EPIC News

EPIC’s Thirty-second  Annual General Meeting

                Saturday, March 7^th, 2009

@ the home of Loren and Margaret Raymond:

321 Perkins Street, Boone NC 28607

828-264-2252 or raymondla@bellsouth.net

We will feature highlights of EPIC’s work in 2008:

•  Inauguration of the Maya Cultural Center in Guatemala and the hosting of first events
•  Increased interest in Sustainable Agriculture in Guatemala and   Honduras due to the economic crisis 
• Vocational Education & Job Creation for Youth, Honduras
• Purchase of land to provide child care for mothers selling on the streets in Cueravaca, Mexico

SCHEDULE:

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m          Continental breakfast and fellowship

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m          Annual General Meeting

1:00 p.m                             Join us for Margaret’s delicious lunch

                 Board Members will meet Saturday evening, March 7th and Sunday, March 8th.

                Please call or e-mail the Raymonds if you plan to stay for lunch on Saturday.

This Sat. July 26th, EPIC members met in Allenspark, CO. to catch up on current projects, share some time together and enjoy the gorgeous natural surroundings.

The meeting began with a tasty breakfast and hot coffee from our Honduran growers.   As the crowd settled in, Mary McKay ran through an update on various projects in 2007. Loren Raymond, EPIC’s president, gave an informative overview of EPIC’s 31 year history.  Guest presenters, Gywneth Short and Dick Williams were both enthusiatic in their reports on their most recent visits to Central America.  Gwyneth shared her impressions of La Semilla del Progreso and answered many questions on importing the perfect coffee bean.  Dick Williams, EPIC’s treasurer, gave an update on Mujeres En Acción, a micro-lending program in Guatemala, and the Quick Books workshop he taught to 14 staff members. 

Dick Williams guides a student using Quick Books.

Paul Mckay was up next, sharing the May 29th, 2008 inauguration of the Casa para la Culture Maya in Guatemala. His Power Point presentation conveyed how very exciting the whole inauguration day was for all who attended.  The photos gave EPIC members a sense of the importance of the various event that took place.  These included a workshop on the “Farmer to Farmer” teaching methodology, a homage to Marcos Orozco Miranda, Father of Soil and Water Conservation for Central America, and the dedication of the Casa para la Cultura Maya. 

When the meeting ajourned, all were treated to a fantastic lunch at the McKays and a nature walk to Olive Ridge. Geologist, Lauren Raymond and Birders, Becky and Bill Eeds all provided fascinating lectures ‘on the spot’.

We all had fun at the meeting this year.  Thank you for joining us.

EPIC works with young farmers from dana deloca on Vimeo.

Today I created a blog using wordpress. This will enable all epic member to follow our activities in the field, upcoming meetings, member news, etc.