A couple of eventful months have passed since our last update, and Tractors for Africa has made major progress during that time. A few of the highlights include:
- Refurbishing our second tractor
- Procuring implements, tools and fertilizer to accompany the tractor
- Hosting another successful send-off fundraiser for the tractor
- Shipping our second container to Burkina Faso
- Creating a video to recap year one (big thanks to Melissa Smith for her help)
Our second tractor, a Farmall 460, needed to have a few seals replaced, fluids changed, brakes adjusted, etc. before we sent it off. Additionally, we procured an 8-foot mounted Allis Chalmers disk, a 3-bottom mounted International plow, two tons of donated fertilizer, a penetrometer soil-testing probe, a grinder, spare tires and parts, a full set of tools for repairs, and 20 soccer balls.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of Maurice and Terry from our team, we were also able to include a flat-bed hay rack which will be used for transporting grain, water, building materials, and other goods. Louis Ricard and Terry Garvert enlisted the help of Josh Stahl, who generously lent us his shed, and Kent Gilmore and Pat Harrison who lent us their tools and assisted in construction. This wagon will increase the usefulness of the tractors, provide revenue for the cooperative during the dry season, and provide much-needed transportation to the region.
Once all of the items were in order for our shipment, we hosted a sendoff fundraiser at Louis and Corrinne’s house with well over 50 people in attendance. During the event, we convened many who had helped with the project, shared our progress and answered questions. The enthusiasm and generosity of those present was unparalleled in my experience. Not only did we raise enough money to complete our current shipment, but we also raised nearly enough to send a third container of equipment to another farmer cooperative in need!
With another fundraiser on the books, we immediately prepared to ship our equipment to Burkina Faso. We assembled everything at the Matter warehouse in St. Louis Park, and on March 9th, our container was loaded and ready to ship. We expect our container to land in Tema, Ghana, this Tuesday May 2nd, and it should arrive in Fada N’Goura, Burkina Faso around May 15th. Myself (Mark) and another volunteer will be traveling there later in May to assist with the unloading, training, and preparation for a new planting season starting in June.
Our second tractor all dressed up for the fundraiser
Christine and I posed for the camera at the fundraiser
We had over 50 people in attendance
8 foot Allis Chalmers disk
3×16 International Plow
Terry loading the tractor onto the container
