Pontis Nicaragua

TIPITAPA:  Nine farmers graduated from the first module of the Pontis Sustainable Agriculture Program this week at the Cristo Rey farm in Tipitapa.  Ernesto was very pleased with the class’s quick progress and energy learning less chemical dependent methods to build enterprise farms. The additional support you brought to Pontis in 2016 has grown the…

NICARAGUA:  After several tense days, hurricane Otto veered south only grazing Nicaragua and crossed Latin America through Costa Rica. Typical rural farms in Latin America are very susceptible to harsh weather, especially heavy rain which can drive erosion.  The Pontis Sustainable Agriculture Program specifically teaches how to develop slopes and incorporate composts in ways that…

OMETEPE:  The incredible support Pontis received in 2016 has enabled the team to to deliver solid training in five locations across Nicaragua.  The results farm families have experienced with increased yields and better quality products garnished attention from their neighbors.  There is more interest in the Pontis Sustainable Agriculture Program than ever before. Ernesto is…

NUEVA ESPERANZA:  The Pontis Training Center at Nueva Esperanza hosted a graduation ceremony as 27 students received certificates for completing module 1 of the Pontis Sustainable Agriculture Program.  This is a significant achievement which required over 6 months of study and hands-on practice. Several families attended together including Glenda and her two sons, Jadier and Didier,…

MATAGALPA:  The Pontis farm education team published the first module of the Pontis Sustainable Agriculture Program manual.  Over 100 pages of material with color photographs throughout covers subjects from farm planning to using less chemical dependent methods such as composting to grow better products that sustain the land. Victor Torrez is the key leader in…

VERACRUZ DEMO FARM:  Thirteen members of three churches in Texas (Sealy, Azle, and Denton) worked two hard days at the Pontis Demo Farm building a greenhouse, planting calala and dragon fruit trees and helping with general upgrades. Service teams are a key part of the Pontis program.  It is not just about the work done but…

MATAGALPA:  The Pontis Team is pleased to welcome Sergio Hernandez as our newest Junior Technician.  In this part time position, Sergio will assist Ernesto in a host of roles including teaching classes, leading field workshops and mentoring farmers. Sergio, shown here teaching a workshop on making organic insecticides and fungicides, is a member of the…

MATAGALPA – Leck Heflin was happy to welcome Victor Torrez to the Pontis team based in the Matagalpa field office.   Victor has taken on the role of assistant to the chief agronomist.  Victor will be working for Ernesto Martinez in the office, assisting with training at Pontis Model Farm Training Centers and assisting with…

REDMOND, WA:  Brad Allen, a Pontis supporter and volunteer since 2011, recently left his role as Vice President Marketing, Product Management and Engineering at Genie, a Terex brand, to join Pontis as Director of Engagement.  Brad will be working directly for Leck Heflin, Executive Director, helping build the Pontis support base and developing key programs…

VERACRUZ DEMO FARM:  For the third year in a row Nicaragua is experiencing a serious drought.  Although Nicaragua is often thought of having plenty of precipitation, this rain is typically concentrated in a wet season stretching from May through January.  The dry season, February through April, can have less than an inch of rain each…