Among 469 smallholder farms assessed across five agroecological zones in Rwanda, more than 90 percent recorded relatively low levels of agroecological integration. Using FAO’s Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE), the study examines how different transition profiles relate to productivity, income, food security, social inclusion, soil health and biodiversity. The analysis identifies five farm profiles, ranging from socially advanced microfarms to highly vulnerable conventional systems, highlighting the ecological, social and institutional constraints shaping agroecological transition. Higher levels of agroecological integration were associated with stronger outcomes across several sustainability dimensions. More agroecological farms tended to show greater food security, improved soil health and agrobiodiversity, stronger land tenure and empowerment indicators, and lower dependence on purchased seeds and other external inputs. Diversification, recycling and social values emerged as important factors linked to multiple outcomes. However, farm size and access to resources also influenced results, particularly income and market participation, and the study does not interpret these associations as evidence of simple causal relationships. Drawing on the identified constraints, the authors propose seven areas for investment: ecological intensification, organic fertilizers and bioinputs, farmer-managed seed systems, livestock integration, knowledge co-creation, youth and gender inclusion, and participatory governance. The framework is intended to help translate...

Tilia Tea Company has been using vacant land in Barre for “microfarms.” But one farm on city property has garnered local detractors.

YouTube video by VTDigger

Discover what a micro-farm is and how leading hotels are using indoor hydroponic growing systems to serve fresher food, wow guests, and hit ESG targets, all without a greenhouse.

Jamiah Hargins is the Founder and Executive Director of Crop Swap LA, where he is leading a movement to reframe access to healthy, nutritious food as a birthright, and not exclusive to those with the privilege to afford it. Crop Swap LA is making this vision a reality by transforming unused urban spaces into thriving nutrient-rich microfarms across the Los Angeles area that grow fresh produce, create local jobs, conserve water, and promote equitable access through food distribution programs. In doing so, they are addressing climate change by emphasizing local food production and consumption, reducing reliance on water, and disrupting carbon-intensive global supply chains. Currently, Crop Swap LA is making a huge impact by embodying the concept of ‘thinking globally, acting locally,’ and living out those values. The majority of staff are hired locally, microfarms are placed within the communities they serve, and produce is being distributed to dozens of nearby families each week. More on Crop Swap LA: https://www.cropswapla.org/ *** Want to discover your role in stopping the climate crisis? Drawdown's Neighborhood, presented by Project Drawdown, is a series of short documentaries featuring the stories of climate solutions heroes, city by city. Join host and Project Drawdown storyteller Matt Scott on a journey to "pass the mic" to climate heroes whose stories often go unheard and elevate climate action. Drawdown's Neighborhood showcases the diverse community of leaders working to advance climate solutions. This edition takes place in the Los Angeles area, known as the entertainment capital of the world and home to Hollywood, it is a vibrant hub for arts and culture. But LA is also home to a rich and diverse natural ecosystem. Its varied landscapes include mountains, wetlands, beaches, deserts, and more, supporting a wide range of plant and animal life. As one of the largest urban regions in the United States, the greater Los Angeles area has a population of over 18 million people. It is also one of the most racially and culturally diverse cities in the nation. The combination of creative energy, ecological richness, and community power makes LA’s growing leadership on climate solutions especially impactful. The Los Angeles Area is a model for how cities, residents, organizations, and businesses can work together to respond to the intensifying impacts of climate change on the region, including wildfire, heat waves, flooding, rising sea levels, mudslides, and poor air quality. The land known as Los Angeles is the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Native homelands of the Tongva People. Drawdown's Neighborhood: Los Angeles features the stories of seven change-makers who demonstrate resilience, and are building momentum to stop climate change and create a healthier, more just future for all. Watch and share this short documentary series, created by the Drawdown Stories team in collaboration with adventure filmmaker Erik Douds. Interested in leveling up your climate journey? We encourage you to discover solutions and characteristics of your climate story using the discussion questions and resources accompanying each film, developed in collaboration with Jothsna Harris of Change Narrative. Project Drawdown is the world's leading resource for climate solutions. To learn more, please visit www.drawdown.org. Twitter: www.twitter.com/projectdrawdown Instagram: www.instagram.com/projectdrawdown Facebook: www.facebook.com.com/projectdrawdown Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/projectdrawdown LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/project-drawdown #climatesolutions #climatejustice #climateaction #climatechange #passthemic #DrawdownsNeighborhood

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Water & Food On-Site Your home must feed you. Not just power you. Water doesn’t come out of the tap unless systems hold. Food doesn’t appear in fridges unless trucks arrive. And when the climate bre...

Trump's deregulation agenda and the case for reclaiming local, sustainable farming

Jean-Martin Fortier: [00:00:00] I’ve been living in rural Quebec for a long time. I’ve always thought that urban farms, they’re great because they allow a lot of people to get, to raise awareness about local food systems. I think if...