​Belize Organic
Family Farming
THE DMS RESEARCH CENTER
The Diane McCormack Seagren (DMS) Research Center is a meeting place where farmers, young adults and students from various different places live, research and work together from and in BOFF communities for weeks and days. Apart from the daily work of 4-6 hours the research centre normally has a study part which is an opportunity for the participants to discuss and deal with certain topics and research results. The research centre is a helping hand in solving most of our agronomical problems that our farmers, institutions and extension force are facing, and will help teach how to improve health issues by eliminating the use of harmful chemicals, whether from agrochemicals or smoke.
Diane McCormack Seagren
Leadership
Through involvement with the DMS Research Center and Rainforest Academy, you will learn about new and traditional organic farming and tropical agriculture techniques. You will be empowered to take this knowledge back to your family and community and apply what you have learned to help everyone solve everyday challenges and to promote alternative ways of living as a sustainable organic farmer.
Your leadership will be of priceless value to your family and local community in growing healthy food, maintaining a healthy local ecosystem and adapting to the local impacts of ongoing climate change.
Research
The DMS Research Center is involved in the following areas of research:
-
Agriculture
-
Agronomy
-
Soil analysis
-
Entomology
-
post-harvest losses
-
organics
-
-
-
Climate Change
-
Appropiate Technologies
-
Entreprenuership
Internships
Interns work with BOFF staff, farmers, researchers and schools on several projects, whether by performing research that supports the organization’s mission and/or supporting individual project development and organization. These projects include the manufacturing and educational training for clean burning stoves, solar dryers, organic pest control and organic sustainable farming practices.
Interns are primarily based at a host or organization’s office in Punta Gorda town or at the research center and travel up to three times per week for field work and to the research center, located 7 miles outside of town.
Some potential research and documentation topics interns can choose to take on include:
-
How climate changes have affected agriculture in Belize
-
Identification of entomology and plant diseases in the region and appropriate solutions for farmers
-
Local animal or plant science
-
Environmental Conservation
Arrive by boat, approximately a 45 minute ride from Punta Gorda along the mangrove-banked Moho River
