Mano a Mano is currently working on a demonstration and training center in Cochabamba, Bolivia. The project has 2 primary goals: 1) ensure that subsistence farmers attain maximum benefits from water projects that Mano a Mano completes in partnership with them; and 2) increase the organization’s capacity to implement successful agricultural water projects over the long term. The past month's work has focused on preparing and planting the gardens, which will be used to teach Bolivian farmers best methods to grow, harvest, and process their crops.

1. Demonstration Training Center
(or CEA by its Spanish acronym - Center of Ecological Farming
Training)
January 2013 Update

2. Week 2
Preparation and construction of the
integrated farming activity in the
demonstration center

3. Preparation of the tools and seed

4. Marking, leveling and weeding of the land

5. Spreading seeding and subsequent covering of barley and alfalfa

6. Planting a large Chilijchi tree

7. Sowing and planting work completed

8. Marking and excavating for the main irrigation canal

9. 2nd Stage: Installation of Partial Shading
Measuring and Marking

10. The excavation of holes

11. Some curious visitors caused a little damage to the
seedbed, but the problem was fixed.

12. Week 3: Arboles y Futuro
• Arboles y Futuro (Trees and the Future) is a
local foundation in Cochabamba with the goal
of investing in environmental education
through school curriculum.
• The organization visits educational sites which
focus on jobs related to caring for the
environment to provide refresher workshops
for teachers.

13. The First Visit to the Ecological Farming
Training Center
• This opportunity was enabled through the
Center of Ecological Farming Training (CEA).
• The group, 34 classroom teachers and 25 from
the field, listened to a talk on alternative
energies and were able to visit the CEA.
• At the CEA, participants learned with the help
of a model, projections and activities,
including practicing composting.

14. Talk at the Education Facility

15. Visit to the Ecological Farming Center

16. Participants practicing composting

17. Caring for the trees
Beginning state Final State

19. Continuation of the Installation of the Partial Shading
Preparing the planting mixture for the posts

20. Preparing the posts

21. Standing and leveling the posts

22. Posts are finished

23. Planting the Fruit
Preparing and leveling the terrain and marking the holes

24. Replanting some of the posts and seedlings for the perimeter
fence

25. Continuing Projects
Despite some damage caused by pigs in the
seedbed, the crops continue to grow.

26. Visual of the vegetable garden

27. Garbage is a problem we are working to minimize.

28. Week 3
Partial Shading is ready and the
planting can begin

29. Finishing the Partial Shade Project
Finishing the placement of the wire

30. The structure is now ready for the mesh which will provide the
partial shade.

31. Placing the mesh on the wire

32. Mesh is completed and secured

33. The partial shade is completed

34. Continuing to plant the fruit orchard
The ground is marked for the fruit

35. Holes are dug for the fruit

36. Preparations are made for planting
Manure is distributed throughout the terrain

37. Preparing for the installation of the perimeter fence

38. Ground is completely prepared and wire has been stretched
on the fence

39. Seeing how far we’ve come motivates us to continue!

40. Learn more about the
demonstration center at the Mano a
Mano website:
http://manoamano.org/blog/demo
nstration-and-training-center-in-el-
abra/
www.manoamano.org