eugene MANIRAMBONA

To be able to provide practical, high production crop cultivation training, we needed knowledgeable and experienced practical crop cultivation experts; a highly-skilled training team, and John McCready was able involve Foundations for Farming. The practical crop cultivation training is being voluntarily provided by Foundations for Farming which shares our mission of extending accessible practical agriculture training, accessible practical demonstration and accessible practical support to community farmers throughout Burundi.

The practical, high production crop cultivation training only became possible because of the cooperation and support of Foundations for Farming and the leadership and collaboration of Donna Bloomfield.

Donna Bloomfield

The practical, high production crop cultivation training only became possible because of the cooperation and support of Foundations for Farming and the leadership and collaboration of Murungwa IRAKOZE.

Murungwa John IRAKOZE

Foundations for Farming

Foundations for Farming, formerly known as Farming God’s Way, … aims to bring transformation to individuals, communities and nations through faithful and productive use of the land, leading to long-term sustainable development. Yields are significantly higher (at least 6x) than conventional farming methods, when principles are applied faithfully and the same land is used year after year. 

Foundations for Farming in Burundi – Hope for Tomorrow Global  

Foundations for Farming implements the principles of conservation agriculture, so there’s no ploughing and only minimal soil disturbance. There’s no burning and the soil is covered with mulch and crops are rotated each season. This emphasis on stewardship of the land leads to increased yields while also protecting the environment. 

Foundations for Farming methods increase production by faithfully applying 4 key management principles:

  1. On time – Planning ahead, preparing well, starting early, don’t be late!
  2. High standards – Do everything as well as you can without taking short cuts, be honest and honourable
  3. Without wastage – Don’t waste time, soil, water, nutrients, energy or opportunities
  4. With joy – Doing these things faithfully and with thankfulness will help eradicate fear and despair and will bring hope and joy, which brings strength!

Practical, High Production Crop Cultivation Training

The practical training focuses on cultivating corn and soybeans and includes instruction, skill development and supervised direct practice on composting, mulching, planting, watering and much more. The practical training began ahead of the rain and the normal planting season so the students would be able to practice all of the steps for the entire crop cultivation process; planting to harvesting. Accordingly, a lot of watering is required.

The following description of the practical, high production crop cultivation training includes photographs and excepts from Vanilla DUSHIME who is the new Head of Communication for Hope Africa University. Thank you very much Vanilla. At the end of this Newsletter, there is a link to a video that shows the fields where the practical crop cultivation is taking place.

Vanilla DUSHIME, Head of Communication for Hope Africa University:

🤝These activities were organized by Hope Africa University in collaboration with the Haley McCready Outreach Development Fund and the association Foundations for Farming. This initiative reflects Hope Africa University’s ongoing commitment to providing quality training to its students while promoting applied research in service of community development.

The HAU Internship practical training is organized and scheduled as follows.

  • A visit to Foundation for Farming’s Eden Training Centre and their Muzinda Demonstration Fields (June 20th)
  • Foundations for Farming prepares some of the land and begins some planting for demonstration purposes (June 26th)
  • An intense five-day practical training program that includes the 12 lessons on the Foundations for Farming methods (July 28th to August 1st)
  • Students make weekly field visits to practice implementing the 12 lessons and caring for the growing plants (August through to harvest)
  • Foundations for Farming trainers make about 12 follow-up monitoring and training visits for students; the follow-up visits with students take place Tuesday mornings every two weeks or as needed and required (August through to harvest)

Vanilla DUSHIME, Head of Communication for Hope Africa University:

✅ Organized by Hope Africa University in partnership with the Haley McCready Outreach Development Fund (HMODF) and Foundations for Farming, this training is structured in two parts: theoretical sessions in the morning and hands-on field activities in the afternoon.

Visit to Foundations for Farming Eden Training Centre 

In the morning at the Eden Centre, the students were provided with an introduction and overview of the Foundations for Farming Program.

Murungwa and Donna Presenting to the Students
Singing’s Good

In the afternoon, the students made a visit to the demonstration fields and met with beneficiaries of the Foundations for Farming Program.

Foundations for Farming Training Team with Dr. Allan and Cyprien
Students Visiting a Demonstration Field of Small Plants with Mulching
Tall and Healthy Corn Stalks Benefiting from Mulching
Students Listening to a Grateful Beneficiary
The Obligatory Family Photo at the Demonstration Fields

Vanilla DUSHIME, Head of Communication for Hope Africa University:

(Regarding the Training Session)

🌱Since Monday, July 28th, 2025, students from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science at Hope Africa University have been participating in an intensive training on good agricultural practices, as part of their final internship which began on July 1st.

Compost Training 

Developing compost requires stacking layers of dry brown plant material, twigs, green plant material, manure and adding water.

Stacking the Compost Pile
Finishing the Compost Pile

Mulching Training 

Mulch is any material used to cover soil surfaces and the use of mulch is called mulching. Mulching retains water, prevents drying, adds nutrients, suppresses weeds, reduces erosion, reduces compaction and protects roots from extreme temperatures.
Demonstrating the Water Retention Value of Mulching
Laying Down the Mulch
Using Dried Corn Stalks as Mulching

Planting Training 

Clearing the Field
Preparing Rows and Holes for Planting Seeds
Small Corn and Soybean Plants with Mulching
Growing Soybeans
Growing Corn Plants and Watering Equipment
Growing Soybean Plants Getting Bigger
Growing Corn Plants Getting Bigger

Vanilla DUSHIME, Head of Communication for Hope Africa University:

📌On Wednesday, the activities were graced by the presence of university administrators, including the Vice-Rector, who came to encourage the students on-site. Also present were the Head of Research Centers, the Secretary of the Research Directorate, and the Department Head, all involved in supervising and supporting the initiative.

The special guests included Vice-Rector Edouard NIYONGABO, Secretary of the Research Directorate Emmanuel MVUYEKURE and Head of the Agriculture Program Cyprien NTUNZWENIMANA.

Special Guests: Dr. Edouard, Cyprien and Emmanuel
Special Guests and Murungwa (John) IRAKOZE and Liliane BUTOYI
Mulching Demonstration: Emmanuel, Murungwa, Cyprien, Aimable and Liliane

Vanilla DUSHIME, Head of Communication for Hope Africa University:

🎓This training, which concludes on Friday, reflects Hope Africa University’s ongoing dedication to delivering quality education that combines theory and practice, and to advancing applied research in support of sustainable agricultural development.

(Regarding the Certificate Awarding Ceremony)

📚After four days of training on good agricultural practices, students from the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAZ) of Hope Africa University received their certificates of participation on Friday, August 1st, 2025.

🥳The ceremony was honored by the presence of the Director of Academic Services, who warmly congratulated the students for their commitment. He encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained in real-life situations and to nurture a passion for learning.

Presenting Certificates 

Dr. Simon NGENDAKUMANA and Others Presenting Certificates
Murungwa IRAKOZE and Dr. Simon and Student
Family Photo of Practical Training: Foundations for Farming Trainers and the Internship Students Proudly Displaying Their Certificates

The 56 who students who are participating in the current Internship Program will graduate in February and be the first class that received practical, high production crop cultivation training and they will be prepared and ready to help community farmers to increase their agriculture production.

To watch a brief simple video of the practical training fields, click on the link below.

Practical Crop Cultivation Training Video. August 2025

If you are wiling and able, please consider donating to the Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund so we can do more and do better in our agriculture development work with poor women in Burundi; Donations – Haley McCready Outreach and Development Fund.