Community Index Page
Foundation Main Page: www.NaturalSolutionsFoundation.org

To discover, develop, document, demonstrate and disseminate natural solutions...

2010 Update: Due to world financial conditions, at this time we can only accept self-funding volunteers.

Valley of the Moon™ Eco Demonstration Project
The Grand Opening was August 8, 2010
NATURAL SOLUTIONS CENTER
The BeyondOrganic™ Restaurant & Internet Cafe
The Dr. Rima Institute
Volcan, Panama Restaurant Main Page: www.MyValleyoftheMoon.com
Opening Day Videos: http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=6069

Introduction

Natural Solutions Foundation, an International NGO, is The Voice of Global Health Freedom™. The Foundation is active and registered in several countries. In the Republic of Panama it is registered as a “nonprofit Private Interest Foundation” and as a not for profit 501(C)(3) tax exempt organization in the United States.  The Mission of the Foundation is to discover, develop, document, demonstrate and disseminate natural solutions to the issues which threaten our health, food and freedom, achieving and maintaining a healthy self, community and world.

Main Web Page for the Internship and Volunteer Programs: www.NatSol.org.

Here is the special Forum we've set-up for the Volunteer and Internship Programs:
 http://nsfvolunteers.forumotion.com

08/07/09 - Report on 2009 Summer Internship Program, Discovering Natural Solutions:
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=3236

Food Freedom eJournal:
www.FoodFreedomeJournal.org

PowerPoint presentation of the Project: http://web.me.com/dr.laibow/Site/Valley_of_the_Moon_Eng.2.ppt.html

Volunteer and Intern Communications Forum:  http://nsfvolunteers.forumotion.com

This web page describes theNatural Solutions Conservation Corp Volunteers and Internship Programs which are part of the Valley of the Moon™ Eco Community Demonstration Project (herein, Project; VotM) situated in the highlands of Chiriquí Province. Panama. The Project is part of the Foundation’s International Decade of Nutrition.

PowerPoint presentation of the Project: http://web.me.com/dr.laibow/Site/Valley_of_the_Moon_Eng.2.ppt.html

UPDATE: 2009 Volunteer Program and Internships: www.NatSol.org - alt link: http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?p=2946

The Valley of the Moon™ and the Future of Farming Land Trust™

The Valley of the Moon™ Project is intended to demonstrate the benefits of natural solutions in an ecologically sustainable environment producing, among other outputs, the main “money crop” of the Chiriquí Highlands of Panama: coffee, the “Black Gold” for which the highlands are justly renowned, and clean, unadulterated, BeyondOrganic™ food and products. The Foundation believes our Projects should be carried out with “Passion, Perfection and Profitability” as Father Godfey Nzamaju of the Songhai Foundation, Benin, Africa, says. Fr. Godfrey, our mentor in his world-recognized "Zero Emissions" farming (including the Songhai Center, recognized as a United Nations Center of Excellence), will help our BeyondOrganic™ Bio Dynamic Zero Emissions ("BO-DY-ZE”™) farm and farm school and the Natural Solutions Conservation Corp achieve those three objectives. The final Project is expected to consist of several fincas (farms), totaling between 300 and 500 hectares (up to 1,200 acres). The first of these sites is a small coffee finca a few kilometers from Volcan that is producing All Natural Coffee for the Valley of the Moon™ Brand (the Foundation is exclusively licensed to use the Brand name). Further farm land is expected to be transferred to the Foundation Land Trust within 90 to 120 days. The fully sustainable Project will integrate high yield agriculture with off-the-grid, BeyondOrganic™ BioDynamic Zero Emissions™ (BO-DY ZE™) integrated zero emissions, pollution-free farming and a farmers' training program ("Farm School"), leading-edge natural health care and a variety of Eco-village community functions, services and businesses.

The Valley of the Moon™ Concept

The Valley of the Moon™, Chiriquí, Panama, will lie in prime, temperate, highland coffee-growing territory and Phases 2 and 3 1 are designed to take advantage of that location. Panama is below the Caribbean Hurricane Belt and is politically stable, with its independence protected by the existence of the Canal, whose operation and neutrality are necessary for all nations in the area. The ideal initial coffee finca would be located in the Volcan area and will be managed by the Hartmann Family on a day-to-day basis, not by the Valley of the Moon™ participants. Management by Hartmann would also apply to the coffee producing section of the VOTM site.

The project will offer a number of outstanding ecological, educational and organizational benefits (note: the Foundation has previously seriously considered an approximately 660 hectare parcle near the entrance to Volcan, a 300 hectare piece near the Costa Rica border and both a 93 and 505 hectare valley closer to Volcan); we have now concluded it may be most practical to start with a smaller piece of land for the community's houses, medical/wellness center, hotel facilities, intensive farming, seminar and educational center with the BeyondOrganic, BioDynamic, Zero Emissions™ (BODY-ZE™) farm school located on another piece of land nearby:

Housing areas: a small parcel of easy-to-build land, rich in breathtaking views and providing build-able lots for astute Americans and Europeans who are looking to move to Panama in the context of an intentional community. Energy will be provided by advanced alternatives to fossil fuel. This area will contain our Natural Medical and Wellness Facility, Community Arts and Education Center, Staff Housing, Reception and Administration facilities as well as hotel facilities for guests coming for seminar and treatment options. Food will be provided by our BeyondOrganic, BioDynamic, Zero Emissions™ (BODY-ZE™) farm and gardens. All aspects of the community will be designed to serve as demonstrations of sustainable, reproducible and transmissible solutions to the problems facing communities all over the world.

Farming areas: a large parcel of virgin, fertile land, never treated with chemicals where the BeyondOrganic, BioDynamic, Zero Emissions™ (BO-DY-ZE™) farm, farm school, biogas production center, and related functions., will be located placed on land which is paramagnetic, virgin, never treated with chemicals and never demineralized with strong aquifers and water sources. Another important consideration for the location of the farm and farm school, of course, is ecological segregation from possible contamination by pollen drift (to prevent genetically modified pollen from reaching our plantings), pesticide wind drift or chemical contamination of the water supply. Our Natural Solutions Conservation Corp internship program would support both the farming activities and the students learning at the farm school.

Coffee production areas: 10 prime hectares of land planted with prized specialty coffees grown over 1200 m (approximately 4000 ft) will produce 9 containers of roast coffee produced under the Valley of the Moon™ label by the renowned Hartmann family. Additional coffee areas will be planted as terrain and conditions allow.

Undeveloped, protected forest: the Volcan area is rich in forested areas which we will protect within the context of our land use. We will also plant new forestation areas to enhance the biological health and diversity of any land we are involved with. Our Water: whether on the housing property or the farming one, water must be abundant and unpolluted. Deep wells and on site water processing capacity will be necessary for the housing area while land with an abundant aquifer, preferably rising on the land itself so water concession rights can be secured, is a major consideration in selecting the farming areas.

A land trust model is anticipated for the Project so that individual lots will not be sold, but leased with a perpetually renewable lease, assignable to heirs and others, and saleable with right of first refusal going to the community.

It is important to note that the Project is much more than a potentially profitable land development opportunity storing real value during uncertain times. It can be a financially sound, profitable and sustainable group of integrated green communities, schools, wellness and environmental programs all focused on the Songhai Principles identified by Father Godfrey Nzamaju: "Do what you do with passion, do it perfectly and do it profitably!" In keeping with these considerations, we believe that ownership by the Foundation has both psychological and practical advantages for the interns, investors, guests, homesteaders and other participants.

The Foundation notes that -

Our ideas and mission are highly appealing to idealistic people to whom eco-sustainability and clean food are essential; who are ready to be either full or part time Ex-Pats. It is comparatively inexpensive to live in Panama.

- The opportunity to participate in a sustainable community with sustainable BeyondOrganic, BioDynamic, Zero Emissions™ (BO-DY-ZE)™ food (and coffee!), cultural, social and advanced health care options is also highly appealing to our potential target markets.

-Tax advantages derived from the project being carried out by our Panamanian Foundation are significant and those benefits can be extended to Limited Partners. Please seek appropriate legal advice for all such matters.

- As a Foundation Project we will be eligible for significant grant support and partnering with other Not for Profit Foundations for every aspect of the Project which would not be available to conventional development corporations.

-The opportunity to demonstrate and disseminate best practices and true sustainability for various living situations applicable to various conditions and economic levels is highly significant for the development of global sustainability, especially in the face of financial chaos, declining oil stocks, increasing food and oil prices.

- People living, working and visiting the Valley of the Moon™ Eco Demonstration Community and Projects will form a natural client base for our infrastructure company, restaurants, spa, health center, arts center, seminar facility, farm, “Valley of the Moon™” branded products, etc., allowing us to enjoy a near-captive base clientele from which to expand as our products and services become known beyond our home area. Similarly, the 185,000+ members of the Foundation web site have already proven their willingness to donate to the Foundation and purchase through our shopping cart sites, www.Organics4U.org and www.NaturalSolutionsMarketplace.org (note: funds from these sites are dedicated to the activities of the US Foundation).

Not long from now, we will all be able to marvel together, because of our careful preservationist and sustainability focus and say, "How Green IS My Valley of the Moon™!"

The Foundation Therefore Seeks -

For this reason, the Foundation is now seeking strategic alliances, grants, Angel Loan "friendly financing” and donations in the United States and elsewhere to support its demonstration projects and the internship program discussed herein.

Funds, whether recurring grants, bequests or other donations, may be earmarked to support the Natural Solutions Conservation Corp internship program. Currently we plan to provide space for a dozen interns, with the capacity to double and redouble that number over a couple years. Parents who would like their minor or adult children to experience some time at the Valley of the Moon community may inquire as to particulars. We would be happy to accept endowments to guarantee a continuing program.

NSCC Costs Projections

We estimate the average ongoing cost per intern per month to be from $400 to $600 (for the program to be viable, we will need one year’s funding for 12 = $72,000 to $108,000 per year. Our start-up costs for the initial dozen interns includes the costs to upgrade the Farm School Building on the Greenhouse Finca that the Foundation has contracted to include a dormitory, bathroom, kitchen and sitting room facilities. These costs are estimated at $100,000. Combining these amounts, adding in a reasonable contingency fund, we therefore seeking grants and support in the amount of $200,000 to $250,000 for the first year.

NSCC Participation

Participation is open to all individuals without regard to ethnicity, nationality, race, religion or life preferences. The Foundation invites inquiries regarding the Conservation Internship program. Parents wishing to earmark donations to support a child's participation should contact Foundation Trustee Ralph Fucetola JD, ralph.fucetola@usa.net (Subject: Internship). Initially the internship program will be conducted from the Farm School Building which will include a dormitory and facilities as detailed above. Seasonal and annual internships will be considered.

Because we enjoy the status of a publicly supported tax exempt organization in the US, all grants and donations in support of the project are expected to be tax deductible in the US. Supporters in the United States who wish to enable this project through either donations or grants may become both a donor to the Natural Solutions Foundation in the United States and a Contributing Participant in the Panamanian Project with the full value of the donation expected to be tax deductible in the US. Supporters making friendly loans will receive interest at an agreed-upon rate plus a return of their principle. Their participation will therefore not confer tax deductible status to their loan. International supporters receive the same benefits minus the tax donation unless their nation offers reciprocity for donations to tax deductible Foundations in the US.

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Location

"Cherique" (the original spelling of today's Panamanian province of Chiriquí) means "Valley of the Moon". The name conjures up mystery, magic and beauty. The location to be chosen by the Trustees of the Natural Solutions Foundation for its Project will be worthy of that image since it will be located in the magnificent, fertile and sheltered areas of the Chiriquí Highlands Volcan region, providing intimacy and grandeur at the same time, depending on which way you look! Valley of the Moon™ will be sited in sheltered, self-contained, ecologically integrated areas of extraordinary beauty and fertility in a temperate climate blessed with abundant rich virgin soil, water, and, since it is located in Panama, strong public infrastructure and high social stability.

The Project will be an off-the-grid, BeyondOrganic™, BioDynamic, Zero Emission™ farm and farming school and internships, educational, arts, wellness, health and rejuvenation community project nestled in the beautiful, fertile and temperate Highlands of Chiriquí Province, Panama. The sites to be identified and selected by the Trustees after an extensive search over many months are located in and near the town of Volcan and the magnificent Volcan Baru. Sites under consideration are not far from the Amistad International Friendship Park and the Costa Rican border.
Volcan Baru, inactive since the 1400s (previous to that, the last activity was about 500 BC), is the highest point in Central America and is a visually stunning geologic feature which defines the entire region. The surrounding Chiriquí Highlands offer a region of fertile soil which has striking and desirable attributes: virgin volcanic, paramagnetic, richly mineralized soil and a year-round mild and beautiful climate with abundant water and strong aquifers. More details, photos and additional information can be found at www.NaturalSolutionsFoundation.org .

Please visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Natural-Solutions-Panama-Pictures/  to see photographs of land that we have studied and which show examples of what we can expect on the land where the Project will be located. [This forum is non-monitored, pictures-only]

Clean air, clean water, magnificent vistas, fertile soil and outstanding road access combine to make this land an exceptional value. A new road is being completed from the affluent Ex-Pat town of Boquete (20% foreign population), which, upon completion of the road, will be about 30-35 minutes away from Volcan. There is currently no fully functional integrative medical care available in the region. Eminent American Natural and Environmental Physicians, Chiropractors, Naturopaths and other health specialists of renown have expressed strong interest in this project because of Dr. Laibow's reputation and the location of the Valley of the Moon™ components and characteristics.

The Foundation has formed an alliance with the Hartmann Family – http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/hartmann/index.html  -esteemed world famous coffee plantation managers and growers who have been farming the coffee in this area over four generations creating an important collaboration. The Hartmann's large coffee farming family farms organic coffee and has done so for 65 years. They are eager to work with the Foundation in the development of additional organic techniques to allow the conversion of the coffee growing in this area to chemical-free production and to manage/farm our entire coffee operation. It is the intention of the Foundation to commercialize this revolutionary technique in concert with the Hartmanns. Our liaison with these experienced and respected coffee growers is a major asset in our outreach and community relations in this area. The Hartmann Family is the best known coffee family in the region. The coffee this well respected coffee growing family raises has consistently won national and international prizes for both quality and taste.

The land itself is both beautiful and pristine. We consider only land which has been machete cleared (not chemically treated) for cattle grazing, housing or farming where it is not forested. It is difficult to overstate the majesty and beauty of these hillsides and summits and their magnificent views.

The climate is temperate year round, between 65 and 85 Degrees F with little daily variation except during the rainy season when the upper temperature limits are 70-75 degrees. Nights are cool. Humidity is low and the land is situated at the ideal elevation for both comfortable living and abundant agriculture. Rainfall is abundant (up to 130” annually).

The Valley of the Moon™ and Future of Farming™ projects will offer an opportunity for the Foundation to demonstrate the transition from ordinary Coffee, cattle and crop production to higher value Natural Coffee or crops and eventually to Organic status while creating a multi-function Seed Community and disseminating information that can help to feed and reclaim the food production of the world, all with the help of participants such as the Natural Solutions Conservation Corp interns.

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Trustees and Advisers

The Panamanian and US Natural Solutions Foundation Trustees and Advisers are:
Maj. Gen. Albert N Stubblebine III (US Army, Ret.) – Trustee and President
Rima E Laibow, MD – Trustee and Medical Director
Ralph Fucetola JD - Trustee and Counsel
Larry Deckerhoff, MIM - Chief Financial Adviser
Father Godfey Nzamaju of the Songhai Foundation – BO-DY-ZE Adviser

Community Governance

The Charter (bylaws, articles of association) of the community establishes -

1. A series of Community Councils which will govern the Community using a consensus model whenever applicable and
2. The committee structure or consultant input which will guide to Community or make choices which do not require full Community consensus procedures.

Each participant is empowered to participate in community governance through this highly participatory system. The commercial enterprises will be operated separately from the community structure through their managers to maximize profitability within the limits of an Eco Valley concept. All of these functions are responsive and responsible to the Trustees of the Foundation.

The draft Charter and the underlying Escritura that established the Panama Foundation are available on the Forum which may be joined on request from: ralph.fucetola@usa.net (subject: NSF-Panama Forum).

Conclusion

Among the benefits that arise from the Valley of the Moon Natural Solutions demonstration project is the potential for the provision of Natural Solution Conservation Corps internships. We invite inquiries regarding this program and actively seek funding to make it possible for interns to learn by doing at the Valley of the Moon.

Contact:
Ralph Fucetola JD, Trustee
ralph.fucetola@usa.net - 973-300-4594
Skype handle: vitaminlawyer

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Valley of the Moon Demonstration Project
 “Bullet Points”
Natural Solutions Foundation
www.naturalsolutionsfoundation.org

1. NSF is a nongovernmental nonprofit recognized in the USA and Panama.

2. NSF proposes to develop and operate a BeyondOrganic BioDynamic Zero Emissions (BO-DY-ZE) ™ demonstration project including a farm and farm school and the Natural Solutions Conservation internships as part of its International Decade of Nutrition.

3. The project will demonstrate that modern chemical-free farming techniques can reduce the use of petroleum based fuels, pesticides and other materials leading to clean food at increased profit to farmers and allowing a sustainable eco community to develop around that project including natural medicine, homes, schools and commercial activities in keeping with the sustainable nature of the Eco Community and farm.

4. The project has adopted the Songhai Principals of Passion, Perfection and Profitability. See the Songhai Video at http://YouTube.com/NaturalSolutions

5. Transitioning from chemical farming to BeyondOrganic, BioDynamic, Zero Emissions farming will reduce costs, diminish impact on the environment and increase per unit value for the farmer while providing local and distant consumers with access to that food.

6. The ideal Property for the project, tentatively called "Finca de la Luna" (Valley of the Moon). It would consist of about 100 hectare, including specialty coffee land and a 200 to 300 hectare site for the farm and community: 100 hectares (244 acres) of open meadow land on several levels (never treated with pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals) with an additional 25 Hectares of forest land protecting the watershed. “Finca de la Luna” should have separate year-round water sources arising from the mountains on the spectacular land. The virgin soil will be rich and well suited to agriculture and community structures. Vistas will be extraordinary.

7. Good farming land and should is generally available for $1.5/m2 or $15,000 per hectare.

8. Some of the land which has been by us includes a piece of land in the town of Volcan (approximately 5 hectares) with finished structures on it. We have also been directed to a 93 hectare (230 acre) agricultural parcel, including outstanding farming land, land suitable for premium, high altitude coffee, an integrated sustainable farm, educational center, natural medical and wellness center and home sites. Other land includes smaller coffee fincas that are within the current financial capacity of the Foundation to buy without mortgage (Phase 1).

9. Once title has been transferred to the Foundation, it can obtain a Panamanian Government-sponsored special agricultural land mortgage (2% interest) for up to 80% of the appraised value. This process takes 9 to 12 months. We are therefore seeking an "Angel" or "Bridge" Loan to be repaid in a year. We propose that interest on the loan, at 5% simple, be added to the loan amount for repayment upon refinancing, together with the principle, at the end of that time.

10. Chiriquí Province land values may very well continue to hold steady or only decline somewhat, in a stable constitutional republic.

11. The project is expected to produce losses for several years, but will be entitled to government funded reimbursements equal to at least 80% of fair market value within 9 to 12 months, and is therefore a good candidate for Master Limited Partnership or Angel Bridge Loan financing.

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Site Use Statement

Ralph Fucetola JD, Trustee
ralph.fucetola@usa.net

© 2009 rev 01/31/09