Why an all-female food sector collective is cycling 75k across Kenya

The Farm Africa GROW for Good Challenge will take women FMCG industry leaders across the Embu County on bikes for 75k from 20-25 October, with the aim of raising at least £75,000​.

The group will stop to work on female-led farms involved in Farm Africa’s regenerative agriculture project.

By working on the farms, the fundraisers will have first-hand and hands-on experience of regenerative agriculture processes in the region. They will also learn how Farm Africa is improving farmers’ agricultural practices and understanding through the charity’s advisor network.

Through their work in the Embu County, the intrepid travellers are hoping to attract the attention of generous corporate and individual industry sponsors, whose donations will help support small-scale farmers to grow and sell more​.

The team will also participate in a roundtable with other female industry leaders in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. During the roundtable, they will further raise awareness of the need to drive positive change for women in the global food system.

So who are some of these courageous and generous women? And why are they taking on such a demanding challenge? FoodNavigator finds out:

Kate Taylor – ABP:Why do you think it’s important to support female farmers in eastern Africa?Kate TaylorI believe it’s important to support female farmers in eastern Africa because these women are the backbone of their communities. By giving them the tools and opportunities they need, we’re helping them create a better future for their families and communities. It’s inspiring to see how a small investment in women’s skills and resources can lead to lasting change, from growing their incomes to making their farms more resilient against climate change

What are you most looking forward to on the GROW for Good challenge?I’m really looking forward to the GROW for Good Challenge, especially the chance to connect with other passionate women from the agriculture and food world. It’s going to be amazing to share this experience with people who care about the same things I do, and to learn from each other as we work together. I can’t wait to meet the women farmers we’re supporting and see first-hand how our efforts can make a real difference in their lives and communities

What message do you have for your supporters?To all our supporters, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you! Your support means so much to me and the whole team as we take on the GROW for Good Challenge. These women are building a brighter future for their families and communities, and your support is helping them get there. We couldn’t do this without you!

Frances Bryan – Finsbury FoodsWhy do you think it’s important to support female farmers in eastern Africa?It truly makes a difference to the community as a whole and helps to empower and educate the next generation

What are you most looking forward to on the GROW for Good challenge?Working alongside inspiring women, both in Kenya and those coming on the trip

Michelle Morris – University of Leeds:Why do you think it’s important to support female farmers in eastern Africa?Michelle MorrisFarm Africa’s work in Africa leaves a lasting legacy in communities. As part of #TeamGROW I am proud to be leaving a legacy that Grows Opportunities and Resilience for women in these communities.

What are you most looking forward to on the GROW for Good challenge?I am really looking forward to meeting the Kenyan women farmers and seeing what their daily activities are like. With my passion for data, I am most excited to meet the data clerks, who measure and record processes on the farms, important for many reasons, including consideration of carbon credits.

What message do you have for your supporters?I jumped at the chance to get involved with #TeamGROW, to raise important funding, to learn from these Kenyan women and the women I will travel from the UK with, and to contribute something to this legacy through our round table event. When I learned that there would be a cycling challenge too, then I wanted to be involved even more. It is a special way to see a country and being uncomfortable – which we will be, considering the temperature and altitude and steepness of the unsealed roads we’ll be cycling on – makes the challenge greater and hopefully people will dig a little deeper when sponsoring us for this important cause.

Katie Major – Danish Crown:Why do you think it’s important to support female farmers in eastern Africa?From understanding the statistics around female labour on Eastern African farms and the challenges these women have to face, I see it as a privilege being able to support and fundraise to help this community develop, grow and expand their knowledge and expertise to become female leaders in their own right.

What are you most looking forward to on the GROW for Good challenge?Being able to connect with the Embu community, and really get to know them and their challenges. Discussing and hopefully finding solutions to their difficulties from the vast skill set of people that will be taking part in the challenge. As well as the 75km cycle!

The full list of participants is as follows:Minette Batters – Farm Africa ambassador and former NFU presidentFrances Bryan – Finsbury FoodsAnne-Marie Cannon – RH AmarMia Elizabeth Hartwell – HubbubJane Lockwood – DaemonKatie Major – Danish CrownCaroline Mason – Consultancy businessMarnie Millard – NEDHelen Newbrook – SavillsKate Taylor – ABPDonations to the cause can be made through the Farm Africa online fundraising page.​