I’ll always have fond memories of my visit to both villages, which lie almost 150 miles to the East of the capital, Ouagadougou. Both communities are classic farming communes, growing cotton, millet, sesame, peanuts, and so on. All of it organic.

The school lunch in Komadougou has been organized by the parents association since the autumn of 2009. With program subsidies, the parents buy ingredients like fish, rice, corn, beans, some vegetables, and oil for the cafeteria, contribute a portion of their harvest income, and coordinate duties in the school’s kitchen amongst themselves to ensure that lunch for the children is prepared on each and every school day. On my most recent visit, in October of last year, the school’s Principal Ouba Domènique explained that the school meals are a complete success: “It makes it possible for the children to stay at school throughout the afternoon to study, do homework, and get better grades.”

In the meantime, a well has been installed at the school, which hessnatur subsidized. It not only provides drinking water for the children, but also irrigates a small mango plantation and a vegetable garden. The students learn fieldwork hands-on while also getting first pick of the mangoes!

The school meals in Komadougou are working out even better than we and Helvetas had anticipated. And because funds for the program are secured for the long term, we’ve expanded our support to the school in Fuanliedi. I was there last in November of 2009. At that time there was a common room where lessons were also taught; the “proper” school was still in the planning stages, and was opened at the end of 2010. The school cafeteria has been operating there for several weeks already, and provides a warm lunch daily for around 120 students. The concept at Fuanliedi is the same as in Komadougou: with customers’ donated premiums matched by hessnatur’s own funding, a child receives around 100 meals – enough for about five months!

The cotton harvest is once again under way in Burkina Faso. To see the harvest first hand, we visited a village the day before yesterday where families live exclusively from organic farming. The need to differentiate organic farming from conventional methods is becoming ever more crucial.

We went out onto the fields, where a woman was working on the harvest together with her four daughters and daughters-in-law. She was quite a character. In her radiant, self assured way, she described her hard workday routine, which starts at 5:00 in the morning and ends after dusk (I have the highest respect for the hard work done in the fields at 95° in the shade – and there is no shade in the fields). Her work has become more difficult since she lost her donkey. (Back in the hotel that evening, we all spontaneously “passed the hat around” for funds for a new animal. I’ll keep you informed about how that turns out…)

A huge problem in cotton farming is GMO (gene manipulated organisms). Monsanto GMO seed stock has spread like wildfire over Burkina Faso. And organic farmers are having an increasingly difficult time of shielding their crops from contamination.
Unfortunately, the cotton harvest in Burkina Faso has fallen considerably short of expectations this year. The are surely many reasons for this. One of them, however, is that there was simply too small a supply of non-GMO seed stock. Yet another fact which supports the idea that GMO only causes problems for others. Monsanto, in the midterm at least, will probably be the only grinning winner of this game, in any case.

Over the last years, the demand for organic cotton from Burkina Faso could be well satisfied. Today, the situation is different. Cotton demands have increased dramatically since the recovery from the financial crisis. And so has the price. In the meantime, the demand has been so great that the organic market has been exhausted as well. So now everyone wants cotton, and regrettably there’s not enough fiber on hand. It must be divvied up.

A considerable increase in cotton cultivation is planned for next year. That would be nice, of course. I just hope there’s enough seed stock to go around.

I returned from Ghana and Burkina Faso in October. “The Real Africa”, as I was proudly and repeatedly told by the public at large. I was there for a vacation, actually. Public transportation took me from Accra in Ghana towards the West (to the coast and the old slave forts) and via Kumasi (home of West Africa’s largest market) into the North towards Burkina Faso.

Then the opportunity presented itself to meet the farmers and tour the cotton fields where every year hessnatur’s organic, Fair Trade cotton grows. What, sleep in on vacation? Not that day. At 7am we were already on our way to the cotton fields. The morning air was pleasantly fresh when we started out, then the sun blazed mercilessly down upon us and it was past 100° Fahrenheit in no time. The drive was short, at least. After all, we had gotten as far as Fada N’Gourma in Eastern Burkina Faso before we stopped the night before.

No matter how short the drive, though, I was still lost within seconds. The driver turned off at spots where I didn’t even see a road at first. Left, right, and left again, bumping between fields. Then we were in a village. A village which lives from the cotton harvest, and which has adapted itself completely to organic cotton farming. There, we met up with farmer Pierre and his family, and went out into the fields. First, we passed other crops growing in addition to cotton – millet and beans for instance. And then I was finally on one of the long anticipated cotton fields, and together with the African family, I started in on the harvest.

It was quickly plain to see – I pick differently. Many of the women still had small children bound to their backs, while I was already sweating all by myself. The locals stood upright, bending at the waist to pick the cotton. I knelt between the plants, scuttling around like a beetle through the field. My fingers plucked daintily through the plants, each having four or five capsules with both fiber and seeds. The seeds are kept for next years sewing, or pressed for cottonseed oil.

The cotton field was also surrounded by lovely yellow flowers. Farming with aesthetics? Sort of. They were companion plants. In addition to their nice looks, the blossoms had a completely practical purpose. They produce a fragrance which lures unwanted pests away from the harvest. An efficient and environmentally friendly solution that is also just plain pretty. At about mid-day, we took a break to enjoy the fruit of the shea tree. Delicious. And because of the organic plantation surrounding the tree, I didn’t have to worry about damaging pesticides, poisons, or other contaminants.

Eventually, my day came to an end. I was happy – I helped harvest the fiber for the next organic cotton tee shirt from hessnatur. Of course, it’ll take about a year to make its way into the collection, but I was already looking forward to it. At the same time, I was all tuckered out – dripping with sweat and everything hurt. I just wasn’t used to that kind of physical labor in the scorching heat. My respect to all the people who harvest cotton in this season. Every day, they stand out in the heat and collect this wonderful fiber. It’s good to know that they not only get a bonus for an organic product, but receive a Fair Trade premium as well. I certainly think they deserve it.

After filming in the cotton fields, we traveled on to the school in Komadougou. We began a program supporting the school’s cafeteria last year, and with the help of hessnatur customers, we can guarantee about 400 kids a warm lunch. I was really looking forward to the reunion, and Steffi, a first-timer in Burkina Faso, was also quite eager to visit the school.

We arrived by Jeep just before noon. Several students were already at recess and approached us curiously. One extended his hand to Steffi in greeting – and seconds later she was surrounded by children offering their hands.

Shortly thereafter, Daniel and Jeroen unpacked their camera and started filming a lesson in a third grade class. Geography. In addition to the many tribal languages spoken in Burkina Faso, French is also in common use, and we learned along with the kids: How many provinces are in Burkina Faso? How many languages are spoken in the country? What is the name of the capital? The children knew considerably more than we did. Young arms shot up constantly, fingers snapping to give the answer.

At the same time, the parent’s association was meeting in the school yard. They were delighted with our visit and happy at reuniting – I spoke with the parent representatives about the school cafeteria project on my last visit in November, 2009. They are aware of hessnatur’s financial support, with which they can continue to operate the cafeteria. Also important to the parents, however, is that food harvested from the village’s own farms is provided for the cafeteria.

The parents’ feedback after a year of school menus: the quality of the meals has improved enormously, and more and more kids are staying for lunch. A great success! And now the school cafeteria project is ready for the second stage: a well. Currently, water must be brought to the school in canisters. With a well, the students can have fresh drinking water along with their warm lunches.

Additionally, the school principle is planning a mango plantation and a few gardens, where the students can learn farming techniques for various fruits and vegetables right on the school grounds. Considering that so many parents, as well as their children, live from agriculture, this is a crucial subject. And an important step toward a better future.

I’d like to tell you about my latest trip to Burkina Faso, which brought me together with our project-partners Helvetas and the cotton farmers from the village of Komadougou once again.

Actually, the original plan was to take a private round trip through Ghana and Burkina Faso. But just before departure to Accra, Georg Felber, the project manager on site, asked me if I could introduce our mutual project for a segment on Africa Report, along with presenting our subsidized school cafeteria in Komadougou. Africa Report is broadcast via satellite in Africa and the US, as well as streamed over the web – as soon as we have a broadcast date, we’ll let you know about it here on the blog, of course.

No sooner said than done – from Ouagadougou, I took off with the Helvetas team to Fada N’Gourma in the eastern part of the country, and from there, on to Komadougou. I enjoyed a reunion with Pierre Bangou there. He’s a cotton farmer and president of the local farmer’s association, with whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting twice before on my travels last year.

After the rainy season, the farmers are busy in the cotton fields with the first harvest – nice footage for cameraman Daniel and producer Jeroen, along with, of course, a bundle of new information for them about the specialties of organic farming. What’s easily observed and explained on Pierre Bangou’s fields is the interaction between cotton plants and so-called “trap plants” and the karité or shea tree.

“Trap plants” (in the foreground on the left side of the photo) are planted between the cotton seedlings, where they draw harmful insets and pests away from the cotton crop. Pest management the natural way.

On the right side of the photo, in the background, a shea tree can be seen growing in the middle of the cotton field. The tree’s fruit, which is about the size of a lemon and and has pear-like flesh, is also organically grown thanks to the cotton fields around it, and is enjoyed by the farmers’ families or sold in the local market.

The fruit’s oily pit is dried, out of which sheabutter is extracted. The extract finds many uses in natural soaps and cosmetics, which are enjoying a burgeoning market in Burkina Faso.

After filming in the fields with Daniel and Jeroen, we were off to the school in Komadougou, where we’ve been supporting the school cafeteria for a year now. Around 400 kids are guaranteed a warm lunch. The parents’ association was meeting when we arrived, and was delighted at the spontaneous reunion and a chat about the school kitchen. But more about that next week…

I’ve really pushed myself again. This morning, we were with Ramesh, the dyer. Everything for New SADLE is dyed here, including the products for hessnatur. Bit by bit, I have converted his dyes from “local dye stuff” to European varieties, which are produced under more transparent criteria. From the European producers, I receive reliable framework conditions. After extensive tests for heavy metals, formaldehyde, etc. we were able to approve the dyes. Today we were once again able to optimize a dye, as Ramesh has access to a new dyeing apparatus.

Then we had a really crazy appointment: I toured a wool felt production center. Deliciously colorful, wonderful products! I found just tons of great stuff there, from felt hats and crazy handbags to felt-ball necklaces. We’ll see what our designers have to say about this assortment. Speaking of designers: Anette Hoffman, our designer for women’s fashions, is looking for embroidered cotton fabrics. Hari introduced me to a few samples made from organic cotton, and I was impressed. And scores of cartons full of organic cotton are loitering around New SADLE’s office as we speak! Let’s get a move on!

This afternoon I had a meeting with Dr. Massmann, of the GLS- Foundations for the Future. I set upon her with all the charm I could muster and spoke with her about the urgent need for a well to be dug in Kapan near New SADLE. There was no further need to stress the necessity of an ultrasound with her, as we have, dear readers, already talked about that.

This evening, we had a general meeting to wrap up the whole visit. That’s always important after being inundated with new information and ideas. After that, diner in the company of my friends here, and a heartfelt farewell. I’m off to India, where I will meet with a partner in our Burkina Faso project. It’s a small world. “Namaste” merely becomes “Namaska”.

I first introduced you to Ouba Montadi from Burkina Faso in my post about our visit to our organic farming project (Visiting the Fields of White Gold).  Ouba is a farmer from the village of Fuanliedi.

Ouba told me, “it’s special that no chemicals are used.  It is an organic field and we do not use any chemical fertilizers.  We use a natural plant-based manure from beginning to end.”

In May, Ouba begins the planting process. It is important to begin putting the seeds in the earth before the first rain.  The rainy season usually begins in June and lasts until September or, at the latest, the beginning of October.  This is the cotton growth season.  The growth is dependent on rain, since there is no artificial watering system in these fields.  During that time, Ouba and the other farmers weed and add organic manure, created from plant extracts.  At the end of the rainy season, the West African sun dries the cotton fields.  “That’s when the cotton plants begin blooming and we start to harvest,” says Ouba.

Ouba and the other farmers – many of them women – pick the mature cotton blossoms. Bunches of the finest raw cotton then dry naturally between the small round houses and compounds inhabited by the farmers and their families.  This is the first step in creating beautiful, sustainable hessnatur apparel.

Exclusive Preview Summer Collection 2010

To create awareness of the importance of wearing organic cotton, our very own designer, Simone Janintz, created a tee made from cotton grown and harvested at the hessnatur organic cotton project in Burkina Faso.

The message, “the flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today” on the outline of the African continent, doesn’t just speak to the cotton itself, but also to the belief that the environmental seeds we plant today will determine the flowers of our future.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Win Today’s Tee!
If you want to join in spreading the awareness, the tee can be yours when you comment below, telling us why.  The winner will be chosen based on creativity and originality.

If you’re chosen, hessnatur will email you and ship the tee to the address provided in your email.

Contest Rules
Must be 18 years of age to enter.  Please, one entry per person.  Giveaway is available to residents of the U.S. only  If we don’t hear back from the entrant within twenty-four (24) hours, we’ll pick another winner.  No substitutions for cash. By submitting, you are agreeing to the full rules and restrictions.  Open for entries until Thursday, March 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Environmental and social crises are called out in “lawn” signs around the earth, from over-fishing to the destruction of the Amazon rain forest.  Designer Miguel Adrover created a compelling message and graphic to inspire awareness and action.

Created from organic cotton grown at the hessnatur organic farming project in Burkina Faso, West Africa, the tee was produced at Grameen Knitwear in Bangladesh, part of the network founded by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Win Today’s Tee!
If this is the tee that inspires you, you can win it by commenting below, telling us why the tee reflects your beliefs.  The winner will be decided based on creativity and originality.

If you’re selected, hessnatur will email you and ship the tee to the address provided in your email.

Contest Rules
Must be 18 years of age to enter.  Please, one entry per person.  Giveaway is available to residents of the U.S. only  If we don’t hear back from the entrant within twenty-four (24) hours, we’ll pick another winner.  No substitutions for cash. By submitting, you are agreeing to the full rules and restrictions.  Open for entries until Thursday, March 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The winner of the hessnatur/planetgreen.com Eco-Tee Challenge, Lindsay Seligman, California designer, created this special tee with one simple line depicting creatures of the earth forming the message “One Life”.

The tee is pure organic cotton from our organic farming project in Burkina Faso, West Africa.  Produced at Grameen Knitwear in Bangladesh, part of the network founded by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, recipient of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize, the tee is made with the highest social standards.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Win Today’s Tee!
If this is your message tee of choice, win it by commenting below, giving us your reasons why.  The winner will be chosen based on creativity and originality.

If you’re chosen, hessnatur will email you and ship the tee to the address provided in your email.

Contest Rules
Must be 18 years of age to enter.  Please, one entry per person.  Giveaway is available to residents of the U.S. only  If we don’t hear back from the entrant within twenty-four (24) hours, we’ll pick another winner.  No substitutions for cash. By submitting, you are agreeing to the full rules and restrictions.  Open for entries until Thursday, March 18, at 11:59 p.m. EST.