Community Global Impact

Planting for People and the Land

In Kenya, farmers are planting trees to restore soil, protect crops, and strengthen their livelihoods. See how this work is helping farms and forests thrive together.

May 13, 2026

A family smiles for a photo in front of a large, leafy tree, capturing a moment of togetherness outdoors.

Across Kenya, smallholder farmers rely on modest plots of land to feed their families and earn a living, often on less than $1 per day.

But drought, flooding, pests, and soil degradation increasingly threaten those livelihoods. Deforestation near important ecosystems, including the slopes of Mt. Kenya, has made matters worse, weakening soil health and reducing biodiversity.

Through a partnership with One Acre Fund, the Arbor Day Foundation is helping farmers restore productivity and resilience by integrating trees directly into their farms.

By planting trees among crops or along field perimeters, farmers can stabilize soil, enhance nutrients, and create natural windbreaks. Trees also reduce erosion, provide shade and cooling, support wildlife movement, and create long-term income opportunities through fruits and nuts. Together, these benefits strengthen farms while easing pressure on nearby forests.

In 2025, support from the Arbor Day Foundation helped plant more than 260,000 trees, serving nearly 3,000 farmers across Kenya.

GUIDED BY SCIENCE

This work takes place in regions identified through the Arbor Day Foundation’s Forest Priority Index, a science-based approach that helps pinpoint where trees can deliver the greatest impact for climate, ecosystems, wildlife, and surrounding communities. By prioritizing these areas, the Foundation helps ensure the right trees are planted in the right places for lasting benefit.

Farmers receive training in planting and caring for seedlings to improve survival rates. At the same time, new technology is strengthening long-term impact. Teams are using upgraded digital surveys, satellite mapping, and geospatial tools to monitor tree survival, track landscape change, and guide restoration planning.

The result: healthier farms, stronger incomes, and landscapes better prepared to withstand a changing climate.