Skip to content
DIG
  • Who We Are
    • DIG’s Mission
    • Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Partners
    • Anti-Discrimination Statement
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact
  • What We Do
    • Our History of Growth
    • The DIG Model
    • Where We’re Growing
    • Senegal
    • Uganda
    • Kenya
    • What We Do
  • Our Impact
    • Impact Overview
    • How We Measure our Impact
    • Nutrition
    • Food Security
    • Women’s Empowerment
    • Income Generation
    • Climate Resilience
    • Community Transformation
  • DIG
  • DIG News
    • Stories From the Field
    • Videos
    • Media/Press
    • Visit Uganda In Virtual Reality
    • DIG’s COVID19 Response
  • Take Action
    • Donate
    • On the Road With Cocktails & Castoffs 2023
    • May 2023 DIG Kenya Field Trip
    • The DIG Gift Garden
    • At The Table
    • Volunteer / Intern
    • Careers
    • The DIG Pantry
  • Donate
    • Donate
Kenya

The Landscape

Changing climates and an increase in crop pests and disease such as the farm armyworm and locusts have left even the most established Kenyan farmers incredibly vulnerable.

In rural Western Kenya, where DIG works, dense populations leave little land to farm, and families often rely on chemical interventions to bring their harvests to bear.

Because of the dense rural population, much of this region has experienced harmful deforestation, which has contributed to the degradation of soils and increased unsustainable crop production such as sugarcane and tea. This kind of farming not only threatens the ecological systems in the region but leaves already vulnerable farmers even more vulnerable long term.

DIG is working to restore the growing conditions and move farmers back to more healthy diverse crops that can both feed their families while also adding to their income.

 

DIG’s Commitment

DIG started working in Kenya in 2009 through partnerships with a Mothers2Mothers clinic, and the Raila Secondary School in the Kibera slum.  In 2012 we shifted our presence to western Kenya, where the HIV rate (24%) is six times greater than the national rate of 4.5%. Additionally, the infant and under-five mortality rates are disproportionately higher than the rest of the country. Gender discrimination is widely practiced and the overall population relies predominantly on agriculture for their food security. These farmers are some of the most vulnerable to the negative effects of climate change and few grow nutrient-dense crops. For these reasons, DIG felt we could make a significant impact with a variety of uniquely vulnerable communities represented in the region.

Perspective

“Thanks to DIG’s seed support program and my farmer field school training, my home garden is flourishing. My family has enough nutritious food to eat, and I have been able to pay school fees for my three children in secondary school. I was able to fully raise that money from the sale of my green peppers. I am so grateful, because this would not have been possible without DIG’s support and the training I received.”  ~ Pamela Ochuodho, DIG farmer

Current Programs


TCP Global’s Farmer MicroCredit Program 

Mobile Farmer Field Schools 

Priority Households & Mentor Mothers 

DIG's Kenya Team


Olivia

Kenya Country Director

Olivia started with DIG in 2013 with a vision for adapting and expanding our programs in Western Kenya. Her expertise is in sustainable agriculture, environmental management, community based agribusiness, gender equity, and monitoring and evaluation. Olivia has brought immeasurable benefits to both the organization and our farmers in the region. She has a Bachelor of science in agriculture and a Masters in project planning and management. She is married and the mother of 2 exceptional boys who are proud to see their mother leading other women towards improved health and empowerment through nutrition sensitive agriculture.

Dickens

Project Officer - Homa Bay

Dickens joined DIG as Project Officer in 2022. He is a graduate from Egerton University with Bachelor of Science in agriculture and human ecology extension. His ability to lead community outreach programs, excellent leadership skills and advanced experience in agriculture makes him a great fit for leading DIG's Programs in Homa Bay. He is excited to bring in his knowledge and skills in agriculture extension, community development, project management and horticultural production to grow DIG's programs.

Sarah

Farmer Field School Facilitator

In 2012 Sarah graduated from DIG’s program in Lwala. She became a DIG facilitator in 2013 and has since gained additional training in permaculture and ecological land use. Sarah excels as a lead facilitator for our nutrition sensitive Farmer Field Schools program.

Vincent

Farmer Field School Facilitator

In 2012, after graduating from DIG’s Farmer Field School program in Lwala, Vincent became a facilitator. He leads our market and value addition programs. Vincent has shown success working with young mothers on nutrition sensitive agriculture and cooking for their families. As the only male lead on our Kenya team and father to a young daughter, Vincent has become a champion of women’s empowerment both personally and professionally.

Celine

Farmer Field School Facilitator

Celine completed an internship in early 2021 as a data collection assistant for DIG’s Impact Studies. After learning more about DIG’s work in the community, Celine became interested in pursuing a career with DIG. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Crop Science and Management from Eldoret University, Celine joined DIG full-time as a facilitator. She is excited to bring her expertise in agriculture and passion for mentoring others to the field and to the office.

Millicent

Mentor Mother

Millicent graduated from DIG’s Farmer Field School in 2017. With skills learned through her training, she cultivated a large and diverse farm. Her neighbors regularly visit to learn from her and buy vegetables. Millicent joined DIG as a Mentor Mother in 2018 and has worked with over 50 families. She also routinely monitors 20 previously trained farmer groups following their long-term success and challenges.

Monica

Mentor Mother

Monica graduated from DIG’s Farmer Field School in 2017. She and her group facilitator, Sarah Obonyo, developed a special bond as Monica would reliably assist Sarah with additional field work and distributing DIG’s seed input support program to her group. Monica was brought on as a Mentor Mother and works closely with households whose children have been diagnosed by the hospital as malnourished. Since 2018 Monica has mentored over 100 children in the Homa Bay region.

News from the Field: Kenya


Food Security

DIG’s Priority Household Program

October 26, 2022

DIG's most intensive program targets families with children under age five who have been diagnosed as malnourished.

Read More

Climate Resilience

DIG’s Farmer Field School

October 26, 2022

DIG's foundational program prioritizes uniquely marginalized people. They learn to grow nutrient-rich gardens using regenerative agriculture as a way of improving theirs and their family's nutrition, food security, and income.

Read More

Climate Resilience

The Seed Savers of Kenya

November 1, 2021

The work of local seed savers is critical not only for their own household benefit but also for the benefit of their broader communities and the long-term survival of their local plants. These women, all DIG graduates, have become known as expert seed-savers are are a critical link in ensuring their food systems remain resilient and biodiverse.

Read More

Income Generation

Eunice Anyango Otieno

May 5, 2021

Eunice Anyango is a 37 year old mother of six. She credits her success to the knowledge she received from DIG. Her garden income has enabled Eunice to better feed her family and invest in poles and iron sheets to improve her house.

Read More

Community Transformation

When a Garden is Lifesaving

May 5, 2021

At 31 months old, Hannington was diagnosed with severe malnutrition. Learn how DIG worked with Diana, Hannington's mother, and the local hospital to help Hannington recover.

Read More

Community Transformation

“My chicks feed my farm, my farm feeds my family.” Hatching a Farm Business in Western Kenya

March 1, 2021

Lona Abok, a 53-year old grandmother from western Kenya, had exclusively planted maize and beans to feed her family and never gave much attention to growing vegetables. To help her daughter realize her dream of going to college, Lona has been supporting her five grandchildren. After hearing about the DIG program, and the opportunity to earn extra income, Lona got involved. She planted a small vegetable garden near her home, and graduated from DIG’s Farmer Field School program equipped with

Read More

Food Security

Ending Childhood Malnutrition with Seeds in Kenya

November 2, 2020

DIG's Priority Household program works specifically with children under 5 who have been diagnosed as malnourished. Watch how DIG works with families to create gardens that ensure their children grow and thrive.

Read More

Income Generation

Growing a Pathway to Market in Kenya

November 2, 2020

DIGs adaptive programs meet farmers where they are. Listen to Rose Odoyo's story of how DIG helped her develop an organic vegetable business that would not only provide her with a steady income, but would enable her to feed her family and the broader community.

Read More

View More

Program Partners


Logo image
Logo image
Logo image
Logo image
Logo image
Logo image
Logo image
Logo image
Help Plant Seeds That Reap Life

Help Plant Seeds That Reap Life

With your support we can grow our capacity to equip uniquely vulnerable families with the skills and experience to meet their own needs and improve their well-being through gardening.

Donate

Who We Are

  • DIG’s Mission
  • Team
  • Board of Directors
  • Partners
  • Annual Reports
  • Contact

What We Do

  • Our History of Growth
  • The DIG Model
  • Senegal
  • Uganda
  • Kenya

Take Action

  • Donate
  • Shop DIG’s Gift Garden
  • Events
  • Cocktails & Castoffs
  • DIG Field Trips
  • Volunteer / Intern
  • Careers

Newsletter

Copyright © 2023 Development in Gardening 
  • Press
  • Contact

Follow Us

  • Search
X
Join DIG on a
Field Trip to Kenya