Portland, OR — October 31, 2016—Winrock International Farmer-to-Farmer Volunteer Dorene Petersen is traveling to Nepal for a three-week assignment in the Kathmandu, Sarlahi, and Bardiya districts in November 2016 to train union members on essential oil distillation, strategic marketing, and high-quality production skills. Petersen, a well-known aromatherapy essential oil expert and speaker, is president and founder of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) and Chair of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC). She will be accompanied by her husband, Robert Seidel, president and founder of The Essential Oil Company.
Petersen will work with the Forest Environment Worker’s Union Nepal (FEWUN), which has more than 10,000 members, including approximately 4,000 youth who work with medicinal herbs, aromatic oils, and plumbing, among other tasks. Greater development of aromatic essential oil production could make a significant contribution to poverty reduction efforts by providing the youth with skilled job opportunities.
Petersen will tour essential oil facilities and work hands-on with FEWUN members to assess current propagation methods and processing techniques. She will also train youth and association members to promote the essential oil processing business and will conduct marketing trainings to strengthen the development of youth entrepreneurship.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have been selected for this volunteer opportunity,” says Dorene Petersen. “Small business and sustainability are two of my passions, and I’m really hopeful I will be able to help the FEWUN identify and start to develop a business strategy that provides much-needed income while also protecting the health and wellbeing of the environment. I can’t wait to get there and meet these wonderful people!”
Follow Petersen’s volunteer trip on ACHS social media, including Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ACHSedu] and Twitter [https://twitter.com/achsedu]. For questions about this press release or to schedule an interview with Dorene Petersen, email [email protected].
About ACHS
Founded in 1978, ACHS.edu is an accredited global educator in online integrative health education. With undergraduate and graduate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and CEUs in integrative medicine, ACHS makes holistic health and wellness education accessible to a diverse community of learners, including healthcare professionals, military students, stay-at-home parents, and lifelong learners. Specializations include aromatherapy, herbal medicine, holistic nutrition, and wellness. A Certified B Corporation and 2016 Top Green Workplace, ACHS is also accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Visit www.achs.edu.
About Winrock International
Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. Winrock’s John Ogonowski and Doug Berueter Farmer-to-Farmer Program fields approximately 200 volunteers each year to assist farmers, agribusinesses, and local organizations worldwide. Under this program, skilled U.S. volunteers provide expertise in a wide variety of areas, including agricultural sciences, farming, agribusiness, enterprise development, marketing, food processing, food safety, and organizational development. Winrock implements Farmer-to-Farmer activities in several countries across Africa and Asia. Program funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through the Food for Peace program under the US Farm Bill, covers volunteer travel expenses and makes the program possible. Volunteers find these assignments to be personally and professionally rewarding. Helping people help themselves is a contribution that makes sense. For more information about Winrock International’s Farmer-to-Farmer Volunteer program and opportunities, visit https://www.winrock.org/join-us/volunteer/.
