Before and After: The Bold Journey of ForestFoods’ Limuru Farm from Pitch to Produce
- ForestFoods
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
At ForestFoods, our story begins on a surprisingly humble stage: a compacted, barren football pitch. Today, it’s hard to imagine that our lush Limuru farm — vibrant with edible biodiversity and life — once struggled to support even a weed. Yet, this contrast is exactly what drives us: to show that healing land, regenerating soil, and producing nutritious food can go hand in hand.
This is the story of transformation — told through fields, forests, and the force of community-driven agroecology.
The First Field: Planting Hope (2022)
In 2022, we began our boldest experiment on a dry, compacted piece of land — the size of a football pitch. There was no topsoil to speak of. It was dry, dusty, and unforgiving. Yet, we saw more than erosion — we saw potential.
By applying Syntropic Agroforestry, we began to plant in syntropy — a system that imitates the structure and processes of natural ecosystems. Layer by layer, we built a living system.
The Shamba: Scaling Up with Purpose (2023)
Encouraged by our early wins, we expanded into new zones called the Shamba fields in 2023. These fields reflect what happens when regenerative methods meet consistency. Soil quality improved. Moisture was retained. And suddenly, we began to see deeper greens, stronger yields, and diverse crop layers take root.
The transformation was not just in growth — but in resilience.
Upanuzi: The Expansion of Vision (2024)
November 2024 marked the start of Upanuzi, our latest expansion located next to our oldest field. This setup provided a striking visual: what once was barren now contrasted sharply with freshly planted rows — both side by side.
It’s a living timeline — an open-air classroom on what’s possible when time and ecology work together.
Measuring Change: From Bare to Biodiverse
With every growing season, our data tells a story too. Microbial activity in the soil has increased. Water retention has improved. And biodiversity — from insects to canopy — is thriving.
These results mirror broader research. Diversified agroecological systems have been shown to increase financial profitability, improve biodiversity, and support vital ecosystem services (source).
Beyond Limuru: A Glimpse at Our Tatu City Farm
This transformation isn’t exclusive to Limuru. In Tatu, where we once faced parched land and cracking soil, we now witness abundance. Rows of healthy crops, healthy trees, and shade canopies stand where nothing once thrived.
This is regeneration in motion — a method, a mindset, and a mission.
Why This Matters
At ForestFoods, we believe Africa’s landscapes are not broken — only paused. With the right tools and community-centered practices, we can revive ecosystems, restore dignity to farming, and feed the continent with nutrition and pride.
from a hard compacted football pitch in Limuru, and a swampy clay soiled Tatu city to a thriving food forest! What else can be possible?
📚 For further reading:
Conclusion: What Growth Really Looks Like
From a dusty football pitch to a thriving ecosystem, the Limuru journey is a living symbol of what happens when regeneration is given time, care, and purpose. This transformation wasn’t accidental — it was cultivated through a deep respect for nature’s rhythms, informed science, and an unwavering belief in Africa’s potential.
At ForestFoods, we’re not just growing food — we’re restoring dignity to land, to farmers, and to the future. Limuru is just the beginning.
So the next time someone says transformation takes too long, show them what can happen in just two years when you plant with intention.
Comments