Programs

2023: A Year in Review

2023 was an exciting 26th year for Sustainable Harvest International (SHI). We expanded to new communities, growing our current partnering farming families in Central America. Program teams focused on building partnerships, strengthening program management skills, and training farmers in small business practices. The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) chose SHI as a Commitment Maker, opening the door to new funding opportunities. A Minecraft world was built based on our work in Santa Martha, Belize, to raise money for our work. 

Please read on to see our many accomplishments in this past year–accomplishments that would not have been possible without your support. Whether you give a little, give a lot, or give monthly, your gifts bring us one step closer to achieving our goal of one million farms transformed by 2030

Program Highlights

In collaboration with VRS Consult, SHI Program teams took part in a training in project management, certification for social development projects, and evaluation of priorities. Jenniffer Zapata, Director of Programs + Partnerships said the training “represented an opportunity to better understand the program cycle, discuss management tools, and agree on a work plan focused on creating greater impact for families + communities.” In the initial training, 14 team members from SHI-Honduras and SHI-Belize participated.

SHI programs team with SHI-Honduras and a SHI-Belize representative after Program DPRO training

SHI-Belize

Love Tropics

In the fall of 2023, a volunteer group of Minecraft gamers selected SHI as recipients of their Love Tropics fundraiser. Every year, Love Tropics picks a charity to support that is working to protect the world’s tropical forests. The group then designs a world in Minecraft that depicts the nonprofit’s work, why it matters, and how supporters can get involved. 

Minecraft world based on SHI community Santa Martha, Belize with logo “LT23,” meaning “Love Tropics 2023”

Gamers raised money by playing mini games in the virtual world inspired by our Santa Martha, Belize community. During the 48-hour event, gamers learned about our work thanks to educational games, interviews, and resources. They also raised $24,688! Learn more about this unique collaboration.

Minecraft world with SHI logo

In December, SHI-Belize ended the year by adding another community, Progresso. The new participants eagerly created their farm plans before the holidays, and now they are continuing their Phase 1 training. 

SHI-Honduras 

In Phase 3 of SHI’s four-year program, participant farmers learn how to build a small business. Partner farmers decide on a product, from spices and dehydrated goods to fresh bread, then they sell it to their local community members. In Honduras, many of the women participant farmers have exceeded expectations and demonstrated their ability to create, market, and sell unique products. 

Linda and her products

Linda sells dehydrated fruits and herbs 

Ana's packaged homemade bread

Ana’s homemade fresh bread

SHI-Honduras partner farmers were also recognized in a global business program for their ability to start a successful family business. Although they still have two more phases until they graduate from SHI’s program, they are already demonstrating their commitment to improving their livelihoods and the livelihoods of others.

SHI-Honduras graduates and SHI-Honduras field trainers at graduation

SHI-Honduras partner farmers graduate from program “Global Business” 

SHI-PANAMA

SHI-Panama ended the year with an accomplishment and celebration. Right before the holidays, the partner farmers in the community of El Limón (or “The Lemon” in English) graduated from our five-phase program! After four years of sustainable farming and small business training, these dedicated family farmers completed the requirements necessary to move forward to their next life stage. After graduation, we still keep in contact with partner farmers as they expand their farms and share what they learned with others.

SHI-Panama graduates with certificates

SHI-Panama graduates from the community of El Limón with their SHI certificates

New Initiatives

Clinton Global Initiative

We became a Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Commitment Maker in the fall of 2023. Our work was recognized on stage alongside other organizations implementing climate solutions, and we were acknowledged as a leader in climate resilience. Our commitment includes a 3-year program to expand sustainable agriculture and the improvement of livelihoods in Honduras. With this new platform and support, we plan to work with an additional 1,600 family farmers. Read the full announcement and follow our progress.

Flo on stage at CGI

TV host Padma Lakshmi (third from left) announced SHI, represented by Founder Florence Reed (right), and two other commitment-makers on the main stage at the Clinton Global Initiative’s 2023 annual meeting

Speaking Engagements

Founder + Director of Strategic Growth, Florence Reed (Flo), represented SHI at two key summits in 2023. In May, she spoke at the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health’s (CA4SH) AIM for Climate Summit. Flo highlighted the need to work with smallholder farmers and discussed the many practices we use, including agroforestry and agroecology, that are sequestering carbon. Flo also emphasized that the work we do is both for nature and people. 

Flo giving talk on panel

SHI Founder + Director of Strategic Growth Florence Reed speaking at CA4SH’s AIM for Climate Summit

In August, Flo spoke at 1T.org US Summit’s International Working Group meeting. The meeting focused on risk mitigation, and Flo spoke about the importance of close, long-term relationships with the people planting the trees. She specifically focused on community engagement and building trust.

In December, during COP28 (United Nations Climate Change Conference), Flo spoke as a panelist for the Clean Cooking Alliance. Flo discussed the importance of clean cooking and its relationship to food security, including access to efficient stoves we help SHI participant farmers build to reduce air pollution in their homes.

Webinars

To end 2023 surrounded by our community, we hosted two webinars - one on World Soil Day and another before the holidays featuring our directors. 

The World Soil Day webinar, “The Soil-ution Beneath Our Feet!” featured SHI Board Member and UC San Francisco professor Katherine Gundling, who discussed her soil biology technician training and the connections between soil health and public health. SHI-Belize Programs + Partnerships Coordinator, Indira Patt, presented on the basics of soil chemistry, restoration, and explained how others can restore soil regardless of where they live. The recording is on our YouTube channel.

Event announcement featuring SHI Board Member Katherine Gundling and SHI-Belize Indira Patt

SHI directors discussed highlights of the year at our second webinar. Founder + Director of Strategic Growth Florence Reed highlighted the partnerships we made in 2023 and the grassroots efforts propelling us into 2024. Director of Programs + Partnerships Jenniffer Zapata highlighted program advancements and the incredible progress SHI partner farmers made for regenerative agriculture and climate solutions. The recording is on our YouTube channel.

Event announcement featuring SHI Founder + Director of Strategic Growth Florence Reed and SHI Director of Programs + Partnerships Jenniffer Zapata

Team Growth

SHI added three new full-time positions: Communications + Outreach Coordinator, Program Impact Manager, and Regional Administrative and Financial Consultant. During the last few months of 2023, we had an Interim Executive Director while we searched for a new Executive Director who has the experience, knowledge, and empathy to lead our organization. 

SHI Spotlights 

In the News

Net Zero conversations announcement

Reports

Interviews

In Memoriam

We’d like to honor and acknowledge the supporters who we loved and lost in 2023. We’re grateful for their time and generosity, and we will continue to remember their legacy that lives on through others who were touched by their gifts

  • Geoffrey Clark, Board Member

  • David Borden, Board Chair

  • Charles Sweetman, Donor

  • William Raap, Donor

  • Barbara Kronenber, Supporter - Harvest for the Hungry Garden

  • Margery Forbes, Major Donor


In 2023, you motivated us to focus on the end goal and to overcome barriers. Our partner farmers continued to work hard, every single day, even when Central America was in the path of tropical storm Pilar. Our collective goal for a just and sustainable future keeps us going, despite any unforeseen circumstances. 

In 2024 and beyond, we’ll continue to work with sustainable farmers who are improving the health of the soil, land, water, and environment for us all. We hope you’ll continue to partner with us as we work together to create a more just and sustainable world.

This International Rural Women’s Day, Sustainable Harvest International Celebrates Women Farmers of All Ages

Every day, rural women work long, tireless, and sometimes thankless hours to provide for their families. Their innate desire to nurture and uplift their communities in Belize, Honduras, and Panama is palpable as they work with Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) to transform their farms into regenerative ones. Thanks to them, large swaths of land are restored, families are kept intact, and we are all better for it.

SHI-Belize - Love Drives Our Work

In the community of Concepcion in northern Belize, Maritza Cunil exemplifies the foundation of SHI’s work: love. More specifically, love for people and the planet. 

Maritza lives with her sister Kelly and Kelly's three children (four if you count the family dog). The two women share the role of head of the family and more than make up for the lack of a traditional male role model. Both sisters work to support their family and Maritza recently took on the task of providing for the small family.

Maritza Cunil (right), her sister Kelly (middle), and Kelly’s three children live together in Corozal, Belize.

 

Maritza’s Family dog

 

Maritza is one of SHI-Belize’s newest partnering farmers. She joined the program eager to learn how to improve her family’s health. Although the children she cares for are not her own, she treats them as if they are. In this family, love for one another’s well-being keeps them united. 

With support from SHI, Maritza is learning how to make the most of their land by diversifying crops and using organic agricultural methods. In Phase 1 of SHI’s multi-phase program, she quickly learns how to build a plant nursery and compost storage. After the compost turns into soil, it then gets used in the vegetable garden. Food scraps, dry leaves, animal manure, and microorganisms work together to maintain the health of Maritza’s garden, land, and family.

Maritza Cunil shares her farm plan.

Just a year ago, Maritza was sharing her vision for her land with SHI-Belize staff by drawing a farm plan. Her dedication to providing for her family is what drives her sustainable farming pursuits, and it’s what makes her a leader in Concepcion. 

SHI-Honduras - Representation in Farming

In the community of El Peñón in Honduras, a new program highlights the importance of including rural women in agricultural discussions, trainings, and programs. A Field School, aptly called “New Hope,” is made up of 50% rural women. The 14 women are transforming their lives and those of their loved ones.

Female participation in the school allows for interaction and knowledge exchange with other women farmers. Their participation generates interest in other rural women, multiplying the effects of the New Hope school. By learning about sustainable agriculture and putting into practice lessons learned, these 14 women serve as community leaders of improved livelihoods and leave behind a positive legacy. 

Lilian Suyapa Montoya Caballero (left) and Isabel Montoya (right) learn about organic management of soil at the New Hope school.

Women SHI partnering farmers are determined to improve their livelihoods and family’s health. They learn about the power of sustainable agriculture, then share that knowledge with other members of their community. The women of SHI-Honduras take matters into their own hands, literally, and aren’t afraid of getting dirty. The diverse perspectives they bring to New Hope school are crucial to the new program's success. 

SHI-Panama - Age Is But a Number

Gender does not define who can master the art and science of sustainable farming, but rural women in Panama are becoming masters not only despite their gender, but also their age.

Karla Jaén, daughter of SHI partnering farmer Clivel Vargas, doesn’t let her youth prevent her from becoming a farmer. In fact, her youth is a powerful tool to becoming the most knowledgeable farmer in the area. She’s learning at a young age what it means to plant and harvest crops in harmony with nature. Karla will grow up to be a leader in regenerative practices, and it’s thanks to her mother. The passing down of knowledge, from one women generation to another, creates a strong network of rural women farmers in Panama and beyond. 

Karla Jaén with cabbage harvested in her family garden.

From youth to elders, all ages of women farmers are represented in SHI’s programs. Lucia Mora can attest to that. She began working with SHI-Panama later on in life, but that didn’t slow her down. She is now in Phase 3 of SHI’s multi-phase program (over half way through!), and her recent accomplishments include establishing a regenerative farm, building and maintaining a chicken coop, and weaving sun hats to sell at the market. Her wisdom originates from her desire to work with the local natural resources. Lucia is ingenious, strategic, and caring in her daily farm work. She understands that sustainable farming requires patience, ongoing commitment, and attention to detail.

Lucia Mora proudly holds the oranges harvested on her farm, which are used for family consumption and to sell.

International Rural Women’s Day is celebrated on October 15 and reminds us of the importance of rural women farmers. These women farmers inspire SHI to continue expanding our programs so that more empowered mothers, aunts, daughters, and grandmothers may possess the knowledge they need to transform livelihoods.

Where there are women leaders, there is hope for people and the planet.


Este Día Internacional de la Mujer Rural, SHI celebra a las mujeres agricultoras de todas las edades

Todos los días, las mujeres rurales trabajan largas horas, incansables y, a veces, ingratas para mantener a sus familias. Su deseo innato de nutrir y mejorar a sus comunidades en Belice, Honduras y Panamá es palpable mientras trabajan con Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) para transformar sus granjas en granjas regenerativas. Gracias a ellas, se restauran grandes extensiones de tierra, las familias se mantienen intactas y todos estamos mejor.

SHI-Belice - El amor impulsa nuestro trabajo

En la comunidad de Concepción, en el norte de Belice, Maritza Cunil ejemplifica el fundamento del trabajo de SHI: el amor. Más concretamente, el amor por las personas y el planeta.

Maritza vive con su hermana Kelly y los tres hijos de Kelly (cuatro si contamos el perro de la familia). Las dos mujeres comparten el papel de jefa de la familia y compensan la falta de un modelo masculino tradicional. Ambas hermanas trabajan para mantener a su familia y Maritza recientemente asumió la tarea de brindar sustento a la pequeña familia.

Martiza and her family

Maritza Cunil (derecha), su hermana Kelly (centro) y los tres hijos de Kelly viven juntos en Corozal, Belice.

Maritza es una de las agricultoras asociadas más recientes de SHI-Belize. Se unió al programa ansiosa por aprender cómo mejorar la salud de su familia. Aunque los niños que cuida no son suyos, los trata como si lo fueran. En esta familia, el amor por el bienestar de los demás los mantiene unidos.

Con el apoyo de SHI, Maritza está aprendiendo cómo aprovechar al máximo su tierra diversificando cultivos y utilizando métodos agrícolas orgánicos. En la Fase 1 del programa de varias fases de SHI, aprende rápidamente cómo construir un vivero de plantas y un almacén de abono. Una vez que el abono se convierte en tierra, se utiliza en el huerto. Los restos de comida, las hojas secas, el estiércol animal y los microorganismos trabajan juntos para mantener la salud del jardín, la tierra y la familia de Maritza.

Hace apenas un año, Maritza estaba compartiendo su visión de su tierra con el personal de SHI-Belice al diseñar un plan agrícola. Su dedicación a mantener a su familia es lo que impulsa sus actividades agrícolas sostenibles y es lo que la convierte en una líder en Concepción.

SHI-Honduras - Representación en Agricultura

En la comunidad de El Peñón en Honduras, un nuevo programa destaca la importancia de incluir a las mujeres rurales en debates, capacitaciones y programas agrícolas. Una Escuela de Campo, acertadamente llamada “Nueva Esperanza”, está compuesta en un 50% por mujeres rurales. Las 14 mujeres están transformando sus vidas y las de sus seres queridos.

La participación femenina en la escuela permite la interacción y el intercambio de conocimientos con otras mujeres agricultoras. Su participación genera interés en otras mujeres rurales, multiplicando los efectos de la escuela Nueva Esperanza. Al aprender sobre agricultura sostenible y poner en práctica las lecciones aprendidas, estas 14 mujeres actúan como líderes comunitarias que mejoran los medios de vida y dejan un legado positivo.

Las mujeres agricultoras que colaboran con SHI están decididas a mejorar sus medios de vida y la salud de sus familias. Aprenden sobre el poder de la agricultura sostenible y luego comparten ese conocimiento con otros miembros de su comunidad. Las mujeres de SHI-Honduras toman el asunto en sus propias manos, literalmente, y no tienen miedo de ensuciarse. Las diversas perspectivas que aportan a la escuela New Hope son cruciales para el éxito del nuevo programa.

SHI-Panamá - La edad es más que un número

El género no define quién puede dominar el arte y la ciencia de la agricultura sostenible, pero las mujeres rurales de Panamá se están convirtiendo en maestras no sólo a pesar de su género, sino también de su edad.

Karla Jaén, hija del agricultor asociado de SHI, Clivel Vargas, no permite que su juventud le impida convertirse en agricultora. De hecho, su juventud es una herramienta poderosa para convertirse en la agricultora con más conocimientos de la zona. Desde pequeña está aprendiendo lo que significa plantar y cosechar cultivos en armonía con la naturaleza. Karla crecerá hasta convertirse en una líder en prácticas regenerativas y es gracias a su madre. La transmisión de conocimientos, de una generación de mujeres a otra, crea una sólida red de agricultoras rurales en Panamá y más allá.

Karla and her brother show their bean harvest

Karla Jaén (derecha) y Elias Vargas (izquierda) muestran los frijoles que cultivan en su jardín, para el consumo en el hogar.

Desde jóvenes hasta personas mayores, agricultoras de todas las edades están representadas en los programas de SHI. Lucía Mora puede dar fe de ello. Comenzó a trabajar con SHI-Panamá más adelante en su vida, pero eso no la frenó. Ahora se encuentra en la Fase 3 del programa de múltiples fases de SHI (¡más de la mitad!), y sus logros recientes incluyen establecer una granja regenerativa, construir y mantener un gallinero y tejer sombreros para el sol para vender en el mercado. Su sabiduría surge de su deseo de trabajar con los recursos naturales locales. Lucía es ingeniosa, estratégica y solidaria en su trabajo agrícola diario. Ella entiende que la agricultura sostenible requiere paciencia, compromiso continuo y atención al detalle.

Lucia feeds chickens

La señora Lucia Mora alimenta a los pollos de patio, que cría para el consumo y para  la venta.

El Día Internacional de la Mujer Rural se celebra el 15 de octubre y nos recuerda la importancia de las agricultoras rurales. Estas agricultoras inspiran a SHI a continuar ampliando nuestros programas para que más madres, tías, hijas y abuelas empoderadas puedan poseer el conocimiento que necesitan para transformar los medios de vida.

Donde hay mujeres líderes, hay esperanza para las personas y el planeta.