15/05/2026
Today I visited a few Agri Evolve farms, where we got to see their shade tree initiatives. Agri Evolve cultivates over 130,000 native tree seedlings in their nurseries each year, providing them to farmers to create healthier growing conditions for coffee plants while also helping combat deforestation.
To support the long-term sustainability of coffee farming, Agri Evolve also provides SL14 and SL28 coffee seedlings to farmers, encouraging the replacement of older, lower-yielding trees with more productive and disease-resistant varieties, by building communal coffee nurseries.
One of the highlights was getting to meet a women’s cooperative as they collect their shade trees from the nursery. The women were beautifully dressed, and the energy was one of excitement and gratitude. They welcomed us with local song and dance to thank us for coming and buying their coffee. I had a serious lump in my throat the whole time, witnessing first hand how lives are being transformed with proper leadership and initiative.
It was the highlight of my time in Uganda 🇺🇬 and an event I will never forget. I have fallen deeply in love with this remote Mountain community, with their coffee, and with their hospitality and spirit. Against all the odds they are determined to move forward. To make lives better for their children and their community. Collectively. There is so so much we could learn from them.
I will have coffee for sale from Uganda 🇺🇬 and the communities in the Rwenzori mountains from September. It’s one I am super proud to feature.