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
Agroecology
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 soil … [Read more...] about How Agroecological Farming Transformed Emmanuel’s Field in Burkina Faso
Transforming Food Systems From the Ground Up: Our Theory of Change
For over 13,000 years, farming has been about people constantly innovating and working with nature to create reliable ways to grow food and enhance well-being. But the past 200 years have seen a dramatic shift towards industrial agriculture. Heavy reliance on fossil fuels and mechanization became the norm, prioritizing quick growth over protecting natural resources. Today, a few large corporations dominate the supply of farming inputs such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides and … [Read more...] about Transforming Food Systems From the Ground Up: Our Theory of Change
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 … [Read more...] about Agroecology in Senegal: Lessons from Mohammed’s Innovative Model Farm
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 … [Read more...] about Meet Galy, a Farmer Spreading Hope in Guatemala’s Dry Corridor
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 … [Read more...] about Agroecology as a Path to Sustainable Growth in India and Nepal