Stories From The Field: Kenya
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DIG Recognized for Inclusivity at the Indigenous Seeds Culture and Food Harvest Fair in Kenya

November 21, 2024

DIG was recently honored for our commitment to inclusivity at the 3rd Indigenous Seeds Culture and Food Harvest Fair, held at the Nyando Community Seed Bank in Kisumu. This annual event brought together organizations focused on indigenous seeds, food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture. Among the key participants were Seed Savers Network Kenya, BIBA Kenya, PELUM Kenya, and various community seed banks—all united in their mission to strengthen local food systems. Olivia Nyaidho, our Director of Global Mission and Executive Director

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Kenya

The Power of Growth and Graduations

August 26, 2024

From Isolation to Community We believe social cohesion is more than just an abstract concept—it’s the foundation of our work and one of our most powerful Pillars of Impact. It’s what transforms isolated individuals into confident, connected community members. This transformation was on full display during the recent farmer graduations in Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda, where we had the honor of celebrating the incredible achievements of our farmers. These ceremonies were more than just a milestone; they marked the journey of

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Field Trips

Witnessing Hope in Action: A Field Trip to Kenya

August 26, 2024

“Seeing food insecurity solved one person at a time and witnessing how those efforts multiply is truly hope becoming reality.” Tom McGuire DIG’s Board Chair, Tom McGuire, recently traveled to Kenya with eight other participants to observe DIG’s transformative work up close. In his refections, he highlights the profound impact DIG’s Core Programs are having on participants. What stood out most to him was DIG’s ability to move the mark around social cohesion. Fostering strong, interconnected communities is foundational to

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Climate Resilience

Soil Health

July 10, 2024

From Perception to Precision: How Farmer’s Insights and Soil Science Can Shape the Future of Regenerative Agriculture.  How do farmers’ perceptions of the health of their soil compare to laboratory results? How can comparing perceptions and laboratory tests influence the use of regenerative agriculture practices by smallholder farmers? These are some of the questions Postdoctoral Associate Jordan Blekking from the Department of Global Development at Cornell University, and, a recent recipient of a Polson Institute for Global Development grant, wanted

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Field Trips

A Reflection on DIG’s 2023 Kenya Field Trip

June 27, 2023

This May, DIG welcomed 10 guests to Kenya for our first Field Trip since 2019. DIG's Kenya team embraced us with open arms and took time to teach us some of what they do. Read about the experience from one of our trip participants, Dana Clarkson.

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Food Security

DIG’s Farmer Field School

October 26, 2022

DIG's foundational program prioritizes uniquely marginalized people. They learn to grow nutrient-rich gardens using regenerative agriculture as a way of improving theirs and their family's nutrition, food security, and income.

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Climate Resilience

The Seed Savers of Kenya

November 1, 2021

The work of local seed savers is critical not only for their own household benefit but also for the benefit of their broader communities and the long-term survival of their local plants. These women, all DIG graduates, have become known as expert seed-savers are are a critical link in ensuring their food systems remain resilient and biodiverse.

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Financial Resilience

Eunice Anyango Otieno

May 5, 2021

Eunice Anyango is a 37 year old mother of six. She credits her success to the knowledge she received from DIG. Her garden income has enabled Eunice to better feed her family and invest in poles and iron sheets to improve her house.

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‘I am so grateful I got to participate in the DIG project, it started me off! I never knew I would make so much from my garden. I have a borehole (well) in my compound that serves me and my neighbours very well. I hope to save money from my vegetables and install a solar water pump to make my work easier. Together with my husband I hope to build a new family house, I have already bought poles, and iron sheets from the sale of my vegetables.’ ~ Eunice Anyango Otieno

Eunice Anyango is a 37 year old mother of six. She, and the other members of the Happy Market Group in Ndhiwa Sub-County, received DIG’s KCDMS FFS training in 2020. After graduating, Eunice developed a home garden where she trained her family in what she learned from DIG. Their garden flourished and became a main source of food and income for her family.

Eunice grows a variety of local and indigenous vegetables including kales, spinach, black nightshade, spider plant, and cow peas. Intentionally staggering her harvest, Eunice carries her produce to Ndhiwa market on Thursdays to sell.

Before DIG, Eunice never made an income from her garden but that has changed. For example, in July, Eunice made sales worth Ksh. 7800 ($78) and Ksh. 8000 ($80) in August alone.

She credits her success to the knowledge she received from DIG. Her garden income has enabled Eunice to better feed her family and invest in poles and iron sheets to improve her house. Eunice has plans to expand her garden and install a solar irrigation pump to make her work easier.

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