About Us

Ending poverty begins with agriculture

Heifer International is on a mission to end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way by supporting and investing alongside local farmers and their communities.

Heifer's Mission

We work to end hunger and poverty in partnership with the communities we serve. Our programs support entrepreneurs around the world, creating lasting change from the ground up.

It begins with a seed investment of livestock or agriculture, followed by mentorship to help project participants build a business, and ultimately to gain access to supply chains and markets.

These families are able to earn a living income and continuously lift up their communities as they train the next generation of leaders.

By supporting and training the world's farmers, ranchers, and female business owners, we're investing in a new breed of success.

Woman in India carrying a pan of milk from her goats.
Historical photo of group of people with a Heifer cow.

Our History

In 1944, Dan West began outlining a simple but groundbreaking plan to tackle hunger around the world. His philosophy still inspires Heifer’s work today. Partnering with farmers across a range of different livestock and crops, we create unique solutions to local challenges. Together, we build inclusive, resilient economies, so communities can develop effective ways to end global hunger and poverty in a sustainable way.

See our history

Where We Work

Heifer International is working to end world hunger in 19 countries across four continents. Heifer works in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, the United States of America and Zambia.

 EXPLORE

Where We Work

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Cambodian farmers feed flock of chicks from Heifer International

Cambodia

We connect farmers with skills, knowledge and networks so they can raise more, sell more and earn more.

Learn More Cambodia
Ecuador women with alpaca in background at her farm.

Ecuador

We strengthen triple-impact rural businesses, driving positive outcomes for incomes, food security and the environment.

Learn More Ecuador
Guatemalan farmers.

Guatemala

We work with producers to develop businesses that increase their incomes while caring for the Earth. 

Learn More Guatemala
Man and woman holding a goat in Haiti.

Haiti

We support the people of Haiti to address food insecurity, climate shocks and fragility.

Learn More Haiti
Smiling Honduran woman farmer with cow.

Honduras

We equip farmers with tools, knowledge and networks to master agroecology, enhance productivity and connect with lucrative markets.

Learn More Honduras
Heifer helps establish living incomes in India.

India

We help farmers work collectively to produce food, connect to markets and secure resilient futures. 

Learn More India
Three Children holding chickens and smiling in Kenya.

Kenya

We partner with Kenyan farmers to build sustainable futures through resources, training and community values.

Learn More Kenya
Map of malawi projects, highlighting regions of Thyolo and Lilongwe as active project regions, and Mchinji, Dowa and Kasungu as past project locations.

Malawi

We help farmers build profitable agribusinesses to earn income, overcome poverty and feed their families.  

Learn More Malawi
Man and Woman trading goods at a market in Mexico.

Mexico

We partner with smallholder farmers for growth, connection to markets and sustainability.

Learn More Mexico
Nepalese women tending to goats in a field.

Nepal

We train and support farmers — especially women — to reach new markets, raise better livestock and earn more money.

Learn More Nepal
Rwanda pineapple farm

Rwanda

We bridge the gap for smallholder farms, connecting them to value-expanding markets, agricultural knowledge and financial empowerment.

Learn More Rwanda
Senegal children with a donkey helping with dairy farming in arid conditions.

Senegal

We supply farmers with tools and services to overcome climate challenges, participate in markets and earn more income.

Learn More Senegal
Woman in Tanzania at a Water Well.

Tanzania

We connect farmers to training, services and market opportunities to transform household farms into thriving businesses.

Learn More Tanzania
Ugandan woman carrying a harvest through a field.

Uganda

We connect farmers to innovative technologies alongside tools, expertise and insights to elevate agriculture.

Learn More Uganda
Smiling American woman farmer with herd of cows in the background.

United States

We partner with smallholder farmers to cultivate prosperity in farming and food through climate-smart strategies.

Learn More United States
Zambian women indoors listening to a presentation.

Zambia

We are helping 320,000 households escape poverty and become sustainably resilient by 2030.

Learn More Zambia
Farmers in Zimbabwe drive cattle to market

Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, Heifer is aiming to lift 200,000 families out of poverty by 2026. Heifer works to build social capital among farming families to boost their incomes and standard of living, and improve nutrition and health across Zibabwe.

Learn More Zimbabwe
Bangladesh women sell crops at market

Bangladesh

We support women farmers to increase production, earn more from their products and unlock opportunity.

Learn More Bangladesh
Women with goat in field.

Bihar, India

In one of India's poorest states, Heifer empowers women farmers to provide food for their families, improve the local environment and increase business opportunities for their communities.

Learn More Bihar, India
Woman milking cow.

East Africa Dairy Development Project

Dairy farmers in East Africa face many barriers to entering the formal economy.

Learn More East Africa Dairy Development Project
Group of youth in a field.

East Africa Youth Inclusion Project

The majority of Uganda and Tanzania’s populations are youth, who grow up in poverty.

Learn More East Africa Youth Inclusion Project
Women sitting in a semi-circle in Nepal.

Empowering Women Farmers

Nepal

Heifer works with farmer cooperatives to improve financial management and link them to distribution markets.

Learn More Empowering Women Farmers
Chicks being held by two hands.

Hatching Hope

China

An efficient, productive poultry farm can change everything for farmers, their families, and their communities.

Learn More Hatching Hope

INCOME Project

Through specialized production techniques, cooperatives and connections to local markets, Cambodian families earn living incomes.

Learn More INCOME Project
Woman with her Cattle.

Lenca II Project

Powering local dairy production in Lempira, located in western Honduras, which is the country's poorest department.

Learn More Lenca II Project
Woman with her child interviewing.

Leveraging Success

Honduras

Heifer provides training and technical support for farmers to boost yields of quality, reliable products for high-value markets.

Learn More Leveraging Success
Hands making cheese product.

NIKA Milk Project

Supporting farming families in Nicaragua’s ‘Milky Way,’ to increase production and diversify their product offerings.

Learn More NIKA Milk Project
Farmer with a bull.

REACH Project

Haiti

Restoring rural livelihoods by promoting sustainable food production

Learn More REACH Project
Woman mixing a glass jar with child on her back.

Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Project

Sololá, Alta and Baja Verapaz, Guatemala

By identifying local market demand and providing support and training, Heifer International and partners are paving the way for women to earn living incomes.

Learn More Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Project
Woman sorting eggs.

Rural Entrepreneurs Project

In this partnership with the Walmart Foundation, Heifer empowers women farmers across Mexico through training, finance and providing connections to formal markets where they can sell their products.

Learn More Rural Entrepreneurs Project
Three people stand at a market in Ethiopia

Ethiopia

We leverage partnerships to implement innovative, market-based solutions that improve incomes for smallholder farmers. 

Learn More Ethiopia

Our Projects

Our community development model focuses on building social capital by increasing income and assets within farming families, improving their food security and nutrition, and protecting the environment - with women's empowerment and connected communities at the very center.

Learn more about East Africa Dairy Development Project.
East Africa Dairy Development Project Heifer International

East Africa Dairy Development Project

Dairy farmers in East Africa face many barriers to entering the formal economy.

Learn more about Hatching Hope.
Hatching Hope chicks

Hatching Hope

An efficient, productive poultry farm can change everything for farmers, their families, and their communities.

Learn more about East Africa Youth Inclusion Project.
East Africa Youth Inclusion project members calculate earnings

East Africa Youth Inclusion Project

The majority of Uganda and Tanzania’s populations are youth, who grow up in poverty.

Need help with your donation?

Call Toll Free: 1.855.9HUNGER (1.855.948.6437)

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