The GreenSouth Project Begins

A Gathering to Reimagine Vocational Learning for Agroecology

On a crisp April morning, thirty five farmer organisations arrived at Kufunda to join us in exploring the potential for working together on vocational development for biodynamic and organic agriculture.

The invitation was simply:

What becomes possible when we grow vocational training from the lived realities of farmers, and develop it through the capacities of our diverse relationships?

We gathered to listen to each other: To listen to what is working, what is challenging and what wants to grow.

What We Heard

We heard that peer-to-peer learning is alive and working—farmers teaching farmers in homesteads and on WhatsApp groups. We heard that seed sovereignty is returning through seed festivals and community exchanges. That youth and women are stepping forward, and that spiritual practices—like rainmaking rituals and sacred days—are quietly reviving connections to land.

We also heard the cracks: Challenges with organic inputs (when chemicals are being given for free by our government), lack of official recognition for traditional seeds, disconnection between generations, market barriers, and the exhaustion of short-term donor projects.

What We Imagined

From this first day together a vision began to emerge:

• Training without walls—learning happening in homesteads and village community gardens

• Ecosystems of Practice—a web of demonstration farms and seed sanctuaries connected by shared intention.

• Healing as Curriculum—training not only in techniques, but in trust, self-awareness, and reconciliation.

• Culture at the Center—where Indigenous wisdom is not a sidebar but an essential part of the learning journey

• Youth invited into leadership—bringing energy, innovation, and their own pedagogy.

• Enterprise with Integrity—creating livelihood models for the rural farmer.

One participant said it best:"It’s not just about farming. It’s about becoming who we truly are."

Where We're Going

This was the first of several gatherings.

A few more have already occured - we have met twice with local farmers, and we have hosted two dialogues in Bulawayo - one with farmer organisations in that part of the country and one with farmers from Ntobe community in Bubi district.

In September, we’ll begin to shape these insights into a prototype for a collaborative vocational learning programme.

We are exicted by what this is already briging - connection, inspiration and a sesen of shared capacity.