In the highlands of Guatemala, farmers are facing the harsh realities of climate change, soil erosion, and declining harvests. But in communities like Samilha Il and Jolomijixito III, a quiet transformation is taking place—led by farmers committed to restoring both their land and their future.

In Guatemala, agriculture is a vital part of daily life, employing 27% of the population—more than 4.8 million people. Most farms are operated by smallholder farmers working on limited plots of land, and with scarce resources, 75% of their families live below the poverty line. That’s why World Renew works alongside local communities to introduce sustainable farming techniques—helping farmers improve productivity, grow healthier crops, and protect their soil for future harvests.

In Samilha Il, 79-year-old Roberto is known for his deep faith and his tireless work on behalf of younger generations. A migrant to the village, Roberto has built a new life and embraced sustainable farming with remarkable energy.

“Because of my age,” Roberto laughs, “many think I can no longer learn and work on my land, but I feel so motivated that I ask God to give me a few more years of life to continue. I want to be an example.”

With support from World Renew, Roberto and others learned new farming techniques—like using loop hoes, jab planters, and green manure—to improve soil health and crop yields. The result is more food on the table, better nutrition, and growing confidence in their farming abilities.

“There is a man named Roberto who prays for you all,” he says, expressing heartfelt gratitude to those who make the work possible.

In Jolomijixito III, 50-year-old Zacarías has experienced a similar shift. Raised in a farming family that passed down traditional methods, Zacarías thought he was teaching his children the best way to work the land—until he attended a meeting led by World Renew’s local partner, ADIP.

“I thought that what I was teaching my children was the best until I attended one of the meetings that the ADIP association promotes in the community,” he says. “I was very surprised as many of the topics (specifically soil conservation) were new to me.”

Motivated by what he learned, Zacarías began implementing new techniques: planting Chaya plants as living barriers, adding fruit trees, and caring for the soil more intentionally.

“I am proud of my plot because it reflects our efforts before the eyes of neighbors and people who travel from one place to another,” he shares. “To the people who ask me about my plot I share my experience about soil conservation and how I thought I was no longer going to learn new things.”

Zacarías now sees his land as a legacy. “I’m now forced to improve my land management and do it in a sustainable way because my children have grown up and they someday will own this land.”

And, like Roberto, his gratitude runs deep. “I am very grateful to. . . ADIP and the people who support them, because even without knowing us they promote such valuable training and that makes us grow and improve our daily activities.”

These stories are part of a growing movement—one that’s transforming lives in rural Guatemala and communities around the world. Over the past decade, World Renew has equipped 509,000 people with the tools and training to grow more food, nourish their families, and farm sustainably for lasting change.

Today, you can help farmers like Roberto and Zacarías grow a better future.

Browse the “Growing Food” section of our Gift Catalog to give tools, seeds, and training that replace hunger with hope—one farm, one family, one future at a time.