Want an Exciting Retirement Activity? Join a Project for Agricultural Development in a Country on Your Bucket List.

A Lithuanian-American visited my retirement office at UC Davis in 1995, a few years after Lithuania’s independence, with an idea and a proposal. Mr. Vytautas Sliupas, a retired water development engineer, had recovered ownership of his 300-acre family heritage farm in Lithuania and wondered how he could use the property to advance the economy and well-being of small-holder farmers. I agreed to join a small team [Larry Clement (UC Coop Ext.) and Lee Ruth (Retired President of Calif. Agric. Council)] to see the farm and visit with local farmers, government officials, and local agricultural businesses. This was done in 1997 and we were met with enthusiasm by all. We were encouraged to start the venture/adventure. We decided that a research-based demonstration farm would be a best first start. Field trials were completed with many crops---both current and new ones. To finance the venture we set up a California nonprofit foundation, the Auksuciai Foundation, and solicited funds from friends of Lithuania, mostly from the USA. After initial successes it became clear that a local organization was needed to carry out the educational components and research activities. Thus, the Auksuciai Farm and Forestry Center was formed and ratified as a Lithuanian public nonprofit organization. It was funded by the Auksuciai Foundation, Rotary Club International, and local grants. A California farmer donated his farm machinery that was transported to the Center. Two local universities and the Ministry of Agriculture were very supportive and participated in annual field days. The project identified asparagus as a new crop for Lithuanian farmers and a small industry has emerged. This small retirement activity generated enthusiasm and sense of accomplishment among the “locals” and “outsiders” and demonstrated some relevant principles for a relatively unexplored paradigm in international agricultural development.