HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

HEIFER INTERNATIONAL 

Heifer International is an organization that works in 21 countries around the world to strengthen local economies and build secure livelihoods that guarantee a living income to local farmers. They summarize their mission with one interesting sentence “Ending poverty begins with agriculture”  as they have plain confidence the road to ending poverty begins by empowering farmers. That's why they have been working since 1944 providing capital, technology and other important resources necessary for small-scale farmers to succeed.

Their programs used to begin with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help participants build a business and could gain access to the supply chain and markets. Here are five things you should know about Heifer International and I am completely sure you are going to be encouraged to learn more.

1.

It is interesting to see how all around this wonderful organization is caring about the people who don't have too many opportunities to start a business. All the programs start with mentorship and the farmers who train and partner with Heifer USA are a diverse group of small-scale growers and ranchers spread across the country. When the organization is looking for people who want to start this role in their lives, they need two things: people who want to make their farms profitable enterprises and people passionate for regenerating their land. 

2.

In order to conserve and rehabilitate the farmland through different techniques, Heifer USA has implemented the regenerative agriculture method. This method  ensures the food supply is sustainable based on four principles: soil Health, biodiversity, improved water cycles and holistic management. Another important reason is because regeneratively and humanely raised meat is a valuable product in increasingly high demand. 

3.

Being a volunteer could be a good option to immerse in this beautiful field. The international organization offers educational experiences to learn best practices to start or expand your own farm enterprise through profitable, regenerative farming. Volunteers at the Heifer Ranch are provided housing on site and work full time in organic gardens and prepare meals in the farm kitchen. 

4. 

One of the most interesting things is Heifer USA works to connect farmers to markets and to integrate them into a short, profitable, direct-to-consumer supply chain. Also, the farmers not only receive all the knowledge and the practice at the end of the road, but they also have the opportunity to sell their products with the different partnership the organization has. 

5. 

Heifer Ranch is on track to become a fully accredited Savory Global Network Hub by June 2021. This is a community that facilitates the large-scale regeneration of the world’s grasslands and the livelihoods of their habitants, through holistic management. The data who extract Savory Global from Heifer Ranch help scientists gauge the impact and benefits of regenerative practices, which informs Heifer’s programming globally and better enables Heifer farmers and their communities to thrive.” When Heifer USA is accredited, they will offer Savory workshops and Holistic Management programs, custom training and consulting services, to help landowners the long term sustainability of their projects and initiatives.