Meet #TeamGROW. This October, 12 intrepid women from the food and farming sector will be travelling to Farm Africa’s Regenerative Agriculture Project in Kenya to take part in the GROW for Good Challenge.

GROW stands for Growing Resilience and Opportunities for Women. Women are the backbone of Africa's farming workforce, yet life for rural women isn't easy. In sub-Saharan Africa, 80% of agricultural production is by smallholder farmers. And the female share of the agricultural labour force is the highest in the world. Farm Africa works to understand the challenges that women face in their local contexts and open up new opportunities across eastern Africa. We help them to develop new streams of income and work their way out of poverty.

And when women have more economic empowerment and more opportunities, it helps the whole community to grow and prosper.

What's GROW for Good challenge?

• Cycle 75km across Embu County.

• Camp at three female-run farms in three days.

• Assist with regenerative agriculture farming: composting, mulching and more.

• Learn about the lives and challenges of resilient women in different communities.

• Discover Farm Africa’s support for Village-Based Advisors (VBAs).

• Collaborate with female industry leaders in Nairobi to drive positive change for women.

What are Village Based Advisors (VBAs)?

In Kenya, the number of agricultural experts is insufficient, with one expert for every 200 farmers. To address this, Farm Africa is training over 4,000 VBA’s, with a focus on women and young people, who are local community members trained to provide farming support to other farmers. VBA’s help farmers enhance their productivity, access markets, manage climate challenges, as well as improve food security and incomes. This model ensures farmers receive essential support more effectively, while creating jobs and empowering women.

A donation to the GROW for Good Challenge can help Farm Africa expand this vital network of community champions and increase its impact across eastern Africa!

Every Donation Counts!

The costs of this challenge are fully funded, which means that 100% of your donation will go directly towards supporting Farm Africa's impactful initiatives.

What your donations can achieve together:

- £130 could be invested in training more Village Based Advisors, who will mentor other farmers and ensure that knowledge is passed on throughout the community.

- £10,000 could provide a training centre to train 300 female farmers on climate-smart agriculture skills to build resilient and sustainable livelihoods.

- £20,000 could provide starter packs for 166 Village Based Advisors to establish demonstration plots to exhibit regenerative agricultural technologies to other farmers in their region.

- £45,000 could construct a solar-powered vegetable packhouse, helping farmers grade, sort and store their produce to preserve quality, reduce wastage and get better prices, increasing incomes and employment opportunities.

Please help Farm Africa pedal towards progress, sow seeds of empowerment and cultivate lasting change by supporting GROW for Good Challenge. Donate today!

[Participants are: Judith Batchelar OBE, Jane Lockwood, Caroline Mason, Mia Hartwell, Minette Batters, Helen Newbrook, Frances Bryan, Marnie Millard OBE, Michelle Morris, Katie Major, Kate Taylor, Anne-Marie Cannon]