We’ve been running a lot of posts this summer on CFI’s projects in Canada. Namely, the workshop series. And not for good reason. The workshops are a big part of CFI’s summer programming. But it would be misleading to think that workshops are all that CFI is about.
We’ve got a knack for stretching our resources as far as we can. Whether it’s the construction of our new native species nursery, continual maintenance of our Food Forest, or publishing helpful resources, we’ve had plenty on our plates this summer.
But, but, but. It would also be misleading to give you the impression that all our work happens here in New Brunswick. Much of CFI’s work happens in Pemba, a small island off the coast of mainland Tanzania. Over in Pemba, our sister organization, Community Forests Pemba (CFP), has been busy doing work of their own.
Mbarouk Mussa Omar, CFP’s director, has been on the road, touring, introducing people to, and troubleshooting community-owned Pod Presses. Check out these pictures or flip through the presentation (hat tip to Brennan and Lisa) below to get a sense of what a pod press is all about.
The Pod Press is a great tool because it addresses two issues at once. As the press can be used to produce organic biomass seedling pods and fuel briquettes for cooking, the Press contributes to forest restoration efforts, reduces nursery dependence on polyethylene seedling sacks, and provides communities with an ecological (and cheap) fuel alternative to charcoal.
The following pictures were taken by Mbarouk in Chasasa, a community that had recently met with CFP to learn the ins and outs of the Pod Press.
If you’d like to support the propagation and distribution of this innovative tool, please click here. If you’d simply like to know more about the Press and our projects in Pemba, don’t hesitate to stop by or contact us at info@forestsinternational.org. See you at the next workshop!
