Scaling Up Women-Led Sustainable Agriculture Through Collaboration Among Women-Led Faith Networks & Resources

The Women, Faith, and Climate Network launched the first of a three-part workshop series with an inspiring virtual session titled "Scaling Up Women-Led Sustainable Agriculture Through Collaboration Among Women-Led Faith Networks." The event brought together women of faith from around the world to exchange practical experiences and deepen collaboration in addressing climate change through sustainable agriculture.

A total of 184 participants registered for the session, reflecting strong interest in faith-based, women-led climate action. The workshop featured contributions from Fariah Laikipian (Uzury Empowerment Network), Najat Mohamed (Global One), Sr. Maamalifar Poreku and Sr. Josephine Kwenga (International Union of Superiors General - UISG), and Margaret Ahona (Organization of African Instituted Churches).

These women of faith shared local knowledge, good practices, and grassroots efforts to address environmental challenges through sustainable, community-based agriculture. The primary goal of the session was to encourage replication and scaling of successful approaches through increased collaboration among women-led faith networks.

Key Takeaways:

• Farming is Holistic and Spiritual: Women of faith view agriculture as a practice that nurtures body, mind, and spirit - “Agriculture is life.”

• Integrated Approaches Matter: There’s no single solution: mulching, permaculture, seed saving, and nutrition-centered methods all work better when combined.

• Collaboration Is Key: Interfaith and inter-congregational models (like UISG’s consortium and Eco Sikh’s tree planting) show how scaling is possible through partnerships.

• Knowledge Sharing Is Vital: Digital platforms, demonstration farms, and farmer-to-farmer training help spread good practices faster and further.

• Faith and Leadership Drive Action: Spiritual tools like the Islamic Farming Toolkit and organic farming programs deepen both engagement and impact.

• Concrete Next Steps: Proposed in-person gathering in Nairobi, scaling training for women farmers, and tapping into new funding opportunities.

• A Network is Forming: Participants left inspired, energized, and ready to support one another across faiths, borders, and communities.

Workshop Resources:

• Full Recording: https://youtu.be/p7V5rCvgKKM (and above)

• Presentations and resources:

  • Najat Mohamed 

    • Islamic Farming: A Toolkit for Conservation Agriculture

  • Lenah Mwangi 

  • Sr. Maamalifar Poreku and Sr. Josephine Kwenga

    
    

• Speaker Interventions (Pre-Recorded): 

  • Margaret Ahona: https://youtu.be/iz1b-s5g2ss

  • Najat Mohamed: https://youtu.be/FjpM6PikhNQ

  • Sr. Josephine Kwenga: https://youtu.be/CQ0-JVmcFqA