Mercedes is 16 years old and lives in Tunshi Grande, a Kichwa community more than 3,000 meters above sea level in Chimborazo, Ecuador.From there, she can see Taita Chimborazo, the closest point to the sun from the center of the Earth. But what interests her is not the summit but what happens below: the water that rises in the moors, the soils that feed the chakras, and the plants that heal her people. She recently told us about her two-year journey with the Youth Storytellers program, a space … [Read more...] about “We Are One”: Mercedes, a Young Kichwa Woman, Speaks on Nature, Community & Indigenous Knowledge
Groundswell International Earns a Top Four-Star Rating From Charity Navigator
Groundswell International is proud to share that we have earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, the highest possible designation from the United States' largest independent evaluator of nonprofits. This recognition reflects our strong financial health and our commitment to accountability, transparency, and long-term impact. Charity Navigator has been a trusted resource for over 11 million donors annually since 2001, evaluating more than 230,000 nonprofit organizations across the … [Read more...] about Groundswell International Earns a Top Four-Star Rating From Charity Navigator
21 Verses or Principles of a Model Farmer
Across Haiti’s rural hillsides, farming is a way of life, anchored in community, care for the land, and deep ancestral knowledge. Haitian peasant farmers have long practiced resilience through adversity, drawing on tradition and innovation to steward their land. This is especially true within the agroecology movement, where farmers work in harmony with nature to regenerate their soil, feed their families, and build stronger rural communities. Since 2009, the Haitian organization PDL … [Read more...] about 21 Verses or Principles of a Model Farmer
How to Build a Model Farm through Agroecological Farming: A Practical Guide
Across the globe, farmers are confronting a storm of interwoven crises. Climate change, shifting global social dynamics, and systemic injustices intersect with soil degradation, prolonged droughts, economic instability, and rising insecurity. For rural communities, building sustainable food systems—where both people and ecosystems can thrive—is not just an aspiration, but a necessity for survival and dignity. And this matter affects us all. Smallholder farmers produce up to 80% of the world's … [Read more...] about How to Build a Model Farm through Agroecological Farming: A Practical Guide
How a Young Agriculture Student in Burkina Faso Turned Passion into Purpose
'In the heart of every young person lies the potential for greatness' Unknown In many rural African communities, youth are often perceived as detached from agriculture—more drawn to city life and office jobs than farming or community-based livelihoods. This perception partially reflects a reality: youth still see conventional farming as labor-intensive, poorly paid, and lacking dignity, and the lack of jobs in rural areas pushes many to leave their home in search of opportunities … [Read more...] about How a Young Agriculture Student in Burkina Faso Turned Passion into Purpose
Strengthening Agroecology in Nepal: A New Partnership Between Groundswell International and Tribhuvan University
Groundswell International is proud to announce a new partnership with Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, Nepal, to advance natural farming and agroecology in Nepal through collaborative research, education, and field-based learning. This partnership is a promising step forward for sustainable agriculture in South Asia, deepening academic-practitioner collaboration, equipping the next generation of food systems leaders, and strengthening climate-resilient food systems rooted in ecological … [Read more...] about Strengthening Agroecology in Nepal: A New Partnership Between Groundswell International and Tribhuvan University