Floresta USA Incorporated

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Floresta listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2008 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.

MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is one of the “best ministries” and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. No one is able to give to every ministry that one values as we are not possessed of unlimited resources. It is best to make an assessment of our options and make discerning decisions. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list:

1. Transparency
2. Truth Claims
3. Values/ Worldview
4. Sectors/Functions
5. Resourcefulness
6. Red Flag Issues
7. Consultation

A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.

Inclusion on this Shining Light list does not mean this ministry or other listed ministries are perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose to the top.

This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.
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MinistryWatch.com’sTake
July 2003
By Michele Prince, Research Fellow



Transformers of Lives and Souls
Floresta and its partners have developed an ingenious way to help people out of poverty, reverse deforestation in the forests worldwide and to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This ministry saw the importance of engineering a plan that would protect the environment, produce economic growth and evangelize the lost in the world.

Out of desperation to survive and provide for their families the farmers began to strip the forest of its trees to provide farm land for their crops yet after much use of the same land with no land to alternate with, the earth no longer provided the nutrients it needed to grow crops. Therefore they had cut more forest hence the loss of the much need trees. It was a vicious cycle with no end insight. As the population grew and the larger farms begin to take over the valleys the poorer farmers were forced to cut on the hillsides where erosion began to take place. With the loss of the native trees to hold in the moisture the earth lost the water causing the water table to be lost along with rivers and streams.

As a relief volunteer in Dominican Republic the founder of Floresta, Thomas Woodard realized that true development should not force people to rely on others for help or just a handout. People really did want an opportunity to provide for their families and themselves thus the vision of Agroforestry and reforestation came into being to help accomplish this plus restore the use to the land. The economical development would provide for the farmers and yet profit the environment. Thus Floresta came up with a plan that would last a lifetime of restoration in productivity of deprived land and restore self-respect to the poverty stricken farmers.

Floresta believes that spiritual and physical needs go hand in hand. It is through a relationship with Jesus that peoples hearts not only change but their attitudes towards their neighbors also changes, thus allowing communities to learn and grow together for the betterment of the land. As Floresta educates farmers about the land and new techniques of planting and harvesting not only do they produce financial stability but begins the process of reforestation .In addition the deforestation is halted and so the reminder of the rain forests are saved which are vital to the environments survival.

There are over 8000 families that are involved in this program and through loans, education in sustainable agriculture, reforestation, assistances in community organizing, role building and marketing assistants many lives are being changed for the better. The success that Floresta has shown in their ministry has far past many other organizations.

Most destruction was not done out of greed but out of necessity to survive. Farmers trying to provide for their families in the tropics do sixty percent of the slash and burn. The devastation of the lands is not only a local concern but affects every nation to some degree. Many of the environmental organizations are stopping the deforestation of the forest by buying the land to preserve it but this does not solve the problem of the farmers. Floresta on the other hand is reversing the damage done by employing the farmers for the job of reforestation using a technique called Agroforestry.

Floresta solution to the deforestation, poverty and migration is accomplished by a technology called Agroforestry which consists of planting fast growing trees to be used as fuel (most families either use wood or charcoal as their fuel resources), fruit trees that provide an inexpensive and workable forest cover, plus planting trees that replace the nitrogen back in the soil so that it may be used again giving the survival farmers the opportunity to remain and plant their traditional crops on their own land. The farmers are very much a part of the solution as they use what they already have while Floresta provides the tools and loans that are needed to make their farming a success. They are also offered marketing assistance to help make a profit off of their crops.

The loan that Floresta makes available to these farmers is called an Agroforestry Revolving Loan. They are given a loan of several thousand dollars to be repaid in seven years. The loans are used to establish the Agroforests. The beginning of the repayment is done after the first tree harvest. Most farmers’ profits show an increase of 500 to 600 percent while allowing the land to heal. As the loans are repaid this provides other farmers the opportunity to be accepted into the program.

Floresta through this program wants to see that all are successful in their venture so Floresta provides assistant in all areas including technical assistants. Each farmer is assigned to an extension agent who instructions them with the latest methods of agriculture plus much more.

Floresta offers Christian counseling to those families that are in the program but under no circumstance is this used as a means for accepting people into the program. Floresta lives by the example of Christ to love all peoples no matter what their religious background may be. Floresta’s philosophy is if they are helping to better the lives of those in the third world countries by enabling the poor farmers to rejuvenate they land in tree crops, they are helping them economically, reforesting the land and spreading the Gospel of Jesus in action and words they are following the scriptural teaching to be doers of the word not just hears.

Turning Dollars into Forests
Funding for the programs is given in grants from corporations and foundations along with donations from churches around the world. Activities such as conferences, speaking engagements, Christmas markets and receptions are held to raise support for the programs, including assisting in marketing the farmers’ products. Individuals may also be involved in funding. There is Sponsor a Village program where individuals donate $30.00 a month for a specific village. This money helps provide a village with empowerment to help the community members to help themselves. The donations also help provide for small business loans and savings to eradicate poverty forever.

It takes a total of 10 people to sponsor one village. All donations go directly to the village. Donors also receive information on the progress of the community, a photo of the community to remind one to pray. Progress reports are updated on a regular basis and at times Floresta will make arrangements for the sponsors to visit the villages.

Prayer is another way to get involved. Each month a new prayer request will be updated on the website. Prayer is the most powerful tool believers can use for other believers. Those wishing to make a one-time contributions can do so on a secure on-line website. A receipt will be mailed to the donor immediately.

Floresta is always looking for volunteers to help in their home offices in the United States and Canada. Help with the committee meetings in San Diego, servers at the banquets. Speakers are also needed. Occasionally volunteers are needed overseas if they posses certain skills and language capabilities.