Ask the Experts: Gardening and Sustainability

We need creative solutions to the persistent hunger so many people face. Recently, two of our Unto^® Agriculture Specialists sat down to discuss how gardening training can provide sustainable solutions to the food crises so many face, while also creating opportunities for unreached people to hear about Jesus.  

Unto: Why is agriculture training part of Unto’s food program?

Ag team: Have you heard the “give a man a fish” analogy? Sometimes giving a man a fish when he is hungry is the right thing to do. Unto’s Food and Agriculture program aims to serve people experiencing food insecurity with immediate aid — but we also help communities develop the means to produce food sustainably. There are times to give a man a fish, and also times to teach him to fish that he might eat for a lifetime! Through our Agriculture Training, we aim to create sustainable ministry projects where we train farmers from all levels by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to face their unique challenges in farming. 

Unto: How does agriculture training help communities facing hunger?

Ag team: A community can face many barriers to growing enough food. These include climate issues, appropriate technology, and lack of knowledge or resources. Sometimes past experiences and challenges can also discourage people from farming. We come alongside communities facing food insecurity and help them overcome obstacles. Through agriculture workshops, we help them discover new practices, technology, and gardening knowledge — transforming food insecurity into abundance!

For example, Christopher, a farmer in rural Tanzania, was struggling to provide enough food for his family. After our agriculture workshop, he was able to establish a tomato garden that provided food year-round, and also produced an abundance to sell at market. This allowed him to meet his family’s other basic needs, including putting a new roof on their house. 

Unto: How much food can a small garden really grow?

Ag team: In our workshops, we build a garden that is three meters by eight meters (10 feet by 26 feet), which is a pretty small size. We give each family an irrigation system for their new garden. Each kit can sustain 100 plants year-round. With proper planning, one garden can produce enough vegetables for a family of five. If a family has more space, we encourage them to multiply their garden space and irrigation, investing in more production as they see the system work. 

Unto: How does gardening help create opportunities for sharing the message of Jesus in the communities you serve?

Ag team: Jesus used agriculture and gardening metaphors throughout His ministry to share truths about God’s kingdom with us. From imagery to parables, agriculture is a deep part of God’s heart for us. We get the opportunity to share these teachings with the communities we serve.

As we care for a community’s physical needs, we create opportunities for our local teams to use the same parables and lead devotionals that share the message of Jesus throughout the workshop days. Our classes are made up of a wide variety of people from each community, which gives natural opportunities for our staff to build trust and develop friendships. 

Many times, people are left pondering, “Why are you here? Why do you care to serve us?” This also leads to opportunities to share about eternal hope as our local partners and staff continue to follow up with those who attended a workshop. 

Unto: What advice would you give someone wanting to start their own home garden?

Ag team: Taking care of creation was the first assignment given to all of us by God. As we take our first steps to grow, care, and steward our gardens, we partake in the love God has for all He created. It might be as little as a flower pot by your window or a raised bed in the backyard with seedlings embracing the sun. There is always a good lesson for us in the success or the challenges of gardening. It is worth the hard work you put in it — once you get a taste of your harvest or you get to share it with loved ones.