Blog #3- Plan to save the world

My plan to save the world consists in getting Peace Corps and underdeveloped countries where Peace Corps already has a working platform, to work together to undertake a challenging yet simple project to plant soy bean gardens as an alternative source of food and income. “Growing soybeans has become increasingly popular with home gardeners. These warm weather plants are native to Africa, Asia, and Australia. They have gained popularity here due to their health benefits. They are high in fiber and protein, and area good source of calcium. They taste good, too. Home gardeners find it is easy to grow soybeans. They are grown just like any other bush bean, and produce high yields” (http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/soybean.htm). Soy beans can be eaten as nuts, milk, cheese, tofu, etc. They are not only nutritious, they are easy to grow in home gardens for individual consumption and can be a good product of commercialize in cooperatives, which Peace Corps volunteers are great at forming, as a source of income for poor families and whole villages.



This plan to save the world is intended for Peace Corps Leadership Team formed by its Director, Aaron S. Williams, Deputy Director, Carrie Hessler-Radelets, Inspector General, and Peace Corps three regional post managers. They in turn can give life to this plan by presenting it to United States Congress and Executive Branch since Peace Corps report to them. The other audience this plan is intended for is the Host Country Governments that allow Peace Corps to carry out their projects.


The reason why Peace Corps should follow this plan is because it fits with its founder’s, President John F. Kennedy, “idea to promote peace and friendship. Its mission has three simple goals: Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans” (http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.mission). Today many people around the world are portraying The US as an imperialist, capitalist enemy of the underdeveloped world. The United States can benefit by allowing people to actually experience that they do want to promote peace and friendship. This can be a great project to celebrate Peace Corps 50th anniversary in 2011. In addition, the US can benefit from this project since it would lessen the migration of thousand of people looking for a better way of life for themselves and their families.


Underdeveloped Host Country Governments can benefit since there is much hunger, poverty and violence plaguing their countries. People can not achieve a better way of life if their basic necessities are not met first. Migration also affects host countries. Loss of a strong workforce and broken families are among the few problems it causes. In addition, Human Trafficking has become a great business for those whose lack scruples and disregard human life for cash. Last week news shocked the world when 72 people were massacred in Mexico, many of which were Honduran.


Instead of punishing people for not planting soy beans, incentives should be offered. Initial bean seeds and fertilizers should be given to them free of charge, as part of the project. The governments should protect soy bean planters.


“Peace Corps Statistics


Current number of Volunteers and Trainees:


7,671


Current number of countries served:


77 countries


Volunteers by Work Area


Education: 35%


Health & HIV/AIDS: 22%


Business Development: 15%


Environment: 14%


Agriculture: 5%


Youth Development: 5%


Other: 4%


Where Volunteers Serve


Africa: 37%


Latin America: 24%


Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 20%


Asia: 7%


North Africa/Middle East: 4%


Pacific Islands: 4%


The Caribbean: 4%”


(http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about.fastfacts)

“How to grow soybeans


Days to Maturity: Plants require about 85 days to harvest. Try succession planting for continuous harvest over several weeks.


Sowing Soybean Seeds: Plant outdoors after the last frost date for your area. Soil should be warm before planting. Sow Soybean seeds 2 inches apart, in rows 20" to 24" apart. If your garden space is limited, plant in double rows. Water well after planting and a second time two to four days later, only if there has been no rain. Side dress the rows with general purpose fertilizer during planting.


How to Grow Soybeans: Soybeans are easy to grow. They grow best in full sun and in warm weather. They prefer a rich soil, high in nitrogen. Soil should be kept moist for optimum growth.


Soybeans grow best in rich soil. Add manure and compost prior to planting. Fertilizer regularly during the growth period.


Harvest soybeans when the pods are full. Rinse the pods, and then boil them for twenty minutes. Allow to cool, and then squeeze the pods to remove the beans. Beans can be frozen or canned.


Did you know? Soybean plants are rich in nutrients. After the harvest, put plants in the compost pile; turn them into your soil.


Insects and Pests: Like other beans, soybeans are susceptible to a variety of insects, most notably beetles. They can be effectively treated with Sevin, Diazinon or a variety of other insecticides.


Rabbits eat the the tender new leaves. If there are rabbits in your area, a rabbit fence is not a nicety, it is a necessity. They will devastate a row of beans in a hurry, eating the tender new leaves. As new ones develop, they will come back for more.


Diseases of Soybeans: Bacterial and wilt diseases are common among the Bean family. This plant disease arrives with summer heat and humidity. This often occurs just before, or during, the ripening of the crop. Fungicides are recommended in areas of high heat and humidity.


Hardiness: Beans are not a hardy plant. They are susceptible to cold and frost. Hold off planting until a few days before all danger of frost is past. In the fall, cover the crop on nights when the temperature is expected to go below 40 degrees” (http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/soybean.htm).

Work Cited:
http://thewindbeneathmychickenwings.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/peacecorps.jpg
http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/peace-corps/images/volunteers-1961.gif
http://www.collegenews.org/Images/peacecorps_logo.jpg
http://www.gardenersnet.com/vegetable/soybean.htm
http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=about