Agroecology Update
Good farming starts with good learning and there’s no better classroom than the land itself. Over the past reporting period, Tai Kenya has been hard at work developing our permaculture demonstration farm, a hands-on training ground where local women farmers, Youth and community members can see sustainable agriculture in action, not just hear about it.
Designing for Purpose
Team marking and partitioning the farm according to the permaculture design
Every great demonstration farm starts with a plan. Our team carried out land preparation, then carefully marked and partitioned the farm according to a thoughtful permaculture design laying the groundwork for a space that mirrors natural ecosystems while maximizing productivity.
From there, the real growing began: establishing nursery beds and planting the first round of crop seedlings that would soon transform the farm into a living showcase of sustainable agriculture.
What’s Growing on the Farm
Today, the demonstration farm is bursting with life. Currently planted crops include kales, spinach, groundnuts, coco beans, and carrots plus maize grown using the zai pit method, a climate-smart technique that helps the soil retain moisture even in dry conditions.
Alongside the main plots, our nurseries are thriving too, with kales, spinach, capsicum, coriander, and fruit trees all being raised for future planting. Looking ahead, we’re also planning to establish a dedicated tree nursery within the demo farm another step toward promoting sustainable farming and environmental conservation in the community.
Tending the Land, Together
A demonstration farm is only as good as the care put into it. Our team members have worked side by side to maintain the farm through regular watering, weeding, and close monitoring of crop growth ensuring every seedling has the best chance to thrive.
This hands-on approach reflects exactly what we hope to teach: that sustainable, organic, climate-friendly farming isn’t complicated, but it does take consistency, teamwork, and care.
A Living Classroom for the Community
The vision behind this farm has always been bigger than the crops themselves. Once fully established, the demonstration farm will serve as a training centre where local farmers can learn practical, replicable techniques in permaculture, soil conservation, water management, and sustainable agriculture.
By showcasing climate-friendly and organic practices that are easy to adopt, we’re equipping farmers with knowledge they can take straight back to their own land building a ripple effect of resilience across the wider community.
Looking Ahead
From the first marked plot to the rows of thriving seedlings today, our demonstration farm is steadily becoming what we always envisioned: a space where learning grows alongside the crops. As the farm matures, so too will its role in shaping a more sustainable, food-secure future for Igembe.
Want to see the demonstration farm for yourself, or learn how you can support our agroecology work?
