Peace Corps work in Paraguay began in January 1968. The majority of volunteers in Paraguay I worked as agricultural extension agents. It was their job to help local farmers improve the efficiency and output of small, rural farms.
In addition to assisting farmers, PCVs helped to establish and promote the 4-C clubs—an equivalent of 4-H in the US—among Paraguay’s youth.
![Robert Meade, 4-C Grafting Demonstration, 1968-1969](https://blogs.library.american.edu/pcca/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/02/Meade010.jpg)
“P-I PCV Rick Mines with ag. extension agent Ojeda doing grafting demonstration with a 4-C club in Pedro Juan Caballero.”
Peace Corps Volunteer Robert Meade served in multiple locations throughout Paraguay promoting public health and agriculture. According to Meade, PCVs played an instrumental role in encouraging local farmers to plant new crops and experiment with diverse agricultural projects visible in the images below.
![Robert Meade, Paraguayan Farmers, 1968-1969](https://blogs.library.american.edu/pcca/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/02/Meade004.jpg)
“Two Paraguayan farmers (“campesinos”) showing off melons grown in their gardens. PCVs were instrumental in getting farmers to try new crops for the market. Eusebio Ayala.”
![Robert Meade, Raising Tilapia, 1968-1969](https://blogs.library.american.edu/pcca/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2014/02/Meade005.jpg)
“An ag. Extension agent with a local farmer with a tank to grow tilapia, another project started by Peace Corps Paraguay, Eusebio Ayala.”
All image captions above were written by Robert Meade.
These are only a few of the fascinating images documenting the work and experiences of PCVs in Paraguay. To view more images, visit the Archives and Special Collections.