Costa Rica update

I am writing this from Jaco, Costa Rica where I have been at a conference called the Jatropha Harvest Experience. I was invited to present the results of my company's conversion of Jatropha oil into jet fuel. The conference was organized by my good friends at the Costa Rica Seed Company. We had over 50 attendees from 11 countries, coming from as far away as Nigeria, Africa.

As a result of the conference, I have made some adjustments to my plan for growing Jatropha in Burundi, Africa. I have come to the conclusion after meeting with agronomists and growers that we need to start with a small test plantation. To that end, I have developed a test plantation concept that will have roughly 500 jatropha plants. This test plantation will allow us to experiment with different varieties, irrigation, pruning, fertilization, disease, and pest control. What we learn will be directly applicable to the 100 hectare plantation. My hope is that we can begin with the test plantation this August and cultivate it for one year. Following this test, we will refine the concept for the larger plantation.

Thank you for your prayers. I have made significant progress over the last 5 months with respect to defining this plan. I will continue to press forward because it is essential to helping provide jobs in Burundi.

Peace and blessings,
John