The project began in 2023 as a master’s graduate degree program project. It started on a plot of land measuring 60m x 30m. One of the objectives of pastures is to empower women in rural communities to become stakeholders in their communities and provide an enabling environment for innovation and creativity. The goal is to create a shift in the methods and processes used in securing food during peak lean seasons through gardening. It engaged 5 households of 6-9 members of women to participate. Each participant was allotted a plot to grow vegetables of their choice to supplement and enhance the quality anda quantity of their immediate household food consumption.
After a year of operation, participants reported that the presence and access to a garden have positively and tremendously improved their daily meals. They mentioned that securing fresh vegetables during the dry season was scarce and very expensive when available; this challenge has been reduced through the garden. Additionally, the economic contribution of home gardens allows the increase of a household’s purchasing power by freeing up money to be spent on food. Similarly, the sales from excess garden produce can be a source of additional income for the household. Furthermore, the project serves as a venue through which the community fosters unity and enables them to build stewardship of their natural resources.
The sight of a pawpaw tree heavy with ripe fruit in the Billow community during the peak of the dry season is rare. For generations, the dry season has meant scarcity—limited food choices, little dietary diversity, and almost no access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Meals during this period are often repetitive and nutrient-poor, shaped by a cycle that few households have been able to break. Today, that cycle is changing. Through the establishment of a community garden, 5 women and their households in Billow now tell a different story. They have reliable access to fresh vegetables and fruits throughout the year, enabling them to supplement daily meals with nutrient-rich foods—even during the harsh dry season. This shift is especially significant in a context where women traditionally lack access to land, water, and other productive resources needed to grow food. For many children in the community, tasting a pawpaw was once an unfamiliar experience—sometimes not until adulthood. Pastures Ground Foundation is closing this gap by empowering women to produce food year-round, directly improving household nutrition and resilience. Recognizing the foundational role nutrition plays in education, livelihoods, and long-term economic outcomes, Pastures Ground Foundation remains committed to delivering context-specific, community-led solutions that transform food systems and improve lives in rural communities.