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
Farmer Stories
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
Empowering Women in the Field: Radha’s Story
by Jacob Brescia-Weiler On a hot morning in early June, seated in front of her home surrounded by family and neighbors, Radha Purkoti of Ratmata, Mandan Deupur Municipality, Kavre, shared with me her progress in improving her and her family’s lives. Radha is a livestock and vegetable farmer in the Kavrepalanchok District of Nepal. She has been a member of the Jaruwa Sustainable Farming Group since its founding in 2016. Comprised of 28 members, the group is one of 27 women’s savings and … [Read more...] about Empowering Women in the Field: Radha’s Story
Empowering Women in the Field: Binda’s Story
by Jacob Brescia-Weiler Binda Ayu is a tomato farmer in the Sindhuli district of Nepal. As a member of the Creative Women’s Group, the first savings and credit cooperative of its kind in the area, she is supported by Groundswell International and its local partner organization, Sindhuli Integrated Development Services (SIDS/Nepal). Groundswell Programs Empower Women Binda joined the savings and credit group 18 months ago, motivated to access high-yielding variety seeds and support … [Read more...] about Empowering Women in the Field: Binda’s Story