North Dakota Farmer Plants Seeds of Change in Russia
In 1998, volunteer David Pearce was invited to help Russian farmers produce new vegetables. Pearce owns and operators Papa's Greenhouse & Pumpkin Patch in Bismarck, North Dakota. He is a dedicated volunteer who has shared his knowledge as a farmer and businessman on more than 10 Farmer-to-Farmer projects since 1995.

Pearce worked directly with farmers in Pskov Oblast and provided practical advice related to seeding, transplanting, growing, harvesting and storing vegetables. He also brought the farmers catalogs, visual materials, and small farm equipment such as seed planters, seed plates, drip irrigation lines, and more than 30 different types of non-traditional vegetable seeds. Pearce, who is a former Dean at Bismarck State College, also helped the local Agricultural College to develop a training course on advanced vegetable production. The college has a model farm for students and local farmers.

With the dissolution of large state farms, small-scale farmers are crucial to Russia's food security and economic development. Most Russian farmers grow traditional vegetable crops, such as cabbage, beets, and potatoes. Some are starting to grow non-traditional vegetables such as spinach, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, but need production information to profitably grow these new crops.

As a result of Pearce’s assistance, the private farmers he worked with are using more environmentally friendly production methods and growing and selling new vegetables. Some have obtained long-term contracts with local restaurants. "These new contracts will increase our incomes and create year-round markets for our products," concludes farmer Vladimir Olesk.