Peace Through Agriculture

 

Roots of Peace transforms war-torn lands into thriving farmlands—planting peace through agriculture for the past 25 years.

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2023 World Food Prize LAureate awarded to Roots of Peace Founder, Heidi Kühn.

Roots of Peace is proud to announce Founder, Heidi Kühn as the 2023 Laureate for the World Food Prize for her farmer-focused development model that revitalizes farmland, food security, livelihoods and resilience after devastating conflict.

Read the World Food Prize Foundation’s full announcement here.


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Our Mission

Cultivating Peace Through Agriculture

Roots of Peace is a pioneer in supporting the world's most vulnerable farmers and traders—transforming battlefields of war into thriving agricultural farmlands—restoring agricultural productivity and prosperity benefiting war-torn families as we heal both soil and soul.

Our mission has evolved, and we are now spearheading initiatives in regenerative agriculture, a groundbreaking approach that not only restores soil health but also revitalizes communities affected by conflict.

 

 
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Our Impact

Our efforts improve each step of the agricultural value chain. We introduce farmers to new methods and technology, improve export marketing techniques, and create strategies for ramping up food exports to lucrative overseas markets.

As a result, we have helped export nearly 160,000 metric tons of fruits, nuts, and spices valued at more than $491 million to international markets, impacting more than 1 million farmers and families. We have planted over 7 million fruit trees worldwide.


Footsteps forward in Guatemala

One farmer, one family at a time…

The root cause of out-migration in Central America is due to lack of economic stability, often in rural agricultural communities. We believe we can impact 100,000 farming families with our proven model to cultivate peace through agriculture, strengthening the roots of Guatemalans to thrive with climate smart agriculture.

Join us as we plant the roots of peace in Guatemala

$500 supports intensive, competitive, and sustainable vegetable production unit (Demonstration Plot).

$250 supports an efficient irrigation system for one of our farmers.

$50 supports seedlings for a small farmer's vegetable production.

Donate Today


 

Agricultural marketing program (AMP) in afghanistan

Since 2002, Roots of Peace worked with farmers and traders in Afghanistan supported by USAID—we are the longest standing NGO working consecutively in Afghanistan.

In 2010, many Afghan farmers were lacking viable fruit saplings and basic vineyard technology. By the end of the project, the improved yields of those farms appeared on supermarket shelves around the world.

AMP expanded the number of regional and international markets where Afghan high-value food products are sold—particularly Europe, China, and the Middle East. Additionally, it introduced new Afghan food products to these markets.


 

Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice, and Gandhi Global Family SEVA Award

Heidi Kuhn, Founder, Roots of Peace, honored to receive both the Mother Teresa Award for Social Justice and the Gandhi Global Family SEVA Award in India, in tribute to the outstanding efforts by the Roots of Peace team as it ‘cultivates peace through agriculture’ worldwide.


 

Tribute to Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich:

Legendary Vintner and Roots of Peace Visionary

 
 

"You have turned mines into vines by replacing the seeds of destruction with the seeds of life...and you have shown the world that even with modest beginnings, a partnership backed up by persistence can make a real difference."

- His Excellency Kofi Annan
United Nations Secretary-General

 
 

HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR WORK

PBS News - World Food Prize Ceremony

Watch PBS News featuring The World Food Prize Laureate Ceremony, presented to Heidi Kuhn, Founder of Roots of Peace.

ABC7 News - Roots of Peace in Guatemala

Tens of thousands of Guatemalans come the U.S. every year in pursuit of a better life—but with improved incomes, many can thrive in their homeland with the support of Roots of Peace programs.

Vatican invites Roots of Peace

World Fraternity of Humanity — Fratelli Tutti — invites Roots of Peace Founder, Heidi Kuhn, to speak at St. Peter’s Basilica at The Vatican.

 

Secretary of State Blinken

World Food Prize Laureate Announcement by U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, Washington D.C.

A Journey for Peace from Marin

Follow our "Footsteps for Peace" as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, planting Roots of Peace around the world.

Roots of Peace in Vietnam

See Roots of Peace’s work in Vietnam highlighted on VTV4 in Vietnam.


LATEST NEWS

Explore our recent stories from the field to learn how we implement our model to cultivate peace through agriculture.


 
 

OUR MODEL: farmer designed — market refined

  1. Identify the Challenge

through direct engagement with farmers and communities

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2. Design Interventions

aimed at improving quality and production


3. Increase Exports

to high paying markets worldwide

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4. Generate Peace and Prosperity

through greater economic independence