Seeds of Change Nepal

Who are The Glacier Trust?

The Glacier Trust is a UK based charity that works in partnership with Nepali NGOs to enable climate change adaptation in the Himalayas. The Glacier Trust works exclusively in Nepal. In partnership with trusted local NGOs, EcoHimal Nepal and HICODEF, we enable climate change adaptation for hill and mountain communities across the country.

We use innovative, tried and tested agricultural methods to enable farmers to grow sustainable incomes for themselves, lifting themselves out of poverty, while at the same time changing the way farming is done – we teach, train, support and take action to help farmers practice agriculture that both mitigates and adapts to climate change. Our mission is to support people and planet. 

We work with Nepali farmers in equal partnership. We empower and skill up so we can move onto the next village to replicate the model. There is one thing that keeps us going, even though times are hard for small charities – it works! We know what we do makes a tangible, lasting, sustainable difference to people and planet. We believe in it, and so do the farmers. 

**Above photo - farmers' group training 

Why we need your help?

Poor families from rural Nepal currently practice subsistence farming, using sometimes harmful agricultural techniques. They consume pesticide laden food, and barely earn enough to survive. They do not have access to government support and schemes due to being so remote, and are struggling to keep on farming with drastic climate change impacts, especially landslides. They have limited knowledge of climate change, limited access to markets in the towns, and are trying hard to cultivate with difficult sloping plots of land.

The Glacier Trust and EcoHimal provide these communities with:

• Training and knowledge on climate change
• Linking them up with local markets and buyers
• Capital and resources to begin farming at a commercial level
• Training in organic farming with certification
• Forming self-empowered farmers’ cooperative groups
• Establishing pilot nursery plots for training and seedling distribution 

We are currently working across 6 villages in Nepal; Halede, Bhatpole, Churithumka, Aapghari Pipalbot, Chanderi and Jyamdi. We are busy training, growing seedlings and trialling different farming methods with more than 95 farmers. These farmers cherish the sadly too infrequent visits from the EcoHimal team to monitor crops, suggest solutions and coordinate distribution of resources and market linkages. 

These 6 villages are in need of a dedicated, locally based nursery caretaker that can provide more frequent, reliable support and training. 

How will 6 local nursery caretakers help?

Having a dedicated caretaker will mean that farmers develop their confidence in organic farming more quickly, problems with crops will either be mitigated entirely or remedied which means a larger percentage of crop survival rates, and better quality produce. Training can be delivered more often, and village farmers will have better, faster access to the resources and links they need.

A nursery caretaker will:

• Organise effective agricultural training sessions
• Regularly visit and monitor each and every farm
• Provide expert solutions to crop problems
• Monitor the sole use of organic methods and work for certification
• Deliver seeds and seedlings to those in most need
• Keep accurate records to measure effectiveness
• Support with weeding and watering

 **Above photo - bio-bed preparation

What it costs:

One full-time nursery caretaker costs £750 a year, or £62 a month. This is a fair salary in Nepal. We need 6 caretakers, ideally for as long as possible, but 1 year will make a huge difference to the lives of these farmers and their families. 

£4500 will secure 6 caretakers for a year. Any surplus raised will simply extend the contracts of the caretakers, or enable them to work in new villages where we replicate the model.  

12 months of dedicated caretakers will make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of the farmers and their families. By the end of the period, more than 95 farmers will be well on their way to owning and managing successful commercial farms, with the skills and income they need to go it alone. 

Rewards – the different ways you can help

Crowdfunder UK encourage fundraisers to offer their supporters 'rewards' as a way to thank them for their pledges. We are not hugely comfortable with that framing, it is a bit too transactional. We also know that our supporters are happy to give without the expectation of a reward. With that said, here is an outline of ‘rewards’ that suggest how far various donation sizes can go:

 **Above photo - local community receiving their first seedlings

The Collective Give - £15

Be part of a collective of 50 people all contributing towards the annual salary for one nursery caretaker. Every bit helps and we are always better together!

The Healthy Crop - £30

Join forces with one other donor and provide one half of the monthly salary for a nursery caretaker.

The Monthly Crop - £62

Donate enough to cover an entire month’s salary for one caretaker.

The Golden Yield - £248

Donate enough to cover 4 months salary for one nursery caretaker. 

The Full Bloom - £750

Pay an entire years’ salary for one nursery caretaker. Change the lives of over 16 farmers, their families and the life of the caretaker.