Step-One is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization founded by Lisa Bidelspach and John Huston in 2011. Our mission is to work within communities to promote sustainable agriculture and improved animal husbandry practices through technological advancement and education. In turn, serving to enhance economic development opportunities and address quality of life issues for rural families.
OUR HISTORY
In the spring of 2010, Lisa’s biology students were working on a global service initiative through an organization known as Project Rwanda. They were successful in raising funds for this nonprofit that provided specially designed cargo bikes as affordable and practical alternatives to transportation and hauling needs.
From a personal standpoint, Lisa wanted to donate a cargo bike with a specification that it would be given to a teacher. She was introduced to John Huston who was currently working at one of the local universities in Rwanda. He explained that one of his best students had a mother who was a well – respected teacher in one of the rural communities and she would be a perfect candidate. A month later the bike was delivered amid smiles and joyful blessings.
Lisa continued to keep in touch and began to learn of the challenges faced by not only this family but countless others striving for a better future. She once again contacted John to see if something could be done in this particular case and he explained the reality of the situation. Most families in these rural communities relied heavily on farming. They rarely had positive examples of new and emerging sustainable agriculture and improved animal husbandry practices. The introduction of these concepts would make their lives not only easier but also more productive.
John suggested that this would be a great opportunity to demonstrate the idea of a “model farm”. This model would include a more “exotic” breed of cattle, an adequate shed, a system of harvesting rainwater and proper education as to how all of these components work together. With collective financing the first farm was established and is still functioning as an example to this region.
Step-One was formed as a result of this initial project. The goal is to develop similar “model farms” in a variety of locations to help move people out of poverty and transform not only generations of families but entire communities.