Samjhana lives in Mandandeupur, a rugged region in central Nepal near the Tibetan border. Life here is shaped by the land: steep slopes, seasonal monsoons, and weather patterns that have become increasingly unpredictable due to climate change. Deadly floods and landslides often devastate farms and communities, making every growing season a gamble for survival.Most families rely on small-scale farming to maintain their livelihoods. For women like Samjhana, the stakes are even higher. Many juggle … [Read more...] about How One Woman Farmer from Nepal Turned a Small Loan into a Lifeline
Ecuadorian Youth Draw a Future Free of Chemicals and Rooted in Nature
Across the globe in December, we honor International Mountain Day (December 11), International No Pesticide Use Day (December 3), and World Soil Day (December 5). These days bring awareness to the critical role of soil, mountains, and regenerative agriculture in sustaining life. This year, youth storytellers from our local partner EkoRural in Ecuador stepped forward with thoughtful drawings that inspire us to reconnect with the earth. Their art calls out harmful agricultural practices, … [Read more...] about Ecuadorian Youth Draw a Future Free of Chemicals and Rooted in Nature
Young Leaders Shaping the Future of Food Systems Through Film: Looking Back on the 2024 Field to Film Festival
Each year, the Field to Film Festival marks a milestone for our Youth Storyteller Program, a unique initiative where young leaders learn to capture and share the stories of their families and the agroecological solutions transforming their communities. This year, through bold and creative storytelling, they ignited movements of hope and change across diverse corners of the globe. Stories that resonate across borders In 2024, over 50 young storytellers brought their communities' stories … [Read more...] about Young Leaders Shaping the Future of Food Systems Through Film: Looking Back on the 2024 Field to Film Festival
Indigenous Farming Systems in Ecuador: Lessons for Adapting to Climate Change
In this blog post: "In each household in our community, we have the native seeds that we have saved from our ancestors," says Elena Tenelema as she walks across her farm. "Caring for our Pachamama (Mother Earth) is the most important thing. If we contaminate it with chemicals, it will be the end of our land, and we won't have it in the future." Elena is from the Quechua community of Tzimbuto, in the Central Andean highlands of Ecuador. A leader in managing community seed banks and … [Read more...] about Indigenous Farming Systems in Ecuador: Lessons for Adapting to Climate Change
How Agroecological Farming Transformed Emmanuel’s Field in Burkina Faso
We recently met one exceptional farmer whose story speaks to the heart of our work: Wango Emmanuel, from Bonessin, Burkina Faso. After spending several years living and working in Côte d'Ivoire, Emmanuel returned to his native village amid a grave political crisis. His only means of feeding his family was a small plot of land he inherited from his father. But the soil had hardened like cement, rendered unproductive by decades of extractive farming practices common in the area. As … [Read more...] about How Agroecological Farming Transformed Emmanuel’s Field in Burkina Faso
Four Smallholder Women Farmers at the Forefront of Agroecological Farming
Almost half of the world’s agricultural workers are women. In the Global South, women produce 60 to 80% of the food that sustains their communities—yet they own less than 20% of the land. Despite having limited access to resources and shouldering significant family responsibilities, these women continue to feed the world. They play a crucial role in restoring ecosystems, addressing climate change, and building food security from the ground up. As they nurture land and life, there is much we can … [Read more...] about Four Smallholder Women Farmers at the Forefront of Agroecological Farming