In the shadows of Mt. Elgon, farmers have long believed they must choose between trees and crops. They fear that trees are space-hungry competitors, a viewpoint often visualized by bare farmlands. 

This has exacerbated the occurrence of landslides that have claimed over 1000 lives in the last decade. At Bees & Trees, we are challenging this perception. We are motivating and inspiring farmers to envision a win-win scenario that harmonizes agriculture, nature, and climate stability. 

Through our unique social enterprise, we empower farmers to turn this trade-off into a fruitful partnership. We fundraise, train farmers about beekeeping, gift them with modern beehives, coffee seedlings and establish a network of indigenous trees that act as forage for the bees. 

The incentives for farmers are compelling; the planted trees nourish the bees, the bees generate honey, and  we offer a ready market for this golden nectar and coffee, creating an additional revenue stream for farmers, a safety net during crop failure periods. 

The ripple effects go far beyond the farms. The trees enhance landscape restoration, fortify biodiversity, improve slope stability, and assist in climate change mitigation. The bees, nature’s tireless workers, are the unsung heroes of food production and ecological balance. You can learn more about our work in the DW Documentary below.