Just wanted to post a quick update. SFS and the AAN have been really busy in the past weeks, so there hasn't been much time to write. Our Alternative School wrapped up last thursday: Bennett organized a slideshow for the students and had a brief english "test," and P's Nok, Samrat, Jin, Ae, Lungrot and Pakphum all came for a final chat and exchange with the students, before heading out to the garden to plant the guava trees we had grafted and make some more hand-made, natural soap. Bennett is now working in Kudchum, Yasothon on a collaborative research project on local food and consumption in Nonyang village. He's working with Bunsong Mathkao - the president of the AAN. He also got a chance to meet with farmers in northern Yasothon and Mukdahan province who learned with a Japanese organic farming master. The story and more photos to come. Below, chilis from Myanmar at the morning market on Weds.


Today we're taking out our campaign flags and heading into the streets: on Feb. 21 the Surin Green Market is relocating and we've got to get the word out! Today we'll be hosting a public forum at our old market site and then walking through the center of the city with consumers, other NGOs and the Kids Love Nature group from Tabthai village. For Kids Love Nature, today's campaign is a great chance to show Surin what local food means to them. Feb. 21 we'll be hosting an event on seeds and seed saving with other members of the AAN - it'll be a great way to kick off our time at the new Green Market location.

The AAN is also gearing up for the ASEAN People's Forum in Bangkok, from the 20-22nd - as ASEAN continues to try and make southeast Asia a "common market" that may only marginalize rural communities, the Forum is an important way for Isaan farmers' voices to be heard. Following the event, a proposal will be submitted to the ASEAN meeting in Hua Hin. Expect several updates late next week.