Sustainable Harvest International
Beginning with a heartfelt commitment, Sustainable Harvest International has evolved to provide sustainable agriculture initiatives across three countries in Central America.
The story began in the early 1990s with Florence Reed, who served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Panama. There, she recognized the struggles faced by local farmers and envisioned a more sustainable way for them to thrive beyond the damaging slash-and-burn techniques prevalent in the region. Her journey commenced in her parents’ spare bedroom as she contemplated innovative support strategies for Honduran farmers.
Established in 1997, Sustainable Harvest International is built on the principle that grassroots efforts yield the most enduring results. Today, the organization is actively assisting over 3,000 farming families to not only enhance their current livelihoods but also to conserve their lands for future generations.
According to Executive Director Elliot Powell, “A significant transformation in our food production methods is crucial if we wish to address climate change effectively.” He emphasizes the need to tackle the intertwined issues of environmental harm and rural poverty simultaneously.
As part of its forward-looking initiatives, Sustainable Harvest International has launched the Million Farm Transformation project. Powell elaborates, “Our ambitious goal is to rejuvenate one million farms across eight million acres, aiming to empower approximately five million individuals to achieve food sovereignty by the year 2030.”
Rodale Institute
For more than seventy years, the Rodale Institute has spearheaded the transition from traditional farming practices to organic agriculture. Through the promotion of techniques like organic no-till farming and biological methods, they aim to enhance economic sustainability within farming communities, helping consumers make educated food choices.
Jeff Tkach, Chief Impact Officer at Rodale, states, “Our primary goal is to foster regional food systems. The cornerstone of our work is soil health, and our foremost objective is to shift farmlands from chemically-based practices to organic methods.”
The organization places a strong emphasis on consumer education, coining it “the power of the plate.” As Tkach explains, “Every purchase is a vote.” To support this mission, they have developed an extensive virtual campus offering online courses for both consumers and farmers.
One of their latest offerings, titled “Being a Regenerative Consumer,” is available for free online and on demand. This course covers various aspects such as nutrition, understanding product labels, avoiding pesticides, and how regenerative organic practices can help mitigate climate change.
Participants in this course benefit from ongoing access to Rodale’s research insights and have the opportunity to engage with staff, making it a valuable resource with no expiration date.
For Tkach, this work resonates deeply. “Our ultimate mission is to assist individuals in reconnecting with our food system, thereby contributing to the healing of our society.”
