On March 27, ACDI/VOCA and its affiliates Tanager and AV Ventures hosted a virtual event for those who volunteered with us in the past to reconnect and learn how the organization is moving forward in uncertain times for the international development industry. The event brought together over 80 former volunteers from across the US and the globe to reconnect and share their stories and passion for volunteerism.
Brad Perry, an agricultural economist from Omaha, Nebraska, was one of the many volunteers who attended the event. We had the chance to talk to Perry about his experience completing 16 volunteer assignments with ACDI/VOCA around the world, including in Zambia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Liberia, Ghana, Estonia, Georgia, and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Perry is the owner of a consulting company that has primarily served agricultural cooperatives for nearly 40 years. His company specializes in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and management skills development to help agricultural businesses develop and implement their visions. Perry holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and master’s degree in economics from The Ohio State University.
Read our “Question & Answer” with Perry below and learn more about our Volunteer Programs.
Q: Please tell us about your most recent volunteer assignment. What was your goal? Who did you work with?
A: My last in-person project was to the Kyrgyz Republic. I travelled about the entire country encouraging farmers to develop cooperatives — not with the old Soviet model but with the Rochdale Principles as their focus. I also evaluated some newly formed cooperatives and suggested areas for improvement. Another project (virtual) was to assist in the formation of a farm-to-market food cooperative in Nepal. Very professional people!
Q: You volunteered in Ethiopia back in 2005 with ACDI/VOCA, as part of the Agricultural Cooperatives in Ethiopia Program (ACE). A farmers’ cooperative you assisted there went on to sell their coffee to global markets, including Starbucks. What was that assignment like, and what were you hoping to achieve? What kind of support did you provide?
A: That assignment was actually to develop and hone financial management skills among Ethiopian cooperative managers. Most in attendance worked for coffee cooperatives. Following a day of classes, I was asked by several attendees, who were with Sidama Coffee Farmers’ Union, if I would help them prepare a PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming meeting they were to have with Starbucks.
We developed a presentation together with the use of my computer and projector. They did most of the work; I asked questions. This led to Sidama being a “Black Apron” coffee with Starbucks. [Starbucks previously sold a line of coffee called Black Apron Exclusive, which featured rare, high-quality, single-origin coffees.]
Q: Why do you think the cooperative was able to achieve commercial success?
A: It’s ALWAYS about the people! Virtually all my assignments have been with people who cared and wanted better lives for their families.
Perry first worked with Gashe Werqu, of Ethiopia, during his first assignment to Ethiopia in 2000, forming an immediate connection with him thanks to Werqu’s time spent at the University of Nebraska and with Nebraskan farmers. The two soon found they had a lot in common. Perry was impressed by Werqu’s dedication to Ethiopian farmers, particularly coffee growers, and by the value he placed on volunteerism within the cooperative movement. According to Perry, Werqu believed that people helping others without expectation of personal gain lay at the heart of successful cooperatives. Inspired by that shared belief, Perry returned to Ethiopia multiple times to continue supporting this work.
Q: What was the most rewarding part of this or other volunteer assignments you completed in the past?
A: Seeing attendees “get it” or understand what you’re trying to teach! Following that, it’s been the dedication and commitment of the participants.
Q: Thanks for chatting with us! Anything else you would like to share?
A: Volunteering has been a highlight of my career. Thank you for the opportunities.
Learn more about our Volunteer Programs.
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