Community, Sustainability and Stewardship
Currently, From the Field works primarily in the Mananara Nord region of Northeast
Madagascar. Mananara Nord is a remote region located within Madagascar’s forest
corridor. The surrounding communities do not have electricity or running water, and
nearly all households are involved in subsistence farming activities.
Here, traditional Malagasy village life continues to exist in harmony with the
surrounding forest. Community is strong and highly valued, and many growers are
also active in larger social, church, and educational networks.
The region includes a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a marine protected area, and is
home to many endemic species of lemurs, palm trees, birds and reptiles. On the
border between rainforest and the Indian Ocean, the Mananara region boasts a truly
spectacular natural environment.
The unique environment of Madagascar’s northeast coast also makes it ideally
suited for vanilla, clove, and coffee cultivation, and Imorona families have been
growing and processing these crops for generations. Despite its remote location,
the region produces a large quantity of cured vanilla and dried cloves each year.
Producing gourmet vanilla is truly a labor of love, and people in this region pride
themselves on their vanilla quality and knowledge. Typically, men and women work
together in growers’ cooperatives comprised of family and friends. These
cooperatives both cultivate and process vanilla into finished, black beans. From the
Field works along with these traditional structures to support community-based trade
models.
At From the Field, we work together with these communities to implement
development projects and to promote environmental stewardship. We are also
beginning partnerships and projects in other regions of Madagascar.
Currently, From the Field works primarily in the Mananara Nord region of Northeast
Madagascar. Mananara Nord is a remote region located within Madagascar’s forest
corridor. The surrounding communities do not have electricity or running water, and
nearly all households are involved in subsistence farming activities.
Here, traditional Malagasy village life continues to exist in harmony with the
surrounding forest. Community is strong and highly valued, and many growers are
also active in larger social, church, and educational networks.
The region includes a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a marine protected area, and is
home to many endemic species of lemurs, palm trees, birds and reptiles. On the
border between rainforest and the Indian Ocean, the Mananara region boasts a truly
spectacular natural environment.
The unique environment of Madagascar’s northeast coast also makes it ideally
suited for vanilla, clove, and coffee cultivation, and Imorona families have been
growing and processing these crops for generations. Despite its remote location,
the region produces a large quantity of cured vanilla and dried cloves each year.
Producing gourmet vanilla is truly a labor of love, and people in this region pride
themselves on their vanilla quality and knowledge. Typically, men and women work
together in growers’ cooperatives comprised of family and friends. These
cooperatives both cultivate and process vanilla into finished, black beans. From the
Field works along with these traditional structures to support community-based trade
models.
At From the Field, we work together with these communities to implement
development projects and to promote environmental stewardship. We are also
beginning partnerships and projects in other regions of Madagascar.
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Copyright 2007, From the Field, Inc.
| Traditional "kabary" speech before eating |
| Children in a Palm Sunday parade |
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| From the Field Trading Company |
| Fair trade products of Madagascar |