Charlotte Heifer Partners with Central Piedemont Community College Library

CPCC, Central Piedmont Community College, is partnering with Charlotte Heifer to help explain and promote "Social Engineering" - or "how to change the world!" By listing us as their sponsor for the educational TV show, FrontLine, the CPCC library has won a grant from FrontLine to help in their work of teaching about the theory and practice of Social Engineering.

The school has been the site of past presentations about our animal projects, and they want to learn more about our uses of micro credit and "locavores" (raising and eating food locally).

The major benefit for everyone is that Heifer will have a "high profile" among the over 16,000 students. We will have opportunities to present the Heifer story in movies, personal appearances and information booths. Everyone wins!

Watch for announcements of individual events later this year.

--Alex Smythers

Beatrice Biira

Beatrice's graduation in May prompted a NYT op-ed Column by Nicholas D. Kristof entitled "The Luckiest Gir;".

“I am one of the luckiest girls in the world,” Beatrice

declared at her graduation party after earning

her bachelor’s degree from Connecticut College.

Indeed, and it’s appropriate that the goat

that changed her life was named Luck.

To read the entire peace visit: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/03/opinion/03kristof.html?_r=3&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Beatrice is also scheduled to speak at the Denver Global Youth Forum in November 2008. I hope the text of her speach will be available. They have posted a very nice bio at: http://www.ptpi.org/whats_new/EventCustom.aspx?eventId=4ef789a2-6206-dd11-9457-0007e90cf513&eventPageId=68c1db42-ae73-41c0-bedd-451bf6e70238

What is next for Beatrice? Beatrice will graduate from Connecticut College in May 2008, having majored in International Development and Gender Studies. She will continue her education by pursuing a Master’s Degree at The Clinton School of Public Service, beginning in the fall of 2008.

Charlotte Country Day

Charlotte Country Day Raises another Ark!

Each year Linda, who teaches World Geography, inspires the 7th grade students at Charlotte Country Day to raise an ark for Heifer.

Student leaders line up to present their accomplishments for Heifer at the school assembly.

Ann of Charlotte Heifer attends to thank the participants and receive the funds on behalf of Heifer.

Some of the materials Linda provided to the 7th grade class rooms to facilitate the fundraiser.

Thank you Charlotte Country Day 7th Grade!

Heifer Gardening Workshop - New Knowledge and New Friends

Participants watched "Seeds, Hope, and Concrete", a short video about Heifer's work supporting Community Gardens and Urban Agriculture.

Caroline, a local bee keeper and a Charlotte Heifer member, shared her knowledge about honey bees and earth worms and how they support our gardens and all life on earth.

Earnie from Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK) presented information about gardening for wildlife including the most needed resources we can provide to our wild friends and how to certify your property with the World Wildlife Federation as a Backyard Habitat.

Larysa, a Master Gardener with Union County Extension Service, presented techniques for container gardening. She was especially informative about growing herbs in small spaces.

Alex and Matthew, both Charlotte Heifer members, avid gardeners, and all-around dirty guys, presented information on improving soil quality including composting and soil testing.

Katie, a Charlotte Heifer member, shared information about planting seeds indoors and demonstrated how to make newspaper seedling pots.

Thanks to Renfro Hardware in Matthews, Norwood Garden Center in Charlotte, and Dr. JB's Hummingbird Feeders for donating doorprizes and to Providence Day students who volunteered their time to help.

Food Crisis in the News

If you have been listening to any media in the last couple of weeks, you have undoubtedly heard about the soaring price of food around the world. Here in the states we face increases of 15 to 20 percent but, did you know that the prices of some staples are as much as doubling in poorer parts of the world... places where people were already spending as much as %80 of their income on food?

The causes are complex and it can be very disheartening to those of us half a world away to hear about food riots and increased hunger. However, all is not lost. The world can provide sustenance to all people if we will just give it a chance. Visit Heifer's web page and learn (or refresh your memory) about sustainable agriculture and integrated farming. Then pass on the gift of knowledge to your friends and family.

Heifer's Approach as it Applies to the Food Crisis