Click for more photos!

Recently we made a trip to Haiti in an effort to provide support to the impoverished nation. At this time we visited a coffee co-op in the small town of DonDon located at the base of the Citadelle outside of Cap Haitian, Haiti. Upon our arrival, we knew action needed to be taken. We found a dated coffee co-op that badly needed attention and was overridden with old coffee trees that were diseased and infested with insects.

We didn't waste any time and decided to reinvest and provide support to improve the co-op. One of our first steps in July was to create a new nursery by planting trees that are resistant to disease and insects, with plans to transplant them in a permanent location this December.

Our team has been working with Dr. Eveline Teixeira Caixeta Moura and utilizing her expertise to sustain the co-op. Our reinvestment in the co-op will improve working conditions for co-op members and develop a sustainable and efficient operation that will financially benefit the local citizens.

Efforts are also under way to bring multiple volunteer groups from the University of Kentucky and Lexington Catholic High School as well as Alltech employees to give a facelift to this outdated facility. The first group is scheduled to arrive July 10. Some of the improvements will include a new concrete driveway with a newly painted entrance, resurfaced process buildings with a fresh coat of paint and electricity wired throughout the co-op. Plans are under way to make improvements to the co-op?s school this summer with the addition of better classrooms, a proper kitchen, restrooms and an improved curriculum.