USAID Funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer to Farmer Program F2F for AET. Request for Technical Assistance Scope of Work Outline

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1 USAID Funded John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer to Farmer Program F2F for AET Request for Technical Assistance Scope of Work Outline Strengthening of Cheese Production Executive summary: Agrolecheros is an association that collects milk in Mesetas, Meta. The objective of this organization is to develop the infrastructure necessary and secure legal permission to produce fresh cheese. The main challenge for Agrolecheros and other milk producers is the need for sanitary improvements that comply with regulations. Another challenge for this organization is a lack of technical knowledge. Members of the association have experience with two or three types of fresh cheeses. This assignment should guide members who want to improve their production infrastructure and develop technical knowledge to produce new types of fresh and semi-aged cheeses. The host is very interested in developing their aged cheese production, but currently depends on fresh cheese production. The volunteer for this assignment should have experience with methods and techniques for making multiple types of fresh and semi-aged cheeses in a professional cheese production setting. The volunteer should have a working knowledge of cheese plant production design and food safety regulations relating to cheese production. A knowledge of mature cheese production is desired. Background: Milk production is one of the fundamental agricultural activities for small producers in the Ariari region of Meta. The milk produced means a steady income for these farmers. Local organizations estimate the supply of milk in this region to be approximately 200,000 liters per day. Price fluctuation and the necessity of negotiating with collection companies (large-scale milk industry) are affecting profits of small-scale producers, leading to the search for alternative means of marketing and processing. Some producers have formed associations to combine their milk. Other farmers seek to transform the milk that does not meet standards for fresh consumption into cheese or other derivatives. This allows them to use milk that does not comply with the specifications for fresh consumption. With an increase in demand for milk and dairy products in Colombia, producers are in need of technical assistance for cheese making. Agrolecheros is an association seeking this assistance. In addition to cheese making techniques, they are in need of sanitation improvements to their current location (see photos on page 2). F2F Colombia has had one related assignment (VP 8 mature cheeses) but the volunteer did not have experience working with semi-aged and aged cheeses.

2 Agrolecheros lab supplies Agrolecheros cheese production facility Agrolecheros milk collection center

3 Host Information Host Organization Name: Agrolecheros Address: Mesetas, Meta Phone: Primary Contact Name: Edgar Quebrada Secondary Contact Name: Nydia Arenas Phone: Title: N/A Phone: N/A Title: N/A Gender: Male Gender: Female. Host Type: Association Have we worked with this host before? Yes. If yes, please include a recent assignment number: VP - 8 Are there local partner organizations collaborating on this assignment? No Host Organization Profile. Agrolecheros Founded in 2009 with 20 members, this organization seeks to overcome marketing challenges associated with milk. There are currently ten members (50% female) with 20 workers and 246 milk producers associated with the organization. Operationally the host has an office and a milk collection center with electricity and internet. The organization is a private, non-due collecting association. The structure of Agrolecheros is composed of a president, vice president, secretary, fiscal and treasurer. The organization and its farmers produce 12,000 liters of milk daily. The long-term objectives of the organization include building a cheese factory and improving services for farmers. The group currently offers several loan and funding services for farmers. Some of the issues they address are: unexpected price fluctuations, poor milk storage options and delays in payments. As of 2011, the group partnered with Alqueria, a large Colombian dairy company that provided funding for a milk collection center in Mesetas. The main challenges the group faces are poor infrastructure for cheese production and unsanitary milking practices of the farmers. Some of its strengths include good agricultural practices and machinery for milk collection as well as the good relationship the organization has with the farmers and its main client, Alqueria. Assignment Information Number of Volunteer Experts Requested: 1 Expertise of Volunteer Experts Requested: Experience in fresh and semi-aged cheese production, experience with aged cheeses preferred Knowledge of cheese production technology and infrastructure in the tropics preferred Experience in small and medium-scale cheese production systems Knowledge of dairy factory design and implementation Knowledge of food safety regulations and experience with implementing these regulations with dairy products Objectives of the Assignment Support to Agrolecheros (Host) in the design of a cheese factory under tropical conditions Improve the processing techniques for fresh and semi-aged cheeses Duration and dates of assignment: 15 days; TBD

4 Expected beneficiaries: Estimated number of assignment participants: 15 Estimated % of women: 40% Average skill and education level: basic education English-language capability: none (interpretation required) Any prior training on similar topic: yes, VP-8 Task to be performed: Information exchange: Prior to departing for the assignment, the volunteer will be in contact with the F2F Field Team to communicate his/her needs for the assignment and receive additional information that is relevant to the assignment. Meet with the F2F Field Team: In this meeting the volunteer discuss the details of the assignment, address any last minute suggestions for the assignment, and review the upcoming assignment. Visit local cheese production factory: The volunteer and the host will visit the cheese factory to review production conditions and assess needed improvements (cheese quality, sanitation and design). Workshop: The volunteer will train the host in the techniques and recipes for fresh and semi-aged cheeses. The volunteer will train workers on improved processing techniques and methods (procedures, tools, regulations, sanitation, storage, packaging, infrastructure, etc.) Cheese Production Report: Draft a needs assessment document of the host s cheese production facility and improvement plan. This should include information about the infrastructure and technology needed to establish a cheese production facility. This report should consider the available technology and the local conditions. Assignment Evaluation: The Field Team, Purdue Team and volunteer will assess the training sessions and the goals and challenges of the assignment. Together they will discuss the recommendations. Assignment Report: The volunteer will complete an End of Assignment (EoA) Report, including the recommendations discussed with the F2F team. Activities Location Dates Depart USA/Arrive Colombia Day 1 Bogota (Sunday) Work with F2F Field Team to review work plan and finalize assignment details Villavicencio Day 2 Visit to local cheese production factory in Mesetas. The volunteer will perform a needs assessment. Mesetas Day 3 Workshop Mesetas Day 4-6 Break Villavicencio Day 7-8 Draft cheese production report Villavicencio Day 9-10 Assignment evaluation and Report Villavicencio Day 11 Assignment evaluation with host Mesetas Day 12 Deliver EoA report Villavicencio Day 13 Travel to Bogota Bogota Day 14 Travel to USA Bogota Day 15 Total number of days 15 days Delivery date of the EoA report Day 13 End of assignment report and other deliverables required: Cheese production report document

5 PowerPoint presentations or other (non-proprietary) files used in the training. EoA report with the volunteer recommendations and the all information required to implement recommendations Document with useful links/contact information that may be useful for F2F Colombia Host Plans for dissemination or replication of F2F training: The hosts have periodic meetings where the information about the trainings and methods will be transmitted to other members. F2F Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan (PERSUAP): Type 3 (the assignment will probably not have any pesticide issues) The volunteer shall review the F2F Environmental Brochure and be aware of F2F s legal requirements regarding the provision of assistance for the procurement or use of pesticides. The volunteer shall not recommend or provide advice on specific pesticides. Follow-up Impact Survey: Improvements to the factory based on the volunteer s recommendations Sanitation improvements made based on the volunteer s recommendations Income gains documented Working/Living Conditions and Materials Needed for Assignment: This assignment will take place at Mesetas, Meta. The average temperature is 26 degree Celsius. Please send all materials that require translation to the F2F Colombia team (aocampo@unillanos.edu.co and jclavijo@unillanos.edu.co) two weeks before the start of the assignment. Volunteer Outreach: USAID and Purdue University encourage all F2F volunteers to participate in public outreach. An important objective of the program is to increase awareness of Americans good work in developing countries. Volunteers should select at least one outreach activity from the list below, to be completed within two months of return to the US: Write an entry for the Colombia F2F Facebook page Post a photo, video, or text related to the F2F assignment on a personal website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter, or other social media site. And send a link to F2F Program Manager (charlebois@purdue.edu) Send a press release to local newspaper(s) in the volunteer s home town. (Purdue University can provide a template) Write something for alumni or professional association newsletter, or other publication. (Purdue University can help as needed) Give a presentation about the F2F assignment to colleagues, students, church/temple/mosque group, rotary club, etc. Send an about F2F to friends, family, or colleagues Other