Morrell Agro Industries – Projects Update – July 31, 2010 Lonny Ward

Lonny Ward said, “We have been working on the Kokosa property for a little over a year now and have had a huge positive impact on the communities. In a staff meeting, one of our workers said that they didn’t believe us when we told them what we were going to do, but now they are seeing it and believing.  He said that we are preparing their minds for the truth.”

Water

During the last week of July, Mogess Kassa and his crew strapped a big water tank to a trailer so that it could be transported out to the MAI property in Kokosa. Due to the heavy rains, the trailer and tank were left at the FTC compound until the road to Kokosa dried out.

A hand-crank water pump was installed at the quest house on the farm so that water will no longer have to be pulled up with a rope and bucket. It works well, and it should provide staff with cleaner water, as the well is mostly closed off. Two water troughs for the cows have been built, and they will be ready for water as soon as the pipe is set up in the spring.

Cattle

Lonny and his staff gave shots to the Boran cows to synchronize their reproductive cycles. Mulgeta Tesfaye, Abera Chala, and Lonny then took turns breeding the cows as they came into heat. So far, the response has been good, and the cows are looking really well. They are now collecting about 20 liters of milk each day. Most of this milk has been used to make butter, but other market options are being investigated, as well.

The bulls are fattening nicely, and they should be ready to sell in time for the big holiday in September, when the price should be high.

Crops

The first butter and vegetables, including beets, lettuce, and chard, from the Kokosa farm have been taken to market.

The carrots, onions, squash, tomatoes, and cilantro on the farm are growing well. About two hectares of land have been plowed, and it will be planted with various grasses, fruits, and vegetables, some of which will be fed to the cows and some of which will be sold.

Most of the daily laborers on the farm are students working to earn money for their school books in the fall.