Since 1993, HAFF has partnered with a Christian organization called ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization). ECHO's vision is to bring glory to God and a blessing to mankind by using science and technology to help the poor. ECHO does this by provide ideas, training, information, and seeds critical to those working in agricultural development in third world countries.

Over the years ECHO has sent dozens of interns to HAFF for three month overseas experiences after their year-long internship in agriculture and missions in Florida. Interns work in the gardens on the HAFF campus and offer agricultural training and assistance to the local community. In February 2004, this partnership took on a slightly different form and HAFF began a new agricultural thrust.

ECHO hired Dr. Tim and Paige Motis who are now permanently at HAFF directing the Small Farm Resource Development Project (SFRDP). The primary objective of the SFRDP is to identify crop species and varieties, as well as crop production techniques, with potential for improving the livelihood of Haitian farmers. Initial plant trials are conducted in the gardens at HAFF and plant materials that perform well are multiplied for further evaluation in small portions on farmer's fields in the community (called 'on farm trials'). This approach minimizes risk to local farmers of trying new crops or farming methods. Some of the specific areas of interests are vegetable and grain crops, agroforestry species, and fruit trees.

Dr. Tim oversees the experiments and seeks practical ways to be of help to farmers in the region. Both he and Paige mentor the visiting interns as they observe and practice the things they have been taught at ECHO in a real-life setting. The goal is to better prepare them to serve as missionaries somewhere in the world when their time at HAFF (usually three months) is completed.

Tim grew up in Africa where his parents were missionaries. He and Paige met in Ethiopia where they both were serving two-year terms (he in agriculture and she in teaching English). They saw the need for further training so returned to the States, where Tim receive his doctorate in horticulture and Paige a masters in Teaching English as a Second Language.

Tim and Paige relocated to HAFF in February 2004 and have since been conducting trials in the HAFF gardens, mentoring visiting interns, teaching English at the HAFF school, offering agricultural seminars and training to the local community, and on farm trials with local farmers.

For more information about the HAFF/ECHO SFRDP please visit www.echohaiti.com and www.echohaiti.blogspot.com