SOIL's First Agricultural Intern Graduates With a Thesis on SOIL's EcoSan Compost

We at SOIL are very proud to announce the graduation of Marckindy V. Etienne, SOIL’s first Agricultural Intern, with a degree in Ingénieur Agronome (Agronomy). He earned his degree at Université Chrétienne du Nord d'Haiti in Limbè, Cap-Haitien. Marckindy originally hails from the town of Acul du Nord which is near the north coast of Haiti outside of Cap-Haitien. He is the second youngest of six siblings. Markindy was accepted as an Agricultural Intern at SOIL in order to assist with SOIL's research on the use of EcoSan compost in Haiti and to assist Markindy in accessing an experiential learning component in his studies. Markindy’s dissertaton is entitled “Etude de l'effet du compost d'excrements humains sur le rendement de deux variétés arachide (arrachis hypogaea) dans la zone agricole de Mantenoir (SREDD Pister SOIL farm) commune de Limonade" ("The Effects of Using Human Waste Compost on the Yield of Two Varieties of Peanuts in the Agricultural Zone of Mantenoir Farm of Limonade"). [caption id="attachment_3142" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Markindy defends his dissertation on SOIL's EcoSan compost."][/caption]He amassed data on the effects of EcoSan compost on two varieties of peanuts, one Haitian and one Spanish, and a third group with no compost. All research was conducted at our SREDD farm in Pister (or Mantenoir). Keep an eye on our website for details on the full study coming soon. Markindy spent a total of 110 days working with SOIL as one of our first Agricultural Interns this past year. He has worked on a number of different project including the development and experimentation with EcoSan compost and facilitating exchanges with local organizations. Marckindy looks forward to collaborating with SOIL in the future as he continues to research EcoSan composting techniques utilizing different plants and vegetables. [caption id="attachment_3144" align="aligncenter" width="502" caption="Markindy and his family. Congrutulations Markindy! Haiti will benefit from your agronomy skills!"][/caption]