West Africa is one of the youngest regions in the world, with people under 35 making up the majority of the population. Yet across much of the region, agriculture, the sector that sustains millions of livelihoods, remains difficult for young people to enter as independent producers. The conditions required to qualify as an independent farmer include access to and ownership of land, control over labor, family dynamics, and the funds required for farming. This overall capital is far above the … [Read more...] about Forming the Future Foundation of Agroecology and Food Sovereignty in West Africa
What Happens When a Farmer Stops Buying Seeds, Fertilizers and Pesticides?
Radhika Mahato is a smallholder farmer in Sarlahi, Nepal. For years, she farmed the way most people around her did: one crop at a time, with chemical pesticides from the local shop, and she would buy most vegetables at the market. Most farming decisions were made by male family members, and she used to travel a long way to her field to farm every day. That started to change when she joined hands-on training sessions run by our local partner RWUA (Rural Women's Upliftment Association). The … [Read more...] about What Happens When a Farmer Stops Buying Seeds, Fertilizers and Pesticides?
Joining Forces to Support Resilient Food Systems in Haiti: Acceso, PDL & Groundswell International’s Partnership
With the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Groundswell International, Partenariat pour le Développement Local (PDL), and Acceso, have been working on a 3-year program (April 2024 - March 2027) to strengthen connections between smallholder agroecological farmers and local market access in Haiti. The program is one of the initiatives of the Haiti Food System Alliance (HFSA), a network of 15 organizations working to transform Haiti's food systems. Together, we are producing results that … [Read more...] about Joining Forces to Support Resilient Food Systems in Haiti: Acceso, PDL & Groundswell International’s Partnership
Jóvenes Contadores de Historias vivieron espacios de reflexión y creación en el marco del Día de la Tierra 2026
Cada año, el Día de la Tierra impulsa actividades para discutir la relación entre las personas y el entorno. En Santa Ana Zegache, una comunidad rural del estado de Oaxaca, al sur de México, esa conversación se llevó, con el programa de Jóvenes Contadores de Historias, a un espacio concreto con jóvenes que viven en un territorio donde el acceso al agua, los cambios en el clima y las formas de cultivo hacen parte de la cotidiadinad. Oaxaca concentra una alta diversidad cultural y biológica, … [Read more...] about Jóvenes Contadores de Historias vivieron espacios de reflexión y creación en el marco del Día de la Tierra 2026
Youth Reflection Circles to Strengthen the Bond with Mother Earth – Earth Day 2026
This article is also available in Spanish. Read it here. Every year, Earth Day sparks conversations about the relationship between people and the environment. In Santa Ana Zegache, a rural community in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, that conversation took shape through the Youth Storyteller Program, facilitated by our local partner Centéotl. "Oaxaca is home to rich cultural and biological diversity, with Indigenous communities closely tied to local agricultural systems. But water … [Read more...] about Youth Reflection Circles to Strengthen the Bond with Mother Earth – Earth Day 2026
Groundswell International Welcomes Sarah Sahlaney As Its New Executive Director
Groundswell International is pleased to welcome Sarah Sahlaney as its new Executive Director, effective April 1, 2026. She succeeds Steve Brescia, who is stepping into a new role after 17 years of service as founder and Executive Director, and who will now transition to Director of Action-Learning. The appointment follows an in-depth search led by the organization’s Board of Directors and a search committee that included board members and representatives of staff and local NGO … [Read more...] about Groundswell International Welcomes Sarah Sahlaney As Its New Executive Director