What We Do

TVAA Project Overview

Now

TVAA will establish a youth-centered, hands-on Regenerative Organic Agriculture (ROA) education and farming practices enabling graduates to become successful farmers who can create sustainable livelihoods for themselves as they expand food security in their communities.

This project is to establish a Technical and Vocational Agriculture Academy (TVAA) in the East Wallegaa Administrative Region of Oromia, Ethiopia with the United States-based NGO, TVAA. The US-TVAA is comprised of experts in best practices in agriculture and education from academia, manufacturing, and non-profit agencies.

The Need

Contemporary literature cites seven persistent agriculturally related problems of Ethiopia:

  1. food scarcity

  2. youth unemployment

  3. subsistence farming

  4. soil degradation

  5. antiquated farm equipment technology

  6. resistance to cooperative efforts

  7. paucity of organic regenerative farming practices

These needs are persistent and compelling requiring comprehensive remedies and solutions that are viable and sustainable over time. TVAA can, with resources, provide the knowledge, actions, and commitment to actualize solutions to attenuate these needs.

In the Future

Scale the TVAA Program to additional communities, regions, in Oromia and other regions in Ethiopia to contribute to the endeavors of the Ethiopian Government to create sustainable youth employment opportunities and reduce food scarcity.

How We Do It s

Instructional Methodology

As educators, we need to determine whether we go the way of linear transmission of facts and information based on the antiquated “factory model” of education, which has perpetuated the indemnification and rejection of too many of our learners,

OR

We align with the natural human desire of quest for relevant knowledge that clarifies meaning for all of us, individually and collectively.

The instructional methods and strategies in the TVAA educational program are grounded in five well known theoretical and research based educational approaches for optimal learning: 1) cognitive constructivism, 2) experiential learning, 3) critical pedagogy, 4) social constructivism, and 5) multiple intelligences.

To make practical application of one’s learning, Learners need:

1) written information (theory)

2) hands-on information (practice)

3) viable choices about their approach to learning

4) to learn in one’s own style, using multiple intellectual strengths

5) work alone and cooperatively with others

6) time to reflect about what they are learning

7) forge an intentional philosophy about their work

In this learning environment, they “make sense” of what they’re learning and apply it in the world.


The role of Learning Facilitators (teachers)

Learning facilitators need to:

1. understand how successful applied learning develops

2. employ interactive learning methods

3. be socially and psychologically available

4. value and respect students as individuals (subject-subject)

5. be deeply grounded and passionate in their own subject area

6. create and foster communities of learning

The foundation upon which the TVAA instructional methods are developed consists of a rainbow of epistemological theories that are inter-related to optimize meaningful, functional, and culturally-connected learning experiences for students.

The course of study is over two years, yielding a certificate of Regenerative Organic Agricultural (ROA) practices. The curricular focus is on two areas of study relevant to successful regenerative organic farming: 1) the scientific aspects of soils, plants, trees, animals, and weather; and 2) the agri-preneurial components of developing a successful regenerative organic farming business, such as land acquisition and materials, marketing, value-added products, improved tools/technology, finance/credit, and food processing. The content of these studies in both areas includes basic levels of content and practice in Year 1, and Advanced levels of content and practice in Year 2.

The Benefits

  1. TVAA employs local skilled and professional Ethiopian personnel in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure, teaching, and daily operations of the TVAA Farm.

  2. TVAA students learn the most current research based practices in regenerative organic agricultural practices, theoretically and practically.

  3. TVAA students learn information and skills to design and produce improved farming technology.

  4. TVAA students will learn practically how to establish agripreneurial businesses and cooperatives.

  5. TVAA students learn to engage in cooperative and joint efforts.

The graduates of TVAA will have the knowledge, skills, and motivation to lift themselves and their families out of poverty while simultaneously helping to reduce food insecurity in their communities. The land farmed by the graduates of TVAA in this region of Ethiopia will be regenerated organically (biologically), thus producing more food with high nutritional quality to promote food sovereignty. For more information on full proposal - contact elizabeth@tvaaetyouth.org

TVAA Mission

To create experiential pathways for unemployed Ethiopian youth to achieve educational and personal goals leading to self-sufficiency, a future in regenerative organic agricultural (ROA) practices which will also benefit the greater community by helping to reduce food insufficiency.

TVAA Vision

To be a leader in creating a healthier world nutritionally, ecologically, and economically. By carrying out this mission at every level of the organization, TVAA will be recognized by youth and communities as an invaluable resource for employment and improved food security.

TVAA Values: Philosophical Grounding

TVAA Theory of Change

The TVAA education and business philosophy are grounded in the The Triple Bottom Line (TBL), which posits that businesses should commit to measuring their social and environmental impact, not only their financial performance. In essence, successful businesses need to consider the “three Ps”: People, Planet, and Profits, or Community, Ecology, and Economics. TVAA values the benefits to People as the most important consideration. TVAA believes that contributing positive impacts for the Planet are essential. With steadfast adherence to TVAA values of People and Planet, the Profit will inevitably follow the success of the graduates.

The TVAA Theory of Change is to holistically expand local social capital in the community agriculture system by tackling multiple components that give rise to high quality food production which addresses community problems(food insecurity), ecological problems (soil degradation), and economic problems (poverty/unemployment). Innovations that 1) acknowledge, 2) respect, and 3) harness existing social capital are the prerequisites to discovering and developing the pathways of cooperative efforts with the least resistance to maintain the focus and accomplishment of the innovation. This is evidenced by the innovative work being done; and because the people need it, they will have the information, know-how, and the motivation to do it. When catalyzing and expanding collective action with community leaders and members to address community challenges, the solving of such challenges becomes a community goal with solutions to benefit the local entities, socially and economically; while simultaneously contributing positively to the existential issues of climate and a country’s GNP. Research of innovation initiatives in Europe and 3rd world countries, grounded in social capital, have shown success in support and deployment of the innovations.