STUDENTS: STEVE KRUZENISKI & KIRSTIN MACDONALD

This summer, Steve and Kirstin will be traveling to upper western Ghana to work on project aimed at improving food security in the Nadowli District. This new VWB/VSF project was initiated by Dr. Bruce Hunter from University of Guelph (OVC) and Dr. Isaac Luginaah, from the University of Western Ontario.

Local farmers in the Nadowli District have had a tough time raising healthy and productive guinea fowl. Every year anywhere between 20% - 80% of these birds die off during the rainy season, and so far the farmers have not been able to figure out why. During their three-month stay in Ghana, Steve and Kirstin will begin by building strong and trusting relationships with the local farming community. They will also conduct a round of necropsies to try to determine why the annual die off is happening.

While Steve and Kirstin will only be in Ghana for a short period, this is a long-term and comprehensive VWB/VSF project that will continue for several years to come.