Farming God's Way

by Stephan Lutz ~ March 2012

“I have a new understanding of the relationship between my faith and the land I farm.”

“My mind has been transformed by this training.”

These two comments were made by participants attending a three-day agriculture training that CRWRC and Care of Creation Kenya organized and facilitated last month. Forty-five participants from CRWRC, our partners, and other faith-based organizations from Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Kenya attended this training opportunity. It brought together agricultural development practitioners to learn more about a farming methodology called Farming God’s Way (FGW).

FGW is not necessarily an entirely new concept. The fundamental technological principles of conservation farming have been around for more than thirty years. They are 1) zero tillage or no-tillage, and 2) mulching or keeping the soil covered at all times. Zero tillage provides many benefits for rural farmers, including reduced labor costs and decreased soil erosion. FGW methodology teaches farmers to dig small holes for seeds which are then covered by using a soil and fertilizer layering system to promote growth. The mulching uses old crop residue to cover newly planted crops which in turn helps the soil retain valuable moisture and protects new seedlings from harsh weather. The mulch layer also helps control weeds.

However, the foundations of FGW practices are based upon biblical teachings that help farmers begin to view themselves in a positive way, as stewards of the land who can provide for their families and at the same time conserve the environment. Understanding the natural resources available and the connection of people to the earth is essential in FGW teaching and application. In the end, farmers learn that growing more food does not require depleting or damaging their surrounding natural resources, but instead uses them in a sustainable, productive way so that future generations equally benefit from the land.

CRWRC in Kenya has been promoting the FGW principles for two or three years, and there is a lot of potential for increasing agricultural productivity, decreasing the risk of crop loss, and transforming the individuals and communities we work in Kenya, the East Africa region, and other countries around the world.

Praises:

• Our Kenya partners commitment to improving the lives of people holistically
• Your ongoing support towards the ministry work of CRWRC and its partners in Kenya

 
Prayers:

• Ongoing divine protection for our staff and families
• Ongoing prayers for Kenya as we enter an election year and a lot of uncertainty

About Stephan Lutz

Stephan was born and grew up in Honduras where he attended an international school for elementary and high school. He later moved to Germany to continue his studies at the University of Kassel, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in “Tropical and Sub-Tropical Agriculture” and a Masters of Science Degree in “Ecological Agricultural/Third World Development”. Stephan has been living and working in Kenya for the last ten years as a CRWRC Program Consultant. He is involved with consulting for three local established church partners throughout Kenya, managing program/project grants and building capacity in the area of food security and community development through conservation agriculture and environmental restoration. His skills and passion are in community program/project design and management, organizational capacity building and networking/collaborating with others for results. He has volunteered or professionally worked in Honduras, the United States, Germany, and Mali before coming to Kenya.

Stephan is married to Alicia and they have two boys, ages 5 and 7.

Email: stephanlutz@crwrc.org