Tour Leader’s Blog

After a wonderful day in Yalta yesterday exploring famous castles, we went back to business today.

We left Simferopol for the west coast of Crimea to visit some farmers in the MEDA horticultural program. En route we passed many miles of coastal beaches offering many recreational opportunities. We met with Alexander Suslov, a lead farmer who is responsible for 30 village farmers. He is a well-respected, successful farmer and has a vision for engaging over 500 village farmers to increase their crops and incomes. After an extensive tour of his operations, our world changed as we entered a 2500-year-old city, Yevpatoria, the centre of a Karim community. We observed a mosque built in the sixteenth century and a Greek Orthodox Church. A quaint city with narrow streets and wonderful people often referred to as Little Jerusalem.

Our unfortunate bus driver received a parking violation fine while we enjoyed a fine lunch at the seashore.

We then visited Michael Gzhorgashvili who was born in Uzbekistan, then deported to far eastern Soviet Union where he worked as a crane operator. When he and his family were allowed to return to Crimea, he drove truck during which time it took him eight years to obtain government permission to start farming. He now grows crops including cabbage, carrots, beets, apples, potatoes and helps 15 village farmers with their start-up farms.

From there we went to visit one of Michael’s village farmers, Ramazan. He was the first farmer to grow and sell iceberg lettuce to McDonald’s Restaurant. He also grows tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers all of which he is able to sell to wholesalers.

After a tiring day we drove back to Simferopol to enjoy yet another delicious traditional meal.

~ John Pauls

We have just departed company from the MEDA team in Melitopol. We arrived at their offices at 10:00 am and met Steve Wright and his team. Steve presented The Ukraine Horticultural Project to us. This project’s goal over the next 5 years is to help 5,000 farmers improve their income.

Their farms are typically under 1-2 hectares on which they will likely grow strawberries, raspberries, table grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes or peppers for local markets.

We then visited a lead farmer who grows his own crops on 6 hectares of land and also oversees and trains other project farmers. Edward’s previous farming experience was part of the old Soviet collective farms. En route to Edward’s land we drove through a former Soviet Air Force Base and drove past many mothball Soviet war planes. The Ukrainian government cannot financially support their complete military.

Edward planted his first crop this year which consists of 4 kinds of berries; strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and goose berries. His crop is irrigated with drip irrigation directed from the Dnieper River. He will sell his produce to the tourists at the numerous coastal Crimea resort areas.

Edward then directed us to one other farmer, Sergei, who grows strawberries on 1 hector of land beside his home. Both are enthusiastic participants anticipating their prospects for the future.

We then enjoyed a traditional meal of borscht and verenki with Steven and several other team members.

~ Audrey Voth Petkau

At the Mennonite World Conference Global Assembly last month in Asuncion, Paraguay, these were the words of Anne and David, members of the Mennonite Church of Hope in New South Wales, Australia.

Janet and I met them several times and look forward to worshipping with their congregation while on tour in Australia in Feburary. Their congregation always hosts our tour for an Aussie barbeque following their worship service.

They request an interest in our prayers as they are searching for pastoral assistance as Foppe and Alice Brower have asked for help.

Lazy Harry, an Aussie folk singer and friend of TourMagination, emailed last week to confirm the group is coming to his home in Beechworth for an barbeque and his performance. This is always such a highlight. Some of you will remember meeting Lazy Harry when we had him on tour in North America a few years ago.

There are still seats available for our tour Down Under from Feburary 5-25,2010 which also includes one week in New Zealand. Contact us today.

~ Wilmer Martin