the early support and encouragement of Don. When Don retired from the SCS, he continued for the next few years doing volunteer work with us, coordinating government and university training. In 1989 he retired fully to enjoy his remaining time with his family. We will miss him greatly. news from holistic management international
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Africa Certified Educator Training Program
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n November 2007 participants in HMI’s Kenya Certified Educator Program met for their final program intensive. They will be meeting for graduation in June 2008. The lead instructors for this program are Craig Leggett and Constance Neely. Program participants represent some of the key non-governmental organizations in Africa including World Vision and Heifer International. We are excited about this growth in the capacity of the Africa Holistic Management network.
Australia Landcare Awards
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ine wool and beef producers, Tim and Karen Wright, are finalists in the New South Wales Landcare Awards. Tim and Karen own and operate ‘Lana,’ within the Gwydir River Catchment. In selecting the Wrights to progress to the State awards, the regional judges considered how the Wrights: 1) Maintain and improve productivity and environmental condition of their property; 2) Developed a comprehensive property management plan, and worked with their local Landcare group to make plans for their sub-catchment; 3) Through Holistic Management, have merged their Landcare and natural resource management practices with their commercial grazing enterprises; 4) Manage the whole farm with biodiversity and conservation in mind; and 5) Cooperated with and encouraged involvement by others in Landcare practices. The challenge for the Wrights on “Lana” in the early days, was that they barely broke even, despite some five years of paddock “improvement.” The Wrights now acknowledge they even went backwards instead of forwards. The Wright’s experimented with cell grazing between 1991-1993, and then moved to planned grazing in 1995. The planned grazing is based on Holistic Management guidelines involving intensive grazing with a high stock density for short graze periods followed by long rest periods. Congratulations, Tim and Karen!
Staff Promotion 2008 Kenya Certified Educator Training Program:Front Row (left to right): Joseph Pasipamire Manzonzo, John Nyilika, Gracian Mkodzongi, Denford Chimboza, Richard Tankille, Bho Mudyahoto, Allan Savory’ Second Row: Craig Leggett, Richard Hatfield, Leonard Maposa, Harrison Ndungu, Jozua Lambrechts, George Oguna; Back Row: Constance Neely, Emmanuel Sapur, Amanda Atwood, Gilbert Mushangari, Sunny Moyo, Belinda Low. Not in picture: Usiel Kandjii, Sammy Oleku
In Memoriam
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e regret to report the passing of Don Sylvester in January 2008. Don is survived by his wife Dora. Because Don retired from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) some years ago, few today remember the vital role he played in the formation of Holistic Management International, for which we owe him a great deal for his vision, wisdom, strength, and courage. In the early days of Holistic Management may government agencies in the U.S., South Africa, and what was then Rhodesia, as well as other entities, were not open to and actively opposed our work. But, Don asked if Allan Savory would provide training for the SCS similar to what he was providing for private ranchers. Don proceeded to enlist the help of Darrell Harrison of the U.S. Forest Service. Together they found the funds and established an Interagency Committee to work with Allan. Once the Center for Holistic Resource Management (now HMI) was formed, Allan and Don worked to train as many SCS employees as possible, many for free in order to spread the knowledge. Our more recent success with training Cooperative Extension educators, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and other government employees could not have happened without 16
IN PRACTICE
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March / April 2008
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e are pleased to announce the promotion of Maryann West from Executive Assistant to Manager of Administration and Executive Support. Maryann has been with HMI for 3 years, supporting the Board of Directors, the Executive Director, and HMI as a whole. Maryann spent 24 years in the education arena and has taken great pleasure in transfering her organizational skills to HMI. This promotion aligns her role and responsibilities.
HMI TV Documentary e are thrilled to announce that a long-held dream of ours is becoming a reality. With two most generous lead gifts from Dr. Cynthia O. and Leo O. Harris and the Peters Family Foundation, we have begun production of a PBS documentary that will be providing the missing link to the global climate change debate: how healthy land—as found on many of our practitioner sites— helps mitigate the effects of global warming across the globe. With a dynamite production team in place, we expect to go "on the air" in the U.S. within the year. Stay tuned for further updates!
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