Introduction

The month of June marked another productive period for the Feathers of Hope (FOH) Model  Farm Project as ClimateCare CBO continued implementing climate-smart agricultural practices  aimed at improving food security, building community resilience, and creating sustainable  livelihood opportunities within the Kinango community. During the month, significant progress  was achieved in crop production, tree nursery establishment, and the revival of the poultry  production component. These activities continue to strengthen the model farm’s role as a practical  learning and demonstration centre for farmers, youth, women, and other community members  interested in climate-smart agriculture.

1. Crop Production

Crop production continued to perform well throughout June, with encouraging progress recorded  across different sections of the farm. Harvesting of mature okra and capsicum continued  consistently, providing fresh produce while also allowing continuous monitoring of crop  performance under the farm’s climate-smart production system. The quality of the harvested  produce remained good, demonstrating the effectiveness of proper field management, irrigation  scheduling, and regular crop maintenance.

The Sukuma Wiki (kale) crop continued showing healthy growth with good vegetative development. To ensure continuous production and maintain a reliable supply of vegetables, a new nursery was established for Sukuma Wiki seedlings. The nursery will support future transplanting activities while guaranteeing a steady production
cycle throughout the coming months.

The farm also expanded its vegetable production  

by planting a new outdoor tomato plot. This initiative seeks to diversify crop production, improve  food availability, and increase potential farm income while demonstrating appropriate tomato production techniques suitable for local climatic conditions.

Additional seed beds were prepared and planted with a new batch of okra to ensure uninterrupted  production after the current crop completes its harvesting cycle.

Furthermore, new spinach was planted to increase crop diversity and improve nutritional value  within the demonstration farm.

Overall, the crop enterprise continues to demonstrate the benefits of climate-smart farming  through proper nursery management, crop rotation, continuous production planning, and efficient  utilization of available farm resources.

2. Tree Nursery Development

In line with ClimateCare CBO’s environmental conservation objectives, a new tree nursery was  established during the month. The nursery has been strategically prepared to support future tree  planting activities within the community while promoting environmental restoration, climate  resilience, and sustainable land management practices.

The establishment of the nursery represents an important milestone as the organization prepares  to increase community access to quality tree seedlings for agroforestry, homestead greening, and  environmental conservation initiatives. Once fully developed, the nursery will also serve as a demonstration and training facility for farmers interested in tree propagation and nursery management.

3. Poultry Production

The poultry component of the Feathers of Hope Project resumed successfully during June after previous production interruptions. A major milestone was achieved through the incubation of 500 fertile eggs, demonstrating the project’s commitment to rebuilding and expanding poultry production

By the end of the reporting period, hatching had commenced successfully, resulting in approximately 150 healthy chicks. The newly hatched chicks are currently under intensive brooding management where they are receiving appropriate warmth, nutrition, clean water, vaccination schedules, and close monitoring to ensure healthy growth and high survival rates.

The resumption of poultry production marks an important step toward restoring the farm’s breeding programme and increasing future availability of improved chicks for farmers within the Kinango community. As the chicks continue to grow, they will contribute to strengthening the sustainability of the FOH Model Farm while supporting future farmer training, multiplication of improved breeds, and income generation.

4. Community Impact

The ongoing activities continue to strengthen the Feathers of Hope Model Farm as a practical climate-smart agriculture demonstration centre for the Kinango community. The establishment of new nurseries, expansion of vegetable production, continued harvesting, and revival of poultry production provide practical learning opportunities for youth, women, and local farmers.

These interventions contribute directly to improved food security, environmental conservation, climate resilience, nutrition, and sustainable income generation while reinforcing ClimateCare CBO’s vision of empowering communities through practical, affordable, and replicable agricultural technologies.

Way Forward

During the coming month, ClimateCare CBO will continue managing the newly established crop nurseries while transplanting seedlings to the main production fields as they reach suitable growth stages. Routine harvesting of mature vegetables will continue alongside proper maintenance of the outdoor tomato and spinach plots.

The tree nursery will continue to be expanded through seedling management and preparation for future community tree distribution activities. Within the poultry section, priority will be given to successful brooding of the newly hatched chicks, completion of the hatching process for the remaining incubated eggs, and strengthening poultry management practices to ensure high survival and productivity.

ClimateCare CBO remains committed to strengthening the Feathers of Hope Model Farm as a centre of excellence for climate-smart agriculture, sustainable food production, environmental conservation, and community empowerment in Kinango.

Prepared By Constatine Charo Tsuma
FOH Project Manager