Angela Herrera is a single mother, working hard to take care of her son in the mountain community of Soledad. Due to climate change and the inconsistent rainy seasons, her community is prone to landslides, which takes a toll on the farmers, such as herself.

Thanks to CEPAD’s organic farming program, Angela is now learning new techniques to care for the earth and to strengthen her farmland.

I had never seen an organization that supports small farmers like CEPAD does. They provide workshops, seeds for new crops, and farming packages to help us maintain our land. I’ve learned how to make organic fertilizers, compost, and insecticides. We’ve learned how to make water capturing systems, diversify our crops, and identify the nutrients of all the new foods we are eating. All of this knowledge was new to me!

While it’s difficult being a single mother in a rural area, Angela’s son often helps her on the farm. Angela hopes he will continue in her footsteps of farming organically.

I work hand in hand with my son, teaching him as we go, so that in the future, he can continue farming while taking care of the environment. Before, we would go out and buy chemical products, but not anymore. I have organic things I can use within reach and at no cost to me. We want to take care of Mother Nature. 

Angela and her community understand the importance of caring for the environment as they are experiencing the harsh realities of climate change. While it will always be a challenge, they hope that the new techniques they’ve learned will help ease the difficulty and pave the way for a different future for their children.

To support small farmers in Nicaragua, join CEPAD here.