More than half of the world’s tropical forests are gone, and we're losing the other half at the rate of one acre every second. As a result, many species of plants and animals are disappearing, along with carbon stores, which stabilize the climate.
Introducing Sustainable Harvest International
Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) is a nonprofit that has provided training and tools to rural farmers for more than 20 years, enabling them to improve their diet, income, and health, while also working against the effects of climate change and slash-and-burn farming tactics.
By teaching sustainable farming practices, SHI has helped over 3,000 families in Central America regenerate roughly 30,000 acres of previously degenerated land. Now, they're looking to expand the impact of their mission to reverse climate change and fight rural poverty.
The Community Challenge
HBS Online and SHI are challenging the Community to develop a business plan that enables SHI to scale their impact by creating ventures that offset financial costs and increase farmers’ benefits.
Chapters are encouraged to either come up with their own business plan, or use one of the following ideas as a starting point:
Marketing and selling products, such as coffee, plantain chips, and honey, from SHI farms
Selling appropriate services, tools, or equipment to farmers in the program
Identifying larger institutions in your area that would be interested in providing agricultural production training to smallholder farmers using SHI’s model
Solutions must support ecological-based farms in rural communities while considering affordability, organic integrity, and limitations on mechanized farming.
Do you want to help SHI scale their mission? If you haven't already joined one of the 33 Community Chapters, sign up for the Chapter closest to you. Next, contact your Community Organizer and let them know you want to be involved.
Looking to build your network? Join your local Chapter to start connecting with like-minded people in your area who are passionate about business. If you can't find your city, simply join the Community Chapter closest to you or the Global Chapter. The current Chapters are designed to serve as regional hubs for you to find other Community members. You can use your closest Chapter to connect with people in your general area or even organize an event in your city.
Are you new to the Community? Find your local Chapter today!