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Gardening Away: Growing a Greener Future

through international gardening programs

Johanna Roman ‘ 89

johannadcr@gmail.com

Garden Education Programs

International Ag Development Projects

Gardenista Trips

The “Mango Group” during a JMG lesson in Guatemala

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Working with kids

It’s a beautiful thing when you connect your work with your purpose!

Fun lessons & crafts

https://jmgkids.us/

https://kidsgardening.org/

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Working with youth

Young Aggie girls are going to harvest coffee & young snow pea farmers

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Aggies @ Coffee Farm – Finca Xejuyu’s Coffee Nursery

(chey-hoo-you)

XEJUYU Farm

Central Highlands

6,000 FASL

220 acres (30 coffee)

Varietals (bourbon, catuai, and typica) processed via a washed method and roasted to a medium/light level in Antigua, Guatemala.

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Grad Picture

Wedding Picture

Back to School

TAMU Tropical Hort class learning about cacao production in Guatemala

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Flowers

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Agricultural Development

  • Agriculture doesn’t just feed people, it’s also one of the most powerful tools to alleviate extreme poverty and boost economies.

  • Ag development is a strategy to increase farm production, incomes, and food security by applying better farming techniques, infrastructure, and policies, which also aims to improve rural livelihoods, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

  • It encompasses activities like technological advancements, improving irrigation and soil conservation, developing market systems, and promoting sustainable practices to meet current needs without compromising future generations' ability to meet theirs.  

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Guatemala Food for Progress Projects

  • USDA Funds
  • 8 yrs
  • Hort prog for small-scale farmers, Mayan women & kids

https://borlaug.tamu.edu/

Food for Progress* AGTEC Projects

The Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development at TAMU

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Flowers

Crop Production

Improved Ag Techniques for Hort Crops

GAP

Field training

Demo Plots

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Flowers

Crop Diversification

Pest Management

Fertilization

Propagation

Technical Assistance

Irrigation

Plant Pathology

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Food Processing & Packing Centers

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Technology Transfer

Composting Units using coffee pulp

Food Processing Centers

Cold Storage Units

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Flowers

Flower Production & Floral Design

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Tech Transfer

Greenhouses

Hydroponic Systems

Drip Irrigation

Microtunnels

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Farmer Education Programs

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Marketing Programs

Agricultural Fairs – Stands/Banners

Marketing Plans - Agribusiness

Websites / Brochures

Market links: Walmart, supermarkets

Export – AGEXPORT, CA Markets

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Internships & Service Programs for Aggies

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MAP

The Center on Conflict and Development at TAMU - Enhancing Livelihood and Incomes of Rural Women through Postharvest Technology

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Hydroponics

El Salvador: Reduction of Violence and Gang Involvement in Ciudad Delgado, El Salvador through an Urban Gardening Project

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El Salvador:  Migration and Youth Development Study, Phase I: Base-line Data Collection in Cacao Producing Communities

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Mentoring Students:

Aggies Invent – Veggie Roll

Aggies Invent – Pigeon Pea Desheller

EPICS Courses – Veggie Spinner

Internship: Coffee Study

LGEG Program for Kids

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Learn! Grow! Eat & GO!

Health and nutrition curriculum of the Junior Master Gardener Program developed by:

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Kids Gardening Programs

Through fun activities, provide kids with the opportunity for learning about the plant world

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Fruit & Veggie Bingo!

Healthy Snacks

You are a Tree

Parts of the Plant Sombrero

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Fresh Food Exposures & Tastings

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Fun cooking lessons

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Global Gardening Program

Global Gardening Program “Seeds for Life” project

Texas Garden Clubs Inc

  • Grants
  • Gardenista Trips

  • https://texasgardenclubs.org/projects/

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The Seeds for Life Program is a great way to make gardening programs flourish in developing nations. Garden Clubs in Texas donate funds for gardening programs abroad.

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Tanzania: Women Entrepreneurship Program

Guatemala: Women Gardening Program

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Bolivia: School Garden & Nutrition Programs

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El Salvador: Santa Marta Greenhouses

Dominican Republic: El Faro Kids Program

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Nicaragua: Nursery & Soap Making

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Nursery

Nicaragua: La Esperanza Arts Center

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Gardenista Trips

A&M Garden Club

1-week trips to Antigua, El Tejar, Lake Atitlan

https://amgardenclub.com/

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Gardenista Trips – Xejuyu Farm

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Gardenista Trips

Activities

Visit beautiful gardens in

Antigua, Lake Atitlan

Farm tours Coffee, Macadamia

Ecofarm

Mayan ruins

Flower Festival

Kite Festival

Chocolate/Wine

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Macadamia Farm

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Coffee Trips - https://tavocoffeeco.com/

TavocoffeeCo.

419 N Main St #100, Bryan, TX 77803hello@tavocoffeeco.com

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Mission Trips

DelCafe Trips

Young Professional Coffee Enthusiasts

Tavocoffee Co.

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Join us on the 2026 Gardenista Trip

¡Gracias!

Johanna Roman

johannadcr@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/DelCafeFarmTours