Pillars of Impact

Gardens Do More Than Grow Food.

Gardens are a powerful intervention point for systems change. By growing healthy food grounded in the principles of agroecology, DIG not only enhances nutrition and food security, but also establishes a foundation for prosperity and growth, laying a pathway to better livelihoods for individuals, families, and whole communities. Rooted in the very soil we cultivate, DIG’s model is intrinsically holistic acknowledging that the stewardship of our planet’s natural resources is crucial for social and economic development.

DIG’s 5 Pillars of Impact

DIG’s impact is cascading and self-scaling, with recorded benefits affecting whole communities. Our pillars, Food Security, Climate Resilience, Social Cohesion, Nutrition & Health, and Financial Resilience, are at the core of the world agenda set by the United Nations for alleviating poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity in the world.

DIG addresses eight of the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Nutrition is the Foundation for Health.

96%

of the children in DIG’s Priority Household Program recover from their diagnosed acute malnutrition.

3x

DIG graduates triple the variety of vegetables they grow and consume. Diet diversity is linked to improved health.

Food Security is the Foundation for Peace.

60%

The average reduction of household food expenditures for DIG farmers from their gardens.

11

the average number of meals per week DIG farmers source from their gardens.

Women are the Foundation for a Healthy Society.

80%

of DIG trained farmers are women and the majority of the income they earn from their gardens is reinvested back into the family and the broader community.

84%

of DIG leadership staff are women.

Financial Resilience is the Foundation for Growth.

2x

The average increase in a farmer’s monthly income sourced from their garden one year after graduating.

5.6x

The average increase in monthly income five years after graduating DIG’s Kenya program.

Climate Resilience is the Foundation of our Future.

96%

of DIG farmers remain chemical free five years after graduating from the DIG Farmer Field School program.

85%

of DIG farmers continue to regularly use climate-resilient, agroecological practices after graduation making them more prepared to withstand harvest disruptions and ensure food security for their families.

Social Cohesion Is the Foundation for Justice

4x

On average, graduates will share DIG’s teachings with four others in their community, growing the benefits organically.

Formerly stigmatized and marginalized farmers become teachers and leaders of this work, reclaiming their role as contributors within their communities.