My name is Susie Meyer and I am the recruiter for the USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer program at Partners of the Americas. F2F is a program that promotes economic development and food security abroad by sending volunteer technical specialists from the U.S. to Latin America to provide technical assistance to producers, cooperatives, agribusinesses, NGO’s, and educational institutions (referred to as “hosts”). Our program covers all volunteer costs including airfare, lodging, meals, insurance, and any other assignment-related expenses.
I am wondering if you would be interested in an in-person assignment in Guatemala for 15 days in September or October. Please find brief descriptions of open opportunities below:
- Professional Coffee Taster – APOLO
APOLO coffee is expanding to new markets but lacks knowledge of how to market their coffee because they do not know what kind of qualities or potential their coffee has. An F2F volunteer is needed to train APOLO staff in cupping processes as well as the techniques and parameters to determine the quality of the coffee as well as the best barista techniques. It is expected that at the end of the assignment APOLO will have a reference for cupping and the correct barista methodology to continue replicating the process. This assignment contributes to the broader goals and objectives of the Rural Enterprise Development project by supporting coffee holder’s companies in one of Guatemala’s most lucrative value chains.
- Coffee Business Development – FECCEG
Currently, FECCEG only exports green coffee beans, however they are looking to open a coffee shop and roasting facility in the U.S. A F2F volunteer is needed to create a feasibility and validation analysis for the new store that includes sales strategies, marketing, e-commerce, logistics in U.S. and online sales strategies. It is expected that at the end of the assignment the host will have a defined sales strategy for marketing online and a brick and mortar store on the U.S. This assignments contributes to the broader goals and objectives of the Rural Enterprise Development project by supporting smallholder companies in one of Guatemala’s most lucrative value chains sustainably grow.
- Coffee Industry Expert – FECCEG
The FECCEG is seeking enter a new market at various levels of the value chain by roasting its coffee beans. A F2F volunteer is needed to initiate a coffee shop network for final consumers and connect a distribution line of organic products and companies with a social responsibility for coffee. It is expected that at the end of the assignment FECCEG will understand the operational costs for roasting beans along with an investment plan, network of potential customers, and a reference of potential distribution and supply partners. This assignments contributes to the broader goals and objectives of the Rural Enterprise Development project by supporting small, medium, and large holder companies in one of Guatemala’s most lucrative value chains, coffee.
Partners of the Americas employs a COVID-19 safe protocol on all F2F assignments. This includes appropriate use of Personal Protective Equipment, mask-wearing, social distancing, and checks for vaccination status. All assignments will be assessed for risk prior to travel, taking into account the varying levels of COVID-19 throughout the region. We have already supported numerous volunteers travel to 5 countries in the Caribbean basin to complete their 15-day F2F assignments with the support of our fantastic field teams.
To comply with our COVID-19 safe protocol, we require that all F2F volunteers be fully vaccinated prior to travel. This includes receiving a booster shot if it has been more than 6 months since your last dose of Pfizer or Moderna or more than 2 months since your last dose of Johnson & Johnson.
Please also verify that your passport expiration date is at least 6 months from expected travel date.
Please let me know if you – or someone you know – would like to be considered as a potential volunteer or if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Susie Meyer
202-637-6206 email
