Co-written by Brooke Edwards and Maegan Clark
Since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated every year on April 22. Here at Heifer, we believe every day is Earth Day, because our mission is to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth.
In our projects we teach farmers around the world how to farm in environmentally friendly ways, including organic and agroecological farming methods. We also introduce appropriate technology, such as biogas, which saves forests from being harvested for firewood and creates fewer greenhouse gasses. In everything, we make a healthier planet our goal.
We also believe in teaching about sustainable agriculture. We take a holistic approach in helping farmers manage pests organically, conserve water and build healthy soil.
In a previous post this week from Nourish, you heard Michael Pollan describe why using compost can help replenish the soil for new growth. Now, take a look at how, after Hurricane Stan washed away plants from a project in Guatemala, farmers were able to rebuild their soil in a sustainable way using their gifts of livestock from Heifer.
“Everything about our work to end hunger and poverty is founded upon getting the very best the Earth has to offer—eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, animal-sourced foods,” said Pierre Ferrari, Heifer’s CEO. We must do this with the least possible impact on our planet.
How will you be celebrating Earth Day this year?
If you’re in Central Arkansas, Heifer International will have a booth at the Arkansas Earth Day Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 23, at the North Shore Riverwalk in North Little Rock. If you’re in Massachusetts, head on out to Overlook Farm for an Earth Day Open House.
We’ll also host a series of posts here looking at how Heifer is already working to fulfill Nourishing the Planet’s 15 Solutions to Promoting a Healthier Environment and a More Food-Secure Future.