HappyFarm's inception in The Gambia was marked by a determined commitment to address pressing agricultural and environmental challenges and to embark on a mission to transform lives and landscapes. We began by bringing on board test farmers in eight different villages, each with its own unique challenges and aspirations. Our HappyFarm programme was in its infancy and the road ahead was uncertain.
Our approach was clear: a test-driven model. We believed in understanding what really motivates and empowers our farmers. It wasn't just about offering solutions; it was about co-creating them with the very people we wanted to help. We wanted to find the most scalable and cost-effective platform that would make a lasting difference to farmers' lives.
Today we would like to put the spotlight on our very first partner MY45, who will be helping our first farmers to regenerate 124 farms in the next 4 years in The Gambia.
MY45 is an independent record pressing company offering 7inch and 12inch records, pressed directly at its own production facility in Bavaria, Germany. From professional audio mastering to complete records, ready-made for retail, offering a comprehensive range of services in the field of record manufacturing.
MY45 took the reins in empowering our first trial farmers in our programme. Their support has allowed us to scale up our efforts in several ways. With their invaluable partnership, we are testing different models and strategies to achieve even more impactful results. One of these is using different payment models for farmers in different communities, and we have also introduced our first technique to these communities with MY45's support.
The root of this partnership goes beyond business. It's a story of two people brought together by a shared passion for land regeneration and landscape conservation. One of our co-founders had the opportunity to visit the FMNR project in Humbo, Ethiopia with the owner of MY45. It was there, in the heart of the land restoration effort, that inspiration struck. It was a moment that would set the stage for a partnership that would transform lives and landscapes.
After visiting Humbo, Helge, the owner of MY45, and his wife Lena, came to realize that being eco-friendly means more than just reducing CO2 emissions. There are broader responsibilities that go beyond just environmental benefits and have a positive impact on farmers and their communities.
Their focus on biodiversity highlights their strong interest in the HappyFarm project. They firmly endorse the idea that the biodiversity crisis is undervalued. Their conviction is strengthened by the exceptional social advantages that a seemingly simple strategy like FMNR (Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration) can provide.
Helge was deeply affected by the challenges facing women and children in these communities. He discovered that it was common for these groups to bear the burden of gathering firewood, often travelling long distances. He was especially troubled to learn that children were taken out of school to assist in the collection of firewood, highlighting the numerous obstacles confronting these families.
This realization motivated him to act. Helge felt inspired by The Gambia's stunning variety of birds and thriving wildlife. He and his wife are eagerly looking forward to their trip to The Gambia next year, where they hope to not only make the environment more sustainable but also create a more optimistic future for the local communities they aim to support.
Our partnership with MY45 is just beginning, with a focus on enhancing The Gambia's farmlands and improving the lives of its farmers. Our commitment is to a sustainable and brighter future for both the environment and the local communities.