Livestock in Haiti is an additional source of income for families and often considered a Haitian's piggy bank since these animals are sold when families need to send their children to school or pay for a major expense. A relatively recent addition to many households is the domesticated rabbit since rabbits breed quickly and offer a source of protein. Since raising rabbits is a new operation for families, some problems have arisen due to improper feeding practices. Partners of the Americas requested the assistance of a FAVACA volunteer to provide a training on rabbit and goat nutrition to help relieve some of the health problems of rabbits and ensure goats are eating and drinking properly. Dr. Brian Rude of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at Mississippi State University answered the call to volunteer and traveled to Haiti from June 6 through June 21, 2010. Rude's first task was to become familiar with animal (rabbit and goat, primarily) production systems and feedstuffs, understand advantages and shortcomings faced with the production of these animals; and identify potential feedstuffs to enhance nutrient management. Once Rude was able to identify foodstuffs to enhance the nutrient management, he held classroom and field sessions to educate and train students regarding the importance of and need for proper nutrition for production animals such that they can eventually be of assistance to animal producers. Rude worked with groups in the southern department of Haiti such as the American University in Les Cayes and agricultural groups in Aquin, and also provided training to groups in Grand Boulage and northern department of Haiti in towns just outside of Cap Haitien. Rude was able to recommend to rabbit raisers to use a stable diet, consistent moisture content in their diet and removal of parasites to reduce incidents of diarrhea and other problems. Rude also recommended that especially goats and cattle have more access to water in their diets.

With the support of Tupperware, FAVACA hosted a Haitian Hometown Association workshop at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando on Saturday, July 17th, 2010. Approximately 40 members of Haitian Hometown Associations and other organizations that strive to help towns across Haiti recover from the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti six months ago gathered at UCF's Harris Engineering Center for a day-long workshop to network and build fundraising and financial accounting skills. In the past year, FAVACA hosted several Haitian hometown association workshops in Boca Raton, Davie and North Miami Beach. Based on a request from Nancy Charles of Orange County Public Schools, and a member of Haiti Help Med Plus and the Orlando Haitian community, FAVACA began the organization of a workshop. FAVACA veteran volunteer Jim Mueller guided the fundraising and organizational development workshop and Tania Delinois, a FAVACA volunteer who provided post-trauma counseling in Haiti post-floods and post-earthquake, provided a session on proposal writing.

Beekeeping in Haiti is a growing but still underutilized industry in Haiti. Beyond the immediate benefit of pollinating agricultural fields, beekeeping creates a cottage industry where beekeepers can sell honey and secondary bee products like candles and waxes adding much needed income. In a collaborative effort to increase the hive technology used by beekeeping associations across Haiti, FAVACA and Partners of the Americas identified hive construction material manufacturing as two areas that could greatly strengthen the capacity of local beekeepers.

Makouti Agro Enterprise, Southern Apiculture Society, Komin Akien Apiculture Association (AAKA), and the Pilate Beekeepers Cooperative were just a few of a variety of beekeeping organizations from the Northern and Southern Departments of Haiti that veteran FAVACA volunteer Sofie Geckler worked from May 23- June 6, 2010. Geckler taught the construction of Kenya Top Bar hives, which is less expensive to construct and easier to maintain than the Langstroth hives commonly found in the United States. Working closely with local carpenters to construct approximately eight hives Geckler was able to provide templates to ensure each wood piece is cut correctly. Beekeeping equipment in Haiti is only found in select areas of the country and is rather expensive, yet also very necessary to maintain healthy hives. Protective gloves and veils are especially important and the latter is in short supply in Haiti, so beekeepers and tailors were taught how to make gloves and veils with locally found materials. Thanks to Geckler's volunteer service, at least 40 beekeepers, carpenters, and tailors can construct Kenya Top Bar hives or protective veils.

FAVACA in collaboration with Florida State University's College of Motion Picture Arts traveled to Haiti to investigate international development programs and the type of assistance that creates long-term positive outcomes and impact on the country. The Film School enjoys a high level of prestige and recognition that is unparalleled among its peers and has been recognized by members of the industry with honors and awards since its creation. Film producer Sabrina Reisinger de Angulo from Florida State University's College of Motion Picture Arts and students Patrick Gines and Hali Gardella traveled to Haiti April 25-May 1 to capture images and stories from past FAVACA partners to understand the benefits of long-term commitment to short-term technical assistance that FAVACA has provided for nearly thirty years. Past partners interviewed during their visit included: the Minister of Tourism, the head of the Bureau of Civil Protection, Village of Vision in Lamardelle, the Haitian Hotel Association who shared their inspirational stories of success and positive change that has occurred as a result of FAVACA's technical assistance. Upon their return to Tallahassee, the students created a short documentary and shared their film with other motion picture institutions throughout the nation.