Dr. Greg Schwab of Richmond, a University of Kentucky Extension Specialist, recently returned from a volunteer assignment in the Republic of Georgia as part of a project with CNFA, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering people and enterprises in the developing world.
On his first trip to the Republic of Georgia, Schwab was tasked with assisting Nakhiduri LTD., a branch of the Georgian farm service center Agro Alliance, with soil fertility management. Schwab lent his technical expertise on subjects ranging from soil sampling and analysis to modern growing techniques for grain crops and commercial vegetable production.
Nakhiduri LTD. had been looking to expand its laboratories and facilities – and eventually a fully-functioning laboratory in the city of Tbilisi -- as well as hone skills related to soil testing and agricultural research.
“(Nakhiduri LTD. was an) excellent host organization,” Schwab said, noting that Nakhiduri’s staff was comprised intelligent, articulate individuals who were “willing to ask questions and make changes as needed…it is very impressive.” His impression of the local organization reflected a positive feeling he received from the overall country, whose people are “very hospitable.”
Schwab interacted most often with Robert Grevia, the organization’s director, who is a former chemistry professor, and expert in the field of analytical chemistry.
Schwab’s assignment encouraged him to think outside the box. Many times, he worked experimentally, testing the nuances of the regional soil.
“You get that whole perspective of something that’s completely brand new … you introduce that to a clientele that has never even thought about it,” Schwab said.
With Grevia’s support and knowledge, Schwab put on a series of day-long and half-day training sessions comprising soil testing and crop production, including assessing the soil and growing plants for nutrient deficiencies.
An extension soil management specialist at the University of Kentucky, Schwab splits his time between research and other extension activities outside of volunteering internationally. He places an added importance on disseminating scientific crop production information in a variety of media, such as publications, radio talk shows, regional presentations and newsletters. Volunteering through CNFA has been a recent addition to his repertoire.
“From a soil perspective, it’s always a very unique challenge to apply what you know to a system and situation that is completely different than what you’re used to,” Schwab said of his endeavor through the Farmer-to-Farmer program.
“As a volunteer, you draw on all of your skills,” he said. “My experience is with cooperative extension service; I’m used to teaching adults. That helps quite a bit. The adults are generally farm-oriented, and I can relate to them… you draw on everything to try to answer problems and assess the situation.”
Schwab traveled to the Republic of Georgia under the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Program, which provides voluntary technical assistance to farmers, farm groups, and agribusinesses in developing and transitional countries to promote sustainable improvements in food processing, production, and marketing.
For more information about the program, visit www.cnfa.org/farmertofarmer.
Local News
Volunteer demonstrates soil testing analysis in Republic of Georgia
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Measuring education
Brent Ray, a local contractor, helps Kit Carson Elementary third-graders Nathan Buck and Anijah Rembert measure an outside wall Thursday morning during a class project to determine the perimeter of the school. The third-grade class broke into groups to measure sections of the outside walls which they used to find the perimeter.
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Kiwanis auction Saturday at City Hall
The annual Richmond Kiwanis Club auction will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. until about 5 p.m. with proceedings carried live on TimeWarner Cable Channel 12 and WEKY 1340 AM Radio.
“We have lots of great stuff, as we always do,” said Amanda Stepp, the auction coordinator.
“We have gift cards for almost every restaurant in Richmond as well as two pickup trucks that will be sold,” she said. -
Man pleads guilty to voyeurism charge
A man accused of taking pictures of a woman showering at a Berea truck stop was sentenced to probation Wednesday in Madison District Court.
Paul S. Byrd, 41, of McKee, was arrested Oct. 29 by the Kentucky State Police after a woman reported the incident at the 76 Truck Center off Interstate 75. -
Berea one of state’s first five cultural districts
The Kentucky Arts Council on Thursday named Berea one of the state’s first five certified cultural districts.
Although the legislature designated Berea the state’s Arts and Crafts Capital in the 1990s, this newest designation will draw even more attention and tourism to the city, said Belle Jackson, Berea’s tourism director. -
LRC plans to appeal judge’s HB1 ruling
The leadership of the General Assembly announced Thursday it plans to appeal Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd’s ruling that the legislature’s plan to re-draw state legislative boundaries is unconstitutional.
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Facebook post leads to arrest
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Walmart employees reported to police Jan. 25 that a man had concealed the electronics under his coat and attempted to leave the store without paying, said Richmond Police Chief Larry Brock in a news release. -
Four indicted in Berea murder case
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Friday at library : Lecturer to portray founder of Berea
John G. Fee, abolitionist and founder of both Berea and Berea College, will be portrayed Friday night by performer Obadiah Ewing-Roush as part of Kentucky Humanities Council Chautauqua performance series at the Madison County Public Library. There is no charge to attend the 7 p.m. event.
As the son of a slave-holding father, Fee witnessed firsthand the benefits of having slaves and the profits that could be made from their labor. When he graduated from college and enrolled in Lane Theological Seminary, he began to understand the inherent wrong and destructiveness of slavery. -
Berea woman dies Tuesday in Laurel County crash
A Berea woman, Tommie Johnson, 60, died Tuesday evening in a Laurel County crash, according to the the Laurel Sheriff’s Office.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. at the junction of Maple Grove Road and KY 363 south of London, as Johnson was attempting to turn onto the state highway.
Laurel County Chief Deputy Eddy Sizemore said Johnson’s Chevrolet Cavalier pulled out in front of a Dodge Durango driven by Charles Joseph, 19, that was traveling south on KY 363.
After being extricated from her vehicle, Johnson was transported to St. Joseph-London hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Joseph also was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for minor injuries, according to the accident report. -
Finally February
Ian Rosser, an Eastern Kentucky University student from Lexington, clears snow from his car parked on campus Wednesday
morning after about an inch of snow fell in Richmond. Temperatures are forcast to be in the upper 40s today. Kentucky has seen a lot of rain in the past few months, as was predicted by the Farmer's Almanac, but very little snow has fallen. - More Local News Headlines
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