October 13–17, 2025 – Kisumu, Kenya

In mid-October 2025, Kisumu, Kenya became a vibrant hub of agroecological innovation and collaboration. Hosted by the Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems (CRFS) and funded by the McKnight Foundation, the Community of Practice (CoP) gathering brought together farmers, researchers, policymakers, and civil society actors from across the globe.

Their collective mission was clear to reflect, learn, and co-create pathways for transforming agrifood systems through agroecology.

A Multi-Level Approach to Agroecological Transformation

The gathering emphasized that transformation must occur at multiple levels, not just on farms but across systems that sustain them. Participants examined four key levels of change; individual, farm, landscape, and regional recognizing how each connects to the other.

At the individual level, transformation begins with the farmer: building knowledge, agency, and confidence to adopt ecological practices. At the farm level, it involves rethinking production through diversity, composting, and sustainable cropping systems. Moving outward to the landscape level, communities collaborate to restore degraded areas, manage water and soil collectively, and regenerate shared resources. Finally, at the regional level, participants discussed the importance of policies, institutions, and cross-country collaboration that support agroecological transitions.

“Agroecology isn’t just about farming—it’s about transforming relationships between people, land, and knowledge.”
— CoP Participant

Field Visits: Agroecology in Action

Theory met reality during field visits around Kisumu, where participants witnessed agroecology in motion. In these communities, transformation was not an abstract idea but a lived experience.

Farmer Research Networks demonstrated innovative composting methods and pest management techniques. Local gardens highlighted the richness of indigenous crops, showing how biodiversity can strengthen both nutrition and resilience. Community-led composting initiatives illustrated circular economies in action where waste becomes nourishment for the next season’s harvest. Youth-led projects on soil health and organic farming inspired many, showcasing how the next generation is embracing sustainability with creativity and passion.

“Seeing compost turn into fertile soil was like watching hope grow from the ground.”
— Field Visit Reflection

Knowledge Fair: A Marketplace of Ideas

One of the most vibrant moments of the Kisumu gathering was the Knowledge Fair, a space where ancestral wisdom met digital innovation. The fair pulsed with activity as participants exchanged ideas, displayed research, and shared creative tools for change.

Stalls featured participatory research methods, policy briefs, and agroecology strategies from across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Malawi. Posters and flipcharts displayed data on soil health, seed systems, and landscape restoration, while short films captured real-world lessons from field projects. The fair served as a reminder that agroecology thrives not only in the soil but also in the exchange of knowledge between communities and generations.

“The fair was a marketplace of ideas where ancestral wisdom met digital innovation.”

Thematic Hotspots: Deep Dives into Key Issues

Throughout the week, participants gathered in focused “hotspot” sessions to explore critical themes shaping the future of agroecology.

Knowledge Co-Creation and Co-learning was an exciting moment which emerged through the active exchange of experiences, perspectives, and reflections. It moved beyond sharing information toward collaboratively generating new insights that are meaningful to the community’s context. This collective process not only deepened understanding but also reinforced a shared sense of purpose and learning, positioning knowledge as something constructed together rather than transferred from one to another.

Soil health emerged as a cornerstone of transformation. Discussions centered on innovative techniques such as biochar, vermicomposting, and organic amendments all aimed at restoring degraded soils and improving fertility.

Farmer Research Networks were another focus, with emphasis on strengthening farmer leadership in research design and dissemination. The sessions highlighted how co-creation and experimentation empower communities to generate and own their knowledge.

Agrobiodiversity sessions celebrated the revival of forgotten indigenous crops and the establishment of community seed banks to protect genetic diversity. Participants emphasized that seeds are more than tools for production , they are carriers of culture, identity, and resilience.

Reflections and Future Directions

As the gathering drew to a close, a reflection circle allowed participants to pause, share insights, and envision the road ahead. Many left with renewed energy and concrete commitments: to scale agroecological hubs, deepen farmer-led research, collaborate across regions, and influence policy through both evidence and storytelling.

The final discussions highlighted a shared understanding that building resilient food systems requires more than innovation; it demands solidarity, trust, and long-term cooperation rooted in community.

“We leave Kisumu not just with ideas but with shared commitments to act.” A Movement Takes Root

A Movement Takes Root

As the sun set over Lake Victoria, the Community of Practice dispersed — not as isolated individuals, but as members of a growing movement. What began as a meeting had become a network of people united by a common purpose: to sow seeds of change, nurture agroecological futures, and transform food systems from the ground up.

✊ Join the Movement

Are you passionate about agroecology, farmer-led research, or food systems transformation? You can play a part in growing this movement.

Share this story within your network to amplify the message. Subscribe for updates from the CRFS Community of Practice to stay informed. Partner with local agroecology initiatives in your region or reach out directly to explore collaboration opportunities.

Together, we can cultivate resilient, just, and sustainable food systems — rooted in community, care, and shared purpose.