In the village of Ginjoi in Bihar, something remarkable is taking root. At Utkramit Madhya Vidyalaya, an upper middle school with just over 250 students, learning now stretches beyond the classroom walls. In a small garden beside the school, children crouch between rows of local vegetables, their hands dusty with soil as they water, weed, and harvest. The patch of land, once unused and barren, has transformed into a living classroom where tending the earth is becoming as much a part of … [Read more...] about How This School Kitchen Garden Is Transforming Meals and Homes in Bihar, India
Youth in Agriculture
Restoring Ancient Ahar-Pyne Water Systems: A Rebirth of Traditional Farming Practices in India
In the flat farmlands of Surungabigha in Southern Bihar, a dry body of water had been quietly fading into memory. The ahar-pyne — a traditional irrigation system developed by smallholder farmers — had long been abandoned. The land around it was barren, weeds growing in clumps where water once flowed. For local farmers, it was a visible reminder of colonial times, when British-imposed “modern” irrigation methods and land policies pushed aside community-built systems and the knowledge … [Read more...] about Restoring Ancient Ahar-Pyne Water Systems: A Rebirth of Traditional Farming Practices in India
“We Are One”: Mercedes, a Young Kichwa Woman, Speaks on Nature, Community & Indigenous Knowledge
Mercedes is 16 years old and lives in Tunshi Grande, a Kichwa community 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 where … [Read more...] about “We Are One”: Mercedes, a Young Kichwa Woman, Speaks on Nature, Community & Indigenous Knowledge
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
Ecuadorian Youth Draw a Future Free of Chemicals and Rooted in Nature
Across the globe in December, we honor International Mountain Day (December 11), International No Pesticide Use Day (December 3), and World Soil Day (December 5). These days bring awareness to the critical role of soil, mountains, and regenerative agriculture in sustaining life. This year, youth storytellers from our local partner EkoRural in Ecuador stepped forward with thoughtful drawings that inspire us to reconnect with the earth. Their art calls out harmful agricultural practices, … [Read more...] about Ecuadorian Youth Draw a Future Free of Chemicals and Rooted in Nature
Young Leaders Shaping the Future of Food Systems Through Film: Looking Back on the 2024 Field to Film Festival
Each year, the Field to Film Festival marks a milestone for our Youth Storyteller Program, a unique initiative where young leaders learn to capture and share the stories of their families and the agroecological solutions transforming their communities. This year, through bold and creative storytelling, they ignited movements of hope and change across diverse corners of the globe. Stories that resonate across borders In 2024, over 50 young storytellers brought their communities' stories … [Read more...] about Young Leaders Shaping the Future of Food Systems Through Film: Looking Back on the 2024 Field to Film Festival