Training Local Farmers and Growing Healthy Food in Kenya's Rift Valley

Kenyan farmers plant and tend compost in community classes

We are determined to reach many people by teaching sustainable farming even though our community is going through hard times. Recently I read a book about the shakers that really encouraged me:

"The shakers were practical idealists. They did not dream vaguely of the conditions they would like to see realized. They went to work to make these conditions an actuality. They wasted no time on raging against competitive society or in complaining bitterly that they had no power to change it. Instead they build a domain of their own, where they could arrange their lives to their liking.”

Over time and with continued effort, I know we will succeed. Thank you very much for being with us during this difficult time. Attached are pictures of another farmers training that we did.
In solidarity, in friendship, in hope for a better tomorrow . . ..Philip

OTEPIC guides Kenyan community in growing its gardens organically and using compost instead of synthetic fertilizer

OTEPIC and community members applied compost to the garden beds. Because our rain patterns are so unpredictable, we are waiting for rain before we put seed in the ground.
Our nursery seedlings are doing very well, and so far we have used only botanical extracts to control pests and diseases. Most of our local farmers want to know about varieties of good, "short season" seeds because we have food shortages in our country, Kenya.
Many local farmers are eager to learn how to make compost because they don’t want to depend again on synthetic fertilizer, which is expensive and harmful to our environment.

Guest posting by Eric Ambani, OTEPIC Chairman

Rift Valley community commits to sustainable farming

Kenyan villagers smile because we have bought land to create organic demonstration gardens. We are excited about the future working with nature to enrich the land and the community.

Our village elders, including our chief, witness the purchase of our land where we will establish our community demonstration gardens.

We count the money and sign the papers.

Here the surveyors measure the land where we will work to transform it into lush organic gardens.

Already, we we are fencing the land, setting up the beds and starting to make beautiful compost!