These are pictures of some of the chocolate processing machines made in the DR.
Elizabeth Burgos – Lab Manager – Conacado SFM
Elizabeth has been very helpful in tasting licor and always has a wonderful smile on her face.
Courtney’s House – Before and After
La Chorena Chocolate donated the materials and organized the labor to paint the house of a Peace Corps volunteer, Courtney; who is working with a women association who make chocolate and related products. This is the same community I was sent to 26 years ago where I ended up developing a solar energy business.
World Cocoa Foundation Meeting – Santo Domingo Oct. 2013
Santo Domingo and San Francisco de Macoris
October 15-17, 2013
Cacao Pods in New Jersey
Orlando Rodriguez and Tom Forbes, Mata Larga
Vincentillo, Hato Mayor – Asociacion de Mujers Esperanza Unida
Walking around Los Naranjos
I took a few pictures of people, homes and other things around Los Naranjos de Castillo. This is the community I was sent to as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1987. The second volunteer sent this community named Charlotte, married Jaime Gomez who is a mentor of mine in understanding the genetics of cacao and farm management. There is currently a volunteer named Courtney who is assigned to work with the women’s cooperative to develop and expand their business.
Loma de Jaya, Weekly Meetings
These are the women of Loma de Jaya who make chocolate. They meet each Monday at 4 pm sharp. The take minutes and attendance. Each pays RD$10 each week and there is an open environment for all to speak. Miguel Hernandez attended the July 29th meeting. He makes the chocolate processing machines and will assist the group to access government financing and install the machinery. He has already outfitted two other groups in the country and has long worked with these groups on small machines.
Chocolate using Cacao Blanco
This is 100% chocolate using white beans from the Dominican Republic. Tasted at CONACADO.
La Chorena - Chocolate Quisqueyano 
