MESA Program

Rodrigo Lecca’s SPRIG mini-grant and research examines how Farmer Field Schools contribute to sustainable cacao production in Peru’s Amazonas and San Martín regions. Through farmer interviews, field visits, and mapping, he is exploring the role of agricultural education in strengthening sustainability, improving knowledge-sharing, and supporting rural farming communities. 🇵🇪🌰🌱

🌱 Inspired by projects like Rodrigo's? Apply for the 2026 SPRIG Mini-Grant by June 30!

🔗https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zzVNwUrMHlaF9UizbqVaRMvM6i0IR1jh/view

In 2018, Krit Suriyachaipun joined the SAGE Program and took the first steps of his journey in organic farming at Dripping Springs Garden. During his yearlong exchange in Huntsville, Arkansas, Krit developed comprehensive skills in production, processing, and agricultural marketing. This past month, Krit returned to the U.S. to begin MESA’s Next Level Program at Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company... Read more about Krit's journey in our May 2026 newsletter

🔗 https://mailchi.mp/mesaprogram/mesa-taproot-may-2026-newsletter-18118273

“Trinidad now leads our Spring interns in GAP training, turning her experience into practical standards that strengthen food safety and farm operations.”

From Arequipa, Peru to Knoxville, Tennessee, Trinidad Figueroa brought her passion for research to her yearlong SAGE Steward experience. She was recently recognized for her outstanding contributions at her Host Farm 🌱... Read more in our April 2026 newsletter!

🔗 https://mailchi.mp/mesaprogram/mesa-taproot-april-2026-newsletter

Ready to bring your vision to life? If you’re a MESA alum with a project rooted in impact, this is your moment. Apply for a SPRIG Mini-Grant! Turn your ideas into action, grow something meaningful, and be part of a global movement for change 🌍🌿 Apply by May 31st at the link in our bio.

🔗https://linktr.ee/mesaprogram

📢Last chance to enroll! Travel with purpose this June! MESA’s NGO partner, the @学校法人 アジア学院／Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi, Japan will welcome this season’s GAPP Fellows to learn alongside a multicultural community from villages across the globe during three weeks of learner-center classroom sessions, hands-on practice, and observation trips. 🇯🇵🌾

When: May 31st-June 19th, 2026

Where: Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi, Japan

Why: Gain hands-on regenerative farming experience and learn the fundamentals of agroecology alongside a multicultural community of grassroots rural leaders from the majority world.

Learn more here: www.mesaprogram/japan

Greetings from Empower Farm School Stewards after a hard-working day of tomato planting! 🍅🌱💪

Meet Kwabena, a SAGE Steward at Third Way Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland 🌱
Kwabena is expanding his farming experience with many crops he doesn’t usually grow back home in Ghana.

Train in agroecology this summer with the Global Agroecology Pathways Program (GAPP) and gain hands-on experience in regenerative farming while learning alongside a global community at the Asian Rural Institute. 🇯🇵🌾

Learn skills in rice transplanting and forest management from highly skilled farmers at 学校法人 アジア学院／Asian Rural Institute!

📅 Enrollment deadline April 20th
📍 Orientation April 30th

Learn more here: www.mesaprogram/japan

Meet Neranjala Weerasekara, whose Farmer Exchange Tour in Sri Lanka strengthens resilience and sustainability for farmers in the dry regions of the Puttalam District through farmer-to-farmer learning. By introducing bio-intensive farming techniques, the project supports the adoption of climate-resilient practices and diversified agricultural production... 🇱🇰🐘🌱 Read more about Neranjala and other inspiring women in our March 2026 newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/mesaprogram.org/mesa-taproot-march-2026-newsletter-18117170