Adaptive Farming
Farmers make up the majority of the global population living on less than $57 per month.
Many of these farmers lack formal business training and are using farming techniques that don’t fit the local environment.
We collaborate with farmers—both groups and individuals—in “farmerpreneurship” development. We teach adaptive farming alongside practical business skills training, and we go a step further to connect our farmers to the markets they need to succeed.
Adaptive Farming in Action
When farmers can produce food for their own families AND create a profitable revenue stream, they become problem-solvers in their communities and help sustainably improve the local economy.
Because we believe that lasting solutions come from local problem solvers, not foreign aid, we equip local people with the tools needed to plant and run farms and agribusinesses that help people out of the pit of poverty for generations to come.
Over his four years of teaching regenerative agriculture practices, Flint team leader David Reeves has seen many people begin to live flourishing lives as a result of Flint’s agribusiness training. This particular story captures the inspiring personal transformation and community impact we see regularly in our partners with Flint:
MALONGO’S STORY
After participating in Flint’s programs, Malongo and 9 of his neighbors started an Agribusiness Club.
Their group courageously decided to start several businesses related to raising chickens, fish farming, growing onions, and beekeeping. These endeavors represent an enormous transformative opportunity for the members of the group.
Together they dug their fish pond by hand, constructed a chicken run, and purchased 120 chicks. The group began funding their chicken-raising business through the sale of onions and later used a small microloan facilitated by Flint through our local partners. Others in their community are taking notice and asking to join their group! [See pictures below!]
Building the ladder out of the pit of poverty is a multi-prong process that requires development in three main areas: 1) Mindset 2) Access 3) Skills.
Mindset
Poverty is more than financial hardship. Poverty creates pervasive hopelessness and negativity that permeates entire communities.
Our Agribusiness Workshops introduce a new growth mindset and ignite a positive framework for a new way of thinking. Our partners start to see their resources, time, and work as tools to help break their own cycles of poverty!
Access
Starting a profitable agribusiness in the world’s most challenging economic environments is difficult and requires ongoing support.
Flint Global connects our farmers to the networks they need to run a successful business: local suppliers, markets, and supportive peer groups.
We connect our farming partners to local mentors in their communities for immediate and ongoing support throughout their entrepreneurial and agricultural enterprises and business development.
Skills
Business Skills: Our Flint farming partners are taught foundational business basics and are led through a step-wise approach to building or improving their own agribusiness.
Adaptive Farming Skills: Flint provides expert training in Adaptive Farming practices designed to withstand environmental challenges and allow thriving and high crop yields in the face of uncertainty.
Adaptive farming can be described as a holistic and dynamic approach to agriculture that focuses on building resilience and responsiveness within farming systems. Unlike conventional farming practices that rely on standardized methods, adaptive farming involves consistent monitoring, learning, and adjustment. It emphasizes flexibility, diversity, and the integration of innovative yet simple techniques to effectively manage the uncertainties presented by environmental changes, market fluctuations, and other unpredictable factors.
Flint’s Adaptive Farming techniques have helped many global farmers produce high crop yields on the small plots of land they already own. By utilizing and building off the talents and assets already present, Flint is able to help our farming partners transform their small sustenance farm into a profitable agribusiness that pays for their children’s education and allows their family to thrive for generations!
SKILLS: Business, Personal Finance, Management, Agriculture, and many more!
ACCESS: Connections to Mentors, Markets, Suppliers, and Information, and many more!
MINDSET: View of Self, View of World, View of Business, Beliefs, and many more!
Want to hear stories of impressive entrepreneurship every week?
Will you support people breaking the cycle of poverty through entrepreneurship?