The MCF Seed Project – A Harvest of Hope

Ben Freeth
Jul 27
2 min read

A message from Ben Freeth

Dear Supporters, Friends and Colleagues

Although life is very difficult in Zimbabwe, we want to encourage you and bring you hope - because God gives us hope even in the more difficult times.

We started the Open-pollinated Seed Project 7 years ago after being inspired by some Amish people in America who were growing open-pollinated maize. I brought back 3 open-pollinated cobs of maize to trial and the project has focused on empowering the poorest of the poor to feed themselves sustainably using true seed that can be kept and grown again.

Three families generously took on the task of funding the project for the first 4 years.

It was a measured beginning, but once we found the right land to rent, it started to flourish.

This year we had our best harvest yet.

In the 7 years, through drought and floods, with your generosity, we have empowered over 100,000 families which equates to over 500,000 people being fed directly (once they have grown and harvested the seed they’ve been given). The bonus factor is that they can then empower others around them at harvest, by sharing some of their seed - and there is a real incentive for them to do that because their neighbours will then be then keeping their seed pure.