"I have learned a lot about the advantages of regenerative
farming, installing drip irrigation systems, cover crops and about post harvesting and marketing.“
and start small
Our story
At the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, KSFI founders Liza Lightfoot, Mpumelelo Ncwadi and Asanda Apleni, saw an opportunity to train Eastern Cape youth in agroecological ways to farm and deliver food security to those who need it most: rural households.
KSFI’s 23 hectare demonstration farm is the training and research hub of all we teach and mentor. We trial various systems of farming to home in the best practices in crop farming, livestock, piggery, chicken farming, and beekeeping while meeting the South African Organic Standards for Agroecology. We are a certified organic farm.
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Call Us 24/7 (+27) 72 917 6258
Our challenges
are real.
Youth Unemployment
The Eastern Cape has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 72%, which contributes to widespread poverty. Youth unemployment is at an all time high of 62%
Food Security
Food security in South Africa remains a challenge, with just 30 000 commercial farmers responsible for most of the country’s food production. In 2024 UNICEF reported that 23% of South African children suffer from hunger.
Soil Degradation
With decreasing water availability due to drought and a history of unsustainable agriculture, South Africa’s land is becoming less fertile and harder to farm. This is only exacerbated by climate change.
Nurturing big dreams
KSFI was founded to chart a new course: to provide aspiring farmers with the knowledge, skills, resources and techniques they need to start their own organic and climate-smart agrifood businesses.
Why agroecological farming is the answer:
- Improves soil health.
- Requires no expensive fertilizer and uses mainly small scale machinery
- Generates high-value, healthy organic produce.
- Fosters biodiversity.
- Promotes local economic resilience in farming communities.
Agroecology Training
We offer two courses that equip youth and communities to start, manage and grow their small agricultural enterprises
The Youth Exchange Program is a 3 week in house intensive training curriculum that covers the basics of setting up a small farm including soil preparation, composting, making bio fertilizers, crop planning, growing seedlings both as a business and for production, use of small tools and equipment, harvesting and basic business skills. Training is both in the classroom and in the field. Graduates who start their own farms are invited to sell their excess produce at our weekly markets. They receive regular on-site mentoring by KSFI staff. Currently we service weekly farmers markets at two locations every other week. We have a KSFI stand and a community produce stand. Community produce is inventoried each week and sales are reconciled to each farmer. Farmers are paid monthly for all sales generated from their produce.
This 3-week course is offered to beginning farmers who have demonstrated the ability to provide regular first and second grade products. The course covers different farming systems under the banner of agroecology such as agroforestry, permaculture and biodynamic farming, with the goal of giving students more ideas and systems to promote innovation. From there we train the students to scale up their projects with modules such as company registration, compliance, entering larger markets, professional leadership, and business development. Farmers receive professional mentorship and support on an as needed basis.
Smallholder farming uplifts rural communities
South Africa faces complex challenges with climate change, high youth unemployment and poverty, as well as pervasive food insecurity. These challenges are especially prevalent in the Eastern Cape, where we work. The Kidlinks Small Farm Incubator addresses these social and environmental challenges simultaneously. We believe in smallholder farming as the answer to uplift rural communities, showing youth and families that their dream of becoming profitable farmers and leaders is within reach.
Kanyisa introduces us to the work of KSFI
We train, nurture
and mentor
We train, nurture and mentor passionate youth and who have big dreams. KSFI was founded to chart a new course: to provide aspiring farmers with the knowledge, skills, resources and techniques they need to start their own organic and climate-smart agrifood businesses.
The resources and information KSFI offers, empower young farmers with confidence to farm with crops and livestock, prepare business plans, build mutually beneficial relationships, market their products and manage their businesses. In short, we teach these future farmers to think creatively and discover organic agriculture through learning by doing how to start and grow right-size profitable agribusinesses. Additionally, we set new agricultural entrepreneurs on sustainable and mission-driven paths that will ultimately protect the environment and improve the health and wellbeing of their own communities.
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Demonstrating a Gold Standard
Our 23-hectare demonstration farm offers the ideal location to convene learners, community members, and leaders. On our farm, we showcase agroecological principles in action. It is where we teach young farmers sustainable land management techniques through hands-on learning and realworld business. Our training model guides young farmers from the foundation of soil health, through efficient production of crops and livestock to packaging, marketing, recordkeeping, sales and financial management Our philosophy is to offer a hand up not a handout.
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Call Us 24/7 (+27) 72 917 6258
Our Mission
Our mission is to train and mentor South African Youth and rural communities to farm for abundance and prosperity through innovative climate adaptive practices.
Our commitment
Our principles
Your donation helps us do what we do.
KSFI is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) # 930074341 with the South African Revenue Service and have been granted Section 18A approval in terms of the Income Tax Act.
Enabling Young Farmers
By enabling young farmers and rural communities to use their land and adopt agroecological farming methods we aim to boost employment, enhance food security and to combat climate change.
We value the basic things we all need to live well:
- Improves soil health.
- Requires no expensive fertilizer and uses only small scale machinery
- Generates high-value, healthy organic produce.
- Fosters biodiversity.
- Promotes local economic resilience in farming communities.
Our Partners
We would not be where we are today without the support of our partners
