Helping Ethiopians in the Dilla region attain sustainable agriculture is a major goal of Craig Meredith, NCF's Chairman of Innovation.

However, according to Craig, any technology offered must be the type that the Ethiopians can continue to use and pass on to future generations. He gives an example that if the farmers were given machinery they can't fix when broken, it wouldn't be a solution.

Craig brings to this ministry his expertise in agricultural engineering and equipment. With a degree in agricultural engineering and professional license in mechanical engineering, Craig operates Riverbend Group, an engineering consulting firm working in agricultural development and energy conservation.

"Mostly, what I'll be doing for the Ethiopians is improving agricultural processes and designing appropriate technology to increase the yields of the coffee," Craig explains.

"We're helping the Ethiopians by introducing technology to improve their production and quality. We're after sustainability in their agricultural process. They have to be able to pass it on to future generations so that they put back into the land what they take out of it."

Finding solutions
When Craig and five others first visited the Gedeo people of Southern Ethiopia in February 2001, he noticed how the cherry hulls from coffee processing plants were washed down the river. What the Ethiopians didn't realize is how this pollutes their water source.

"You can smell the methane that comes out of them, so they're polluting the water. If we can turn the cherry hulls into a fertilizer instead, you're improving their water and improving their land at the same time." The fertilizer can increase the coffee plant yield but also be sold as a product.

Craig conducted soil tests and found it deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus.. Returning home, he discovered that cherry hull is high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Craig and others are now seeking grants to fulfill this idea.

"Initially, developing fertilizer is something we can accomplish right away. But, in the long term, we want to take coffee and have it drive their economy. They have great ideas about what they want to do, but their hands are tied because of poverty. Even in their poverty, they're already supporting missionaries. They are an incredibly giving people."

"They have good quality coffee, but it can fetch a much higher price if it has higher quality control. They need equipment that sorts it and improves cleaning. And that is what we're after; to increase their income so they can in turn send out their own evangelists and increase their self sufficiency."

Craig was involved with organizing New Covenant Foundation and Dominion Trading Company. He is now NCF's treasurer. Helping others solve technical problems is what he enjoys.

"My real passions are helping people and solving problems."

Craig and his wife Margaret live in Post Falls and have three children: Rebecca, 13, Ian 10 and Angus, 7

< Back to Innovation

Check out other profiles: