Farmers around the city of Dajabón, Dominican Republic, are mostly subsistence farmers, only able to grow enough food for themselves and their families to eat. WSU researchers, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Everett, are working to help those farmers increase their harvest so they can sell their produce at market.
“This project aims to enhance family income through family greenhouse gardens,” said Anthony Gromko, WSU Extension assistant professor of economic and community development. “This is a poverty alleviation effort, where we can empower families to increase their economic resiliency.”
Last month, Gromko and WSU Everett Chancellor Paul Pitre visited Dajabón, a city of around 35,000 along the border with Haiti, to meet with local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and professors from Universidad ISA, an agricultural university about three hours away. Ed Peterson represented the Rotary Club of Everett on the trip as well.