farmers with advice and training. There are many gov- 

 ernment loan programs for farmers who want to buy 

 draft animals or plowing equipment or start a veg- 

 etable garden. Agriculture is a required class in school 

 and most schools have small projects like gardens or 

 flocks of chickens. Society is facing the problem of 

 young people being lured away from their home vil- 

 lages by the excitement of the cities, only to find that, 

 without skills, there are no jobs. So the government is 

 encouraging the youth to learn as much as they can 

 about farming, as this will support their famiHes in the 

 long run. My hosting organization, 4-B (like our 4-H) 

 is also helping in this area. 



Perhaps you are curious about some of the different 

 plants I saw in Botswana. The most prevalent native 

 plant is the acacia. This flat-topped tree is often part 

 of the African landscapes we see in pictures. Brush 

 from it is used to build fences and pens for the ani- 

 mals. Many trees and shrubs are covered with super- 

 sharp two-to-three-inch thorns, and this is the reason I 

 was too wimpy to go barefoot like the indigenous 

 people! Palm trees grow in the Okavango Delta re- 

 gion. This plant is food for the elephants and also the 

 source of material for beautiful baskets that the 

 women weave. Also, I was so intrigued to see aloe 

 plants taller than me! 



I have returned with a new perspective on other 

 cultures and a determination to encourage people to 

 take any opportunity they can to learn about the cul- 

 ture of another country. The I.F.Y.E. program is a 

 unique and wonderful way to do this! For those who 

 can't participate as a representative, perhaps you 

 would open your home to a foreign visitor for a few 

 weeks. The I.F.Y.E. committee is always looking for 

 host families for the delegates who come to stay in 

 New Hampshire. This is a great opportunity to have 

 an I.F.Y.E. experience without even leaving home! 



What I will remember most about my stay in Bots- 

 wana is the vibrancy of the people — the way singing 

 and dancing is such a part of their lives, how they 

 take time for their families, and the way they wel- 

 comed me into their communities. It is important for 

 us to remember that all over the world, people are 

 similar. They may grow different crops and build dif- 

 ferent houses, but, like us, they work, play, and love 

 their families. I know that I will never be able to read 

 the world news the same way again. My I.F.Y.E. expe- 

 rience is something I will always treasure. 



For more information about the I.F.Y.E. program, 

 as an applicant or host family, please contact the N.H. 

 I.F.Y.E. Committee at 603-224-1934. 



Jennifer Bartoji of Loudon was the 1997 recipient of the 

 New Hampshire Plant Growers Association Scholarship. 

 She currently works at Millican Nurseries in Chichester 

 and will be continuing her studies at UNH this fall. 

 She is majoring in Adult and Occupational Education 

 with the goal of becoming an agriculture teacher. 



Pioneer Pointers 



Preparing 

 for That Crossroad 



T'here comes a crossroad in nearly every busi- 

 ness—and those in the greenhouse industry 

 are no different: you are faced with growth. 



The demand for your product is exceeding 

 supply; your customer base is strong and reli- 

 able; the labor force is finally adequate and run- 

 ning smoothly. As a result of all this, the next 

 logical step seems to be to expand. 



However, before you take the step, be sure to 

 address one other component that — together with 

 those mentioned above — lays the foundation 

 needed to expand successfully. This component 

 is financial strength. 



Profits need to be strong and consistent. This 

 may not be an issue if demand for your product 

 is strong and the business is run efficiently. 

 However, what are you doing with these profits? 

 Are you: 



• Drawing it as a personal salary to cover living 

 expenses? 



• Internally funding ongoing capital expenses? 



• Using it to pay or service loans? 



If you have answered yes to any of these, 

 your liquidity (also referred to as working capi- 

 tal or cash reserves) may not be adequate to un- 

 dertake an expansion — even though all other fac- 

 tors are positive. If you're expecting to obtain fi- 

 nancing for an expansion, it's likely you will 

 need to contribute at least 40% of the project 

 costs from your own reserves. And if you plan to 

 fund the project yourself, a buffer reserve above 

 and beyond the cost of the project is needed to 

 cover operating expenses and six months of debt 

 service on already existing loans until the project 

 is complete. 



Strong working capital is essential to your 

 business. Not only is it needed in adversity, but 

 also in expansion — so always be planning ahead. 

 Save and build your reserves. 



For information about financing, call the 

 Bedford office of First Pioneer Farm Credit, ACA, 

 at 1-800-852-3252. (SW) 



)UNE. JULY. 1998 



