Nomusa began gardening with Thanda earlier in 2015. She is now the chairperson of the Lower Umzumbe small-scale farm in partnership with Thanda. The farm is divided into 27 plots measuring 27 x 45 meters each. As chairperson, she facilitates communication between the 27 farmers.

This farm is made up of over two-thirds female farmers and all together, supports 273 individuals. Nomusa supports 20 people with her farming.

Nomusa began farming 5 years ago, but had difficulty sustaining her crops and producing enough. Thanda taught her to farm organically and since Thanda provided fencing, she has noticed a big change. It keeps their crops safe from destruction by animals. New irrigation infrastructure allows them to make investments in seedlings to scale up their production. A jojo tank and a water pump allow them to have sufficient water year round.

Nomusa says “I like to farm because it keeps me active. I eat healthy crops that I plant myself”. She no longer has to travel to the grocery store to get vegetables.

Each of Thanda’s farms has a mentor assigned to help the farmers develop their agriculture skills. Additionally they are working to build the farmers’ self esteem and to help them develop skills to problem solve as their farms grow.

While each plot within the larger farm is individually run, the farmers work as a community. Nomusa hopes, in the future, to see herself and the other farmers at Lower Umzumbe increase production to grow enough food to make more money to “go to the bank and save”. With that money they would buy more equipment for the farm.

“Our biggest wish is to buy a tractor so we can produce more.”