Cornerstone: Improving the Environment

Heifer's model of holistic development doesn't stop with ending hunger.

Heifer's work is focused on ending hunger, but we can't end hunger without also caring for the earth. Poor agriculture is often related to soil erosion. Lack of water is often related to deforestation. And global warming is already hurting the world's most poor and vulnerable through drought and changing ecosystems. If we are going to set families on a path of sustainable prosperity we must make sure that we work for a sustainable environment.

We've made the work of achieving environmental sustainability a part of everything we do at Heifer. We've built Heifer's headquarters to be a model sustainable building and we were honored with a Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating. In our projects we teach farmers around the world how to farm in environmentally friendly ways including organic farming methods. We also introduce appropriate technology such as biogas that saves forests from being harvested for firewood. In everything we make a healthier planet our goal.

Explore our work to care for the earth and end hunger, check out some of our fun, free learning resources and join us in bringing together healthy lives and a healthy planet.

Water Conservation

Clean water is a resource that many of us acquire without a second thought, but for people in many countires around the world, drought and lack of access to clean water provide daily challenges to life. Heifer works with communities around the world to help develop clean water infrastructure, giving girls the opportunity to go to school instead of spending their days gathering water and helping diminish waterborne illness. Our new infographic shows just how much water some everyday things use, and it might surprise you.

Biogas

Biogas is a key element in many Heifer projects. By using manure to make fuel, project participants are able to stop cutting forests for firewood. Watch the video to see how biogas works in action.

Sustainable Agriculture

At Heifer we call it "agroecology" which is just a fancy word for farming in balance with the environment. Watch this video to see the holistic approach Heifer takes in helping farmers manage pests organically, conserve water, and build healthy soil.

Urban Agriculture

With more and more of the world's populations moving to cities, urban agriculture is becoming an increasingly important part of our work. Watch this video to see how Heifer is using urban agriculture to provide good food to communities around the US and teaching children about good nutrition from the ground up.

Rebuilding Soil

Soil is the foundation of a healthy ecosystem and the key to good soil is organic matter. When Hurricane Stan washed away the organic matter from a Heifer project in Guatemala the farmers were devastated. But with the gift of livestock they were able to begin rebuilding their soil in a sustainable way. Watch this video to see their story.