Lynden Couple Seeks $25,000 to Build Farm in Benin

LYNDEN, Wash. Debra Kouda and Thomas D’Aquin are raising $25,000 to build a farm on 1.5 acres of land in Glazoué, Benin. The couple, who reside in Lynden, plans to use the funds to clear the land, install water infrastructure, and hire seasonal workers for the first year of operation.

The project, named the Glazoué Friendship Farm, marks the next step for the couple after they purchased the property near their home in West Africa. D’Aquin conceived the idea to utilize the land and provide employment opportunities for unemployed youth in the community. Once crops are sold, a portion of the income and produce will be donated to a local Catholic school.

Kouda, a native of Fairbanks, Alaska, met D’Aquin in 2007 while serving in the Peace Corps. They connected at an event hosted by a tourism nonprofit focused on environmental education. Kouda recalled wearing new Beninese clothing for the function when she heard a whistle. She turned to see D’Aquin, marking the start of their relationship. They now have three sons and split their time between Lynden and Glazoué.

D’Aquin grew up farming in Benin, a practice he described as universal among families there. He noted that even those with other jobs prioritize farming as a primary source of food and income. Kouda, who grew up hearing stories about farming, sees the project as a way to connect their life in Lynden with their roots in Benin. She stated that Lynden’s status as a farming community reminds them constantly of where food comes from and the need to care for the earth.

The farm design includes 10 equally sized plots dedicated to both quick-turnover and long-term crops. Short-term market produce will consist of tomatoes, peppers, black-eyed peas, corn, soybeans, and peanuts. Long-term plantings will include bananas and coconuts, which are scarce in the region. The site will also feature beehives for honey production and pollination. Future plans include adding goats, chickens, and a fish pond to create a cycle where manure and pond water feed the crops.

Kouda described the initiative as a pilot project to test methods, create jobs, and expand from there. The couple has already invested their own money to purchase the land. The $25,000 goal covers land clearing, preparation, a well, pump, water storage, seedlings, tools, beehives, a farm manager, seasonal workers, transport, and market storage. D’Aquin emphasized that they intend to start small rather than hiring a large workforce immediately.

Alexandre Doukan, the communal councilor of Glazoué and chair of the Commission on Cooperation and Relations with Institutions, supports the vision. Through his public role, Doukan focuses on local development, job creation, and economic initiatives. He stated that agriculture should evolve beyond subsistence farming into an organized business that creates wealth, employs young people, and guarantees income for farmers. He believes the project will make a lasting contribution to food security in the community.

The couple estimates that while $25,000 may not cover a large-scale operation in the United States, it is sufficient for the first year’s costs in Benin. D’Aquin said the funds will help get essential infrastructure in place and ensure workers are paid. The project allows them to leverage their access to farming in both locations to address needs in Benin.