2003 Accomplishments

The University of California at Davis Office of International Programs provided a $10,000 grant to C. Qualset and L. Clement, both affiliated with the University, as partial support for a symposium to be held in July 2004 at the farm site and the University of Siauliai. Qualset was accompanied by Professor Charles Francis, a specialist in stainable agriculture research and education, in Lithuania in May 2003. They had discussions at the Ministry of Agriculture, Lithuanian Agricultural University, and Siauliai University where the symposium concept was warmly accepted, both for participation of Lithuanian scientists and sponsorship support. The symposium participants will include farmers, agriculture business representatives, scientists and agricultural development specialists from the U.S., Lithuania and other countries.

Both Qualset and Francis presented papers at an international conference on rural development at the Lithuanian Agricultural University in Kaunas, Lithuania. Qualset's presentation was presented in behalf of Foundation board members and local staff, "The Auksuciai Project in Lithuania: Building a new Paradigm for Rural Development." He also conducted a workshop on priority setting for the Foundation's projects at the Farm and Forestry Center. Development of this agenda is the main goal of the 2004 symposium. Qualset also made a similar presentation at the annual convention of the American Society of Agronomy in Denver, Colorado in November 2003.

Board Member Lawrence Clement, V.P, of Operations, served as Director of the farm. In addition, he made a presentation regarding the Auksuciai Foundation program to the Lithuanian Sciences and Creativity Conference in Chicago.

A grant was received from the Lithuanian-American Foundation as partial support for the education symposium previously mentioned.

Thirty-six donors contributed $19,900 to the Foundation during 2003. The Foundation has no paid administrative overhead; therefore, 100% of the donation funds were used to support programs in Lithuania.

Jurgita Tamutyte, a M.S. Landscape Architecture student from the University of Michigan developed an on-site plan for landscaping the farm entrance and pond area utilizing native species of plants. She has agreed to continue as the Foundation's volunteer landscaping consultant. Her activities were funded by personal contributions from the Board and grants from the University of Michigan. Jurgita is a native of Siauliai.

A Research and Education Report was published showing results of experiments of 2002 trials with various vegetable, grain and forage crops.

Along term research site for study of agricultural systems was initiated at the farm. The research is focusing on "ecologically friendly" agriculture. This project will be known as the Long-Term Research on Agricultural Ecological Systems (LTRAES) and will attempt to determine the long-term effects of intensive farming systems on the environment.

Dr. Charles Francis reviewed the farm and forest site and its activities and presented a very useful report the presented suggestions for improvement of the goals and overall operations.

A new financial accountant was hired and an improved accounting system was instituted.

The farm manager completed newly required Safety School courses.

Contact was made with the Siauliai University Botany Department for identification of native plant species found at the farm.

Two additional plastic greenhouses were constructed, making a total of four, for early establishment of seedlings of vegetable crops and other research activities at the farm.

Extensive research trials on blueberries and commercial plantings of asparagus are planned for 2004.

Foundation Board members made five trips to Lithuania in support of fulfilling Center's activities.

The Farm and Forest Center Board of Directors includes several Lithuanian specialists along with members of the Foundation Board of Directors. This Board met in Lithuania in 2003.

Foundation President V. Sliupas continued his work in Lithuania on the legal status of the Foundation's and Center's activities in Lithuania and pursued the complex issues surrounding the construction of the Center's new building to support research and outreach education.

Major Accomplishments Year 2002

Sent 120,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to Alma Adamkiene Children's Fund, an orphanage in Siauliai and books for Siauliai City library. Also included was $125,000 of donated farm equipment for use at the Auksuciai Farm Center

The Foundation designated Vice-President and Director of Programs as the Director of the Auksuciai Farm Center, who spent 9 months on the site during which he complete a plan of operations, conducted research, and developed a Lithuanian non-profit corporation for local operations. Hires a farm manager, research assistant and accountant.

Provided funding to Auksuciai Farm Center to publish its 2002 Research and Educational Report, showing results of experiments conducted on various fruit, vegetable grain and forage crops.

Conducted its first Farmers' Day in August of 2002. The event was designed to show farmers the research projects and assist them in gaining new knowledge and information for their individual farms. The Field Day was an introduction to the local farming community of the Center's purpose and long-term research and education agenda for their benefit.

Erected a 60' by 90' (20 by 30 meter) steel machinery and storage building, completed electric service, drilled a new well and enlarged the existing fire pond.

Updated website and computer systems and developed a new promotional brochure for the Auksuciai Foundation and The Auksuciai Farm Center.

Sponsored a student from the Lithuanian University of Agriculture in Kaunas for nine months of study and hands-on work in California.

Arranged Agreements of Cooperation between the University of California, Davis and the Lithuanian University of Agriculture in Kaunas and Siauliai University.

Major Accomplishments Year 2001

Obtained major grant to build Agricultural Research and Learning Center at the institute site in Lithuania Sent $200,000 Humanitarian Aid shipment to Lithuania in addition which $125,000 in farm equipment was delivered for use at the Auksuciai Institute Sponsored a student from the Lithuanian University of Agriculture for eleven months of study and hands-on work in agriculture in California