Addressing Food Security Needs in East African Coastal Communities Through Regenerative Agriculture.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Why Food Security Matters on the Coast

2. What Is Regenerative Agriculture?

3. Ocean Sole’s Community Garden: A Regenerative Model

4. Challenges and Lessons Learned

5. Broader Impact & What This Means for Coastal Regions

6. How You Can Support & Join The Movement

Introduction: Why Food Security Matters on the Coast

On the East African coast, communities face unique challenges to food security: rising costs, soil degradation, unpredictable weather, and dependence on imported or non-local foods. Coastal regions often have fertile potential but struggle with access to sustainable means of cultivation.

Ocean Sole has stepped in with a vision: using regenerative agriculture to not only grow food—but to heal the land, empower local people (especially women), and build a resilient food system grounded in local culture and ecology.

Behind every brushstroke lies a promise: women empowering communities through soil, art, and purpose.

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What Is Regenerative Agriculture? 

Regenerative agriculture is more than “organic.” It’s a set of practices that restore soil, increase biodiversity, improve water cycles, capture carbon, and promote long-term ecosystem health. These methods include: composting, using zai pits, hardening off seedlings, companion planting, building leachate, etc.

Ocean Sole’s Community Garden: A Regenerative Model 

Creation & infrastructure

Founded in December 2024, this community garden is part of Ocean Sole’s mission to address food insecurity with locally grown, nutritious produce. It was designed as a sustainable & regenerative agricultural initiative, not just to grow food, but to heal soil and restore local ecosystems. The garden is women-led and community-driven, especially via Ocean Mamas, who are trained in permaculture techniques.

Key practices observed

• Compost creation: Organic garden waste is turned into compost and leachate (through worm bins). This improves soil fertility and helps reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers.

Delilah wheeling the Mamaz Miracle Grow Compost to be bagged up for clients - Thank You for All your Support!

• Digging of zai pits: These are planting pits designed to capture water and concentrate nutrients where plants need them.

  
  

These zai pits may look small, but they hold the power to restore soil, harvest water, and nurture food security in coastal Kenya.

• Hardening off of chilli seedlings: Ensuring plants are gradually acclimated before transplanting reduces shock and improves survival rates.

  
  

From seed to soil, each chilli seedling tells a story of regeneration, where learning and local action grow side by side.

• Leachate via worm bin: Using worms to break down organic matter and produce nutrient-rich liquid (leachate) for plants.

Omar Holding one of our Red Wriggler Worms - Little heroes of the soil, working 24/7 to make Leachate for our garden.

Biodiversity, nutrition & circular systems

Growing spinach and different herbs along with other indigenous crops enriches diets and supports health. Companion planting and focus on indigenous species foster pollinators and healthy soil microbes. A circular support system: produce helps feed community & staff; compost and leachate feed the garden; knowledge cycles outward through training.

Once barren soil, now lush and thriving. This spinach stands as living proof that regeneration feeds both people and the planet.

A Squash Zucchini Hybrid grows Happily in our Food Forest.

Community & women empowerment

The Ocean Mamas are not just caregivers of the garden; they are being trained, leading, and sharing skills. Education in action: the garden is a site for permaculture training; the Mamaz host other groups and pass on what they learn. Producing compost (and potentially selling compost, or engaging in related economic activities) offers economic opportunity and dignity.

The Ocean Mamaz proudly hold the fruits of their labor — a powerful blend of nourishment, empowerment, and art for change.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

While the garden shows great promise, several realities must be navigated:

• Water access & climate: Coastal regions may have dry spells, saltwater intrusion, or irregular rainfall. Infrastructure (water tanks, retention systems) is key.

• Soil remediation: Some land may be depleted—restoring it takes time, inputs (compost, organic matter), patience.

• Skill gaps: Though training is happening, consistency of knowledge, mentorship, and resources (tools, seeds) are needed.

• Scaling & sustainability: Ensuring community ownership, pathways for economic return, and maintaining regenerative practices even under pressure

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From this we learn that, small steps taken like creating zai pits and composting can make big soil differences - especially as we prepare for the dry season.

Broader Impact & What This Means for Coastal Regions 

Models like this garden provide proof that food security and environmental restoration can go hand in hand.

• Women-led, community‐based initiatives build stronger social fabric, more equitable opportunity, and better health outcomes.

• Indigenous crops + biodiversity help adapt to climate change, improve nutrition, and preserve local ecosystems.

• Such gardens can serve as hubs of learning: neighboring communities can replicate or adapt practices.

How You Can Support & Join the Movement 

• Support Ocean Sole’s work in regenerative agriculture through donations or volunteering.

Donate To Our Garden :)

• Share this story — spreading awareness helps bring resources and partners.

• Learn about permaculture, composting, and regenerative practices; practice them wherever you are.

• Get involved with the Mamaz program — if you're local, join training.