Restoring Land, Restoring Hope: Conservation Agriculture in Kenya

For International Development Week 2026, The United Church of Canada is highlighting global partners contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through faith-rooted leadership and justice.

In Kenya, the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) is strengthening food security for thousands of households through conservation agriculture.

One farmer, Silas Rugia, shares that learning climate-resilient practices restored his land and helped his family become food secure. By integrating mulching, agroforestry, and animal husbandry, Silas and other farmers are rebuilding livelihoods rooted in care for creation. Watch the video linked above to hear Silas’s own words.

NCCK’s work—in partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, a collaborative network of ecumenical churches, and The United Church of Canada—reflects a shared commitment to food sovereignty and dignity.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” 
(Matthew 6:11)

Connections for Communities of Faith

• Give: Donate to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (United Church of Canada account), helping projects like this continue their life-giving work. Many United Church people and congregations contribute to CFGB by supporting growing projects in their local areas.
• Advocate: Write your MP urging Canada to meet its Overseas Development Assistance obligations.
  • Sign up for Hunger on the Hill, a four-day advocacy experience in Ottawa, meeting with representatives to advocate for addressing global hunger and climate change. Registration occurs in August here.
• Encourage your communities to reduce air travel use, and when they do travel, to offset their travel by supporting Kenyan communities.
• Share a prayer for A Meal Time Blessing.
• Follow United Action for Justice on Facebook and Instagram, as well as United Church News and the Round the Table blog for more information on how your community of faith can get involved.
• The United Church of Canada and CFGB offer resources in the form of games and activities to help congregations, youth groups, and young adults engage with global hunger and food security issues.
  • The Cycle of Hunger: Explore the interconnected causes of hunger through an interactive board game!
  • Forced to Flee: Understand the impacts of conflict and displacement on food insecurity through an in-person activity (or an online version).
  • Right to Food: Advocate for food as a fundamental human right in this activity.
  • A Banquet for All: A resource for younger children to foster empathy and awareness.
  • Discover these resources and more at Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
• Explore reflection questions crafted for your community of faith’s small groups, youth groups, or Sunday schools in the downloadable document below.

The views contained within these blogs are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of The United Church of Canada.