In the Eminence Organic Skin Care, we are bursting with gratitude for all that nature gives us. From fruits and seeds to herbs and flowers, so many plants play an essential role in our health, nutrition and, of course, skin care. We have powerful botanicals in every product, so we’ve seen the power of organic firsthand. With that in mind, we think it’s only right to give back to the land that gives us so much. That’s why Eminence Organics created Forests for the Future™ in 2013.
Through this initiative, we plant a tree for every product sold. We also train farmers and support environmental restoration projects in the rural communities where trees are planted. All of this is made possible by our generous partner, Trees for the futurean incredible non-profit organization that improves the livelihoods of poor farmers by training them in agroforestry and sustainable land use, while helping to organize the practical work to make our dreams a reality.
Let’s meet David Abacha Kenyan farmer who spoke about the numerous benefits his farm has seen since joining this program and take a deeper look at the real impact Eminence Organics and Trees for the Future is having.
David’s story
When David joined Trees for the Future he supported Eminence Forest Garden Educational Program in 2020, he identified that about half a hectare of his farm could be converted into Forest Garden.
For the past decade, Trees for the Future has championed the Forest Garden approach. This method uses regenerative farming principles to simulate a natural forest ecosystem within existing farmland. Forest gardens consist of a variety of trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables and herbs strategically placed to give each plant the support it needs to sustain itself while replenishing the land with essential vitamins and minerals.
Through the training provided by the program, David quickly began to learn about sustainable and regenerative agroforestry techniques that could directly benefit his land.
A Better Farm
Farms incorporating forest gardens produce a wide variety of healthy, wholesome crops, giving farmers access to nutritious food. This increases biodiversity and farmers’ income, while restoring their land and sequestering atmospheric carbon. Speaking about biodiversity, David says:[My farm] it’s better today. I used to plant only corn and beans. But because of Trees for the Future, I have Cajanus trees and vegetables to find food.”
David applies a range of regenerative agroforestry techniques to his Forest Garden. One such technique is called alley cropping. This method uses rows of trees or shrubs to create alleys that provide the structure needed to grow multiple crops in a limited space. As mentioned, David uses Cajanus (pigeon peas) in his crop to help increase vital nutrients in his soil. This serves as a living fence around the perimeter of the Forest Garden, which not only enriches the soil but also provides fodder and acts as a windbreak. “Without the trees… the very strong wind can blow the crops down,” damaging David’s crops and negatively affecting his quality of life.
Thousands of trees
In just three years, David has gone from 12 trees on this section of his land to more than 3,300. Although still growing and maturing, these trees are already creating a beneficial microclimate on his farm.
These trees helped David combat an issue that previously left his crops vulnerable: Kenya’s climate. “During the dry season, there is [a different] climate within it [Forest] Garden,” David explains. While the arid environment can wreak havoc on crops, the presence of trees “helps crops not dry out as much, as opposed to when they’re just bare.”
Participation in the carbon market
Through his participation in the Trees for the Future program, David also gained the ability to tap into the booming carbon market. A carbon market refers to a system of buying and selling “carbon credits”, which allow organizations to buy an environmental project. This raises much-needed capital while allowing companies to offset their greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the impact of carbon dioxide on our atmosphere. The trees on David’s farm will allow him to earn an additional income through carbon credit sales, as Trees for the Future Forest Garden farmers in Kenya can participate in the carbon market.
Better ground
Outside of his Forest Garden, David continued to grow corn and beans using traditional methods. The difference between what grows inside the Forest Garden and outside it is stark.
“There is a big difference in soil quality,” he shares. “If you compare where vegetables are grown alongside Cajanus and where there is corn [without Cajanus], you find that the maize is yellow. It shows that there is a nutrient deficiency — unlike where I use compost. I see that Forest Garden is better.’ Cajanus trees help enrich David’s land with nitrogen, producing hearty, robust crops that he can sell or use to support his family.
A promising future
From food production to climate change mitigation, David is using his Forest Garden, created through these initiatives, to build a better life for himself and his household of 13.
“Before, I had to take money out of my pocket to buy vegetables. Now, because I get vegetables from my Forest Garden, what I would use to buy vegetables, I can use to buy fish and meat and school supplies for my children.”
Since joining the Trees for the Future Forest Garden Training Program, which is funded in part by Eminence Organic Skin Care, David has been able to access the training and resources that have made this all possible. We are thrilled to have played a part in providing David with a steady source of food and income to help him create a better life.
Read more about David’s story here.
