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Agroecology in Senegal: Lessons from Mohammed’s Innovative Model Farm
Thiès is the third largest city in Senegal. It resembles a mini-Dakar: narrow streets of cement and unfinished buildings buzz with street vendors, unlicensed motorcycles, and corner cafés selling mostly Western food. While Dakar’s coastline enjoys a fresh sea breeze in April, Thiès is engulfed in crushing heat that tastes like sand and smells like gasoline. But weather aside, the city is a marketplace of innovation and ideas, and a testing ground for innovative and sustainable farming methods like agroecology, the region being one of the country’s top producers of groundnuts. So, the Groundswe …
Meet Galy, a Farmer Spreading Hope in Guatemala’s Dry Corridor
Galy lives in the arid mountain community of Suquinay, El Divisadero. For years, the region has been grappling with intense heat and prolonged dry spells, plunging millions into harsh life conditions. The situation has been worsening yearly, with Guatemala being among the top 10 countries most at risk from the effects of climate change. But there’s hope. Galy, a woman farmer collaborating with our local partner, Asociación de Agricultores las Ilusiones el Divisadero (AGRIDIVI), is teaching her community to safeguard water, regenerate the land, and produce nutritious food, helping improve the w …
Agroecology as a Path to Sustainable Growth in India and Nepal
Eastern Nepal and Bihar, India: two regions facing similar challenges Eastern Nepal and the state of Bihar, India face a fair share of challenges. Both countries are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and experience increasingly unpredictable weather. Irregular rainfall, prolonged droughts and floods disrupt planting and harvesting cycles, reducing crop yields and threatening food security. Intensive farming practices and over-reliance on chemical fertilizers have also degraded the soil, impacting agricultural productivity and making it harder for farmers to sustain the …
Celebrating 15 Years of Impact: A Letter From Steve Brescia, Executive Director
Dear Friends, Groundswell will celebrate 15 years in 2024. We feel both humbled and proud as we reflect on what we have been able to accomplish together so far, and are determined to have an even greater impact in the future. Since our founding, we have learned a lot about how to coordinate an effective international network for collective impact, one that reflects our shared values and centers the agency of smallholder and indigenous farming communities. We are pleased to share some 2023 highlights in our latest Annual Report. Together as a network we have generated: Impact: Strengthened the …
Empowering Women in Agriculture: The Transformative Impact of Agroecology and Community-Led Initiatives
Women are essential to furthering the agroecological movement and improving the well-being of their communities and families. However, in many countries worldwide, women are more likely to be denied access to resources needed to be successful in agriculture (land, animals, access to money credit). Agroecology, “the holistic and integrated approach that simultaneously applies ecological and social concepts and principles to the design and management of sustainable agriculture and food systems” (FAO) seeks to not only transform soil and environments but to heal our broken food system, ther …
Scaling Agroecology for a Resilient Future in Haiti & Ecuador
Agroecology offers a path for the positive transformation of our flawed farming and food systems, which significantly contribute to climate change, obesity, and global hunger. As interest in scaling agroecology grows, it’s crucial to evaluate its potential to merge science, practice, and social movements to build sustainable food systems. By offering practical and scalable solutions, agroecology promotes nutritious diets, soil regeneration, and climate resilience among farmers and pastoralists worldwide. But how do these benefits translate into tangible improvements for communities? Let’s expl …