A Landmark Agreement for Farmers, Nature, and Climate
GrowGrounds is proud to announce a transformative partnership with three leading coffee farming cooperative societies in Nyeri County, Kenya: Iriani Farmers’ Cooperative Society, Kiawamuru FCS, and Aguthi Farmers’ Cooperative Society. This landmark agreement marks a pivotal step in advancing sustainable coffee farming practices, empowering farmers, and contributing to global climate action. Together, we will convert 3,500 hectares of coffee farmland to biodiverse, carbon-sequestering syntropic agroforestry systems—starting with 5,800 farmers—while planting an incredible 1.1 million trees.
Revolutionizing Coffee Farming in Kenya
The agreement lays the foundation for a large-scale venture designed to transform Kenya’s coffee sector. With GrowGrounds’ expertise in agroforestry and carbon sequestration, Kenyan farmers will adopt syntropic farming practices that enhance biodiversity, improve yields, and create long-term income opportunities. This collaboration goes beyond coffee farming; it’s about building climate resilience, restoring ecosystems, and enabling access to the global carbon market.
What This Means for Farmers
For the 5,800 farmers participating in this project, this partnership represents a brighter and more sustainable future. Through comprehensive training and technical support, they will learn to implement agroforestry techniques that regenerate soil health, diversify crop yields, and increase their farms’ economic potential. With direct access to carbon credits certified under the Gold Standard, farmers will gain a new revenue stream from the global carbon market—a critical step toward economic empowerment.
Key highlights for farmers:
- Training 5,800 farmers in syntropic agroforestry practices by 2027.
- Securing 80% of revenue from carbon credit sales, distributed equitably among participants.
- Enhanced livelihoods through diversified income sources and reduced dependency on agrochemicals.
Advancing Climate Action and Biodiversity
Nature and climate stand to benefit immensely from this initiative. By converting 3,500 hectares to agroforestry, the project will:
- Sequester significant amounts of CO2 through tree planting and soil restoration.
- Restore ecosystem health by promoting biodiversity with a variety of tree and plant species.
- Support Kenya’s commitment to sustainable land use and climate mitigation strategies under the
- UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The planting of 1.1 million trees isn’t just a number; it’s a statement of intent to combat deforestation, preserve water resources, and nurture ecosystems for future generations.
GrowGrounds’ Role and Commitment
As a leader in agroforestry and carbon markets, GrowGrounds will:
- Manage the overall project, ensuring compliance with the Gold Standard for carbon credits.
- Provide training and technical expertise to Kenyan cooperatives and their network of technicians.
- Facilitate the sale of Planned Emission Reductions (PERs) and Verified Emission Reductions (VERs), ensuring transparency and maximum benefit for farmers.
This project is a testament to our mission: We grow businesses by growing nature. By combining innovative farming practices with economic incentives, we’re helping farmers and communities thrive while fighting climate change.
A Future Built on Collaboration
This partnership is just the beginning. The initial phase, starting with 5,800 farmers on 3,500 hectares, will pave the way for scaling the initiative to 30,000 hectares in East Africa by 2029. GrowGrounds envisions expanding this model across East Africa, supporting more farmers, and creating a ripple effect of positive change for people and the planet.
We invite you to join us on this journey toward a greener, more sustainable future. Together, we can reimagine coffee farming and unlock the full potential of nature-based solutions to combat climate change.
Stay Connected Follow us here on growgrounds.org for updates on this project and other groundbreaking initiatives. Let’s grow nature, livelihoods, and business together.
