UHH AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMS IN ROSITA Dr.

Steve Malin joined United Hearts for Health hoping to come up with a plan to help improve the agricultural industry in Rosita with the purpose of promoting better nutrition for the people, working on public health issues, and stimulating their local economy through agricultural advances. After several trips to Rosita by Fond du Lac agricultural enthusiasts, UHH invited Arely Garcia and Marta Alverez to visit Fond du Lac to expose them to as many aspects of our agricultural economy as possible. During their trip here, they visited dairy, beef, sheep, goat, poultry, fish, and vegetable production farms as well other agricultural businesses. Following their return to Rosita, they reported back to other agricultural leaders from their community and together made recommendations as to what areas of agriculture we may consider trying to develop or improve in Rosita. It was following their requests that the artificial insemination and veterinary pharmaceutical projects were developed. The people of Rosita have demonstrated a strong interest in improving their dairy production. A bovine artificial insemination (AI) program has been established with the goal of crossing their local cattle genetics with our much more productively efficient genetics. Reports from Rosita indicate that at least 60 cross bred calves have been born or are expected in the near future. Veterinary pharmaceuticals have been donated by various companies including Pfizer Animal Health, Fort Dodge Animal Health and Schering-Plough. Training has been provided to aid the people of Rosita in the proper use of these products. Very positive results have been noted following use of these parasite control products and antibiotics. Other plans include the establishment of a beekeeping and honey production project, with honey now being sold. Also, a rototiller was sent to Rosita to help the people develop a small garden plot project. To assist with economical transportation needs with the agricultural initiative and especially with the artificial insemination project, a motorcycle was donated for their use. In addition, we have worked on a project to aid a native Nicaraguan veterinarian establish a practice in Rosita and a few other areas on the Atlantic side of the country. Quality veterinary care is all but nonexistent in that region. Dr. Jos Ocampo, a graduate of a veterinary school in Nicaragua, trained in the Fond du Lac area for one month in the fall of 2009. During his visit, he spent a few days working with Hispanic-speaking workers on a progressive dairy farm. At the same time he was able to observe and acquire personal experience with diverse aspects of our dairy industry. He also spent time with eight different veterinarians, working with them in their various practices, both large and small animal. Very substantial donations of veterinary drugs by Pfizer and Schering-Plough along with additional aid from UHH were sent to Nicaragua, helping him establish the veterinary practices. Quality veterinary care and training provided on a daily basis by Dr. Ocampo and his associates will be very valuable to the people of Rosita and very helpful to us as we continue with our projects.

Nicaraguan veterinarian Dr. Jos Ocampo visiting a dairy farm in Wisconsin

Cross bred cattle in Rosita

Using veterinary drugs in Rosita sent by the agricultural initiative of UHH

UHH veterinary training session for farmers in the Rosita area

AI technician transporting a semen storage tank to rural Rosita farms on a motorcycle donated by UHH