Permaculture & Agroforestry Training Program to Strengthen the Community
After months of planning and waiting, we’ve finally received the funding approval from the Schmitz Foundation. For our new training program in Kenya, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is providing up to €9,860. And this is a major step for our work in the region: With this new project, we specifically aim to strengthen knowledge about regenerative agriculture while actively involving local farmers.
Why This Project Is So Important
Our region in the eastern highlands of Kenya is classified as one of the so-called ASAL areas (arid and semi-arid lands). Rainfall is irregular, groundwater levels are dropping, and drought periods are increasing. Many families here depend on agriculture, but erosion, nutrient-poor soils, unpredictable harvests, and a lack of expertise and training make daily life difficult. At the same time, deforestation, sand mining, and charcoal production are causing a rapid loss of natural resources.
Women, children, and adolescents are particularly affected—often sacrificing education and health—as they must travel long distances for water and firewood. The Maua Villa children’s home also feels the direct impact of the climate crisis, as our farm faces the same agricultural challenges as the surrounding farmers.
What We Do – And How
Our goal is to share knowledge that not only helps today but has long-term impact. Together with local trainers and an international agroforestry expert, we’re organizing a 14-week training program from August to November 2025, featuring weekly four-hour workshops. Participants include small-scale farmers from the surrounding area, many of whom are group leaders or other multipliers.
The training provides theoretical knowledge combined with practical sessions on-site at our new community center. There, we have ample space to learn and exchange ideas together before heading out to the farms for hands-on practice.
Overview of Topics
Each week focuses on a different theme: from the basics of permaculture to complex agroforestry systems:
- Introduction & Needs Assessment: What do participants really need? Where are they currently at?
- Permaculture & Social Permaculture: How can regenerative agriculture strengthen communities?
- Water and Soil: From swales to compost and mulching — this gets really hands-on.
- Seeds, Planting Techniques & Pest Management: How do we create diversity without chemicals?
- Agroforestry: How do we develop multi-layered systems that are not only productive but also climate-resilient?
A highlight: In week 13, agroforestry expert Jens Hauck from the Food Forest Network will be connected to provide concrete insights into his work in Senegal.
Why We Focus on Multipliers
We know from experience: When role models learn and try out new methods, it impacts their entire surroundings. That’s why we specifically invite opinion leaders and group facilitators who can then pass on the newly acquired knowledge.
Those who attend all 14 sessions will also receive a small starter kit with native seeds, organic fertilizer, and compost worms. This allows the learned techniques to be directly implemented on their own farms.
What We Hope For. What We Want to Achieve.
We hope this training is just the beginning: a lasting spark. That an idea grows into a network. That a workshop leads to tangible improvements on many small farms. And that people in the region see: There are alternatives—and they’re achievable, even with limited resources.
We hope the project evolves with follow-up workshops, new topics, and additional participants. Because the local challenges are great. We hope for enthusiasm, thirst for knowledge, and the openness of participants to explore new paths and make change possible.