Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens

What Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens does

Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens (legal name: Eco Mama's Global; operating also as EMG) is a grassroots, registered Canadian charity founded in 2009 that began operations in East Africa (Uganda and Kenya) and earned official Canadian charity status in 2013. The organization delivers decolonizing education, bio-intensive agriculture and permaculture training, natural and herbal medicine instruction, and food security programs through a portfolio of physical projects, including the Wakalenge Eco-Village (a 6.3-acre site near Jinja, Uganda acquired in December 2017), The Porridge Project (15 acres of leased land launched December 2020, later supplemented with an additional 10 acres granted by the Busoga Kingdom), demonstration gardens, borehole water access, and a demonstration site in Kitale, Kenya. Beneficiary segments are women, children, and families in Uganda and Kenya, with targeted support for vulnerable children, malnourished community members (nearly 500 fed via The Porridge Project, with 30+ provided meaningful employment), and since 2024, Black-Indigenous-Settler communities receiving workshop-style education in the Cowichan Valley of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The organization's product and brand surface is anchored by Rudi Organics, a Beyond Fair Trade sub-brand (the name means "to return to" in Swahili) that imports and sells handwoven textiles from Africa in Canada through a dedicated e-commerce storefront, with proceeds directed to EMG projects and beneficiaries. Core technical content is built on bio-intensive agriculture, regenerative agriculture, permaculture design, and natural medicine education methodologies, with proprietary demonstration-garden infrastructure and Artemisia Annua cultivation training for malaria prevention.

The business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven: PayPal and e-Transfer contributions (with official receipts issued above C$50), individual and organizational sponsorships for students and projects, sales of surplus high-protein porridge flour at fair market value, and Rudi Organics direct-trade product revenue. The organization is structured around a wholly-owned operating subsidiary, Eco Mama's Uganda Ltd, and is governed by co-founders Shayna Grimwood-Adam (Executive Director) and Ado Waibi Grimwood-Adam (International Liaison), with an Ambassador for Kenya (Juliet Wakesa), a Legal Consultant (Rukia Adam), an Equity Consultant (Zarya Chelsea Thomas), and a Data & Climate Action Journalist (Seth Onyango). EMG explicitly self-identifies as a B3 organization (Black-led, Black-serving, Black-focused), and major partners include the Busoga Kingdom and the 4Roots Collective Foundation.

Name

Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens

Legal name

Eco Mama's Global

Website

https://ecomamasglobal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens is a Canadian-registered not-for-profit, founded 2009, delivering decolonizing education, bio-intensive agriculture training, and food security programs in Uganda, Kenya, and British Columbia's Cowichan Valley. It funds operations via donations, sponsorships, and Rudi Organics direct-trade textile sales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development and Nonprofit Programs

NAICS

Community Food Services (624210), Nursery and Floriculture Production (11142)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture & Food Security Development (BPAGABAB), Sustainable/Regenerative Agriculture & Conservation Practices (EDAOAOAO), Nutrition & Food Security (Global Health) NGOs (HLAJAKAH), Sustainable Agriculture, Food Systems & Land Management (BPADALAG)

Keywords

• Community agriculture
• Regenerative agriculture
• Decolonizing education
• Fair trade textiles
• Nutrition education

Headquarters

HQ city

Cowichan Valley

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Registered Canadian charity accepting donations via PayPal and e-Transfer. Donations over $50 receive official donation receipts. Donors can specify exactly where their donation goes.
2. Rudi Organics Product Sales: Direct trade products imported from Africa (handwoven textiles currently available) distributed in Canada. Products are sold as sustainable income generation for community members and to sustain programs in East Africa.
3. Student and Community Sponsorships: Sponsorship programs for students to attend educational programs in BC or attend school in Africa. Organizations can become sponsors of specific projects.
4. High Protein Porridge Flour Sales: Surplus porridge flour from The Porridge Project is sold at fair market value to help sustain programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens is a registered Canadian charity that operates community agriculture, bio-intensive and regenerative farming training, nutrition and decolonizing education programs in Uganda and British Columbia, supporting women, children, and BIPOC families with food security, clean water, and small-business development. Programs include the Wakalenge Eco-Village demonstration gardens, The Porridge Project nutrition initiative, Artemisia Annua malaria-prevention education, and student sponsorships, sustained in part by sales of direct-trade handwoven textiles under the Rudi Organics sub-brand.

Product overview

Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens is a grassroots not-for-profit organization (Registered Canadian Charity) operating a multi-project portfolio focused on decolonizing education, environmental sustainability, and holistic health. The organization runs physical community programs in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya since 2009) and the Pacific Northwest (British Columbia since 2024), including the Wakalenge Eco-Village, the Porridge Project, and educational workshops. The primary commercial offering is Rudi Organics, a Beyond Fair Trade product line of handwoven textiles and organic goods that sustains the organization's charitable work in East Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rudi Organics: A line of products imported and distributed in Canada exclusively for Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens projects and beneficiaries. These are Direct, 'Beyond Fair Trade' items produced by groups in or near the villages they work in. The name 'Rudi' means 'to return to' in Swahili.

Products and services

• Rudi Organics Direct-Trade Textiles Direct, 'Beyond Fair Trade' handwoven textiles and products imported from Africa and distributed in Canada exclusively for EMG's projects and beneficiaries, providing sustainable income generation for community members and funding for the charity's East Africa programs.
• The Porridge Project (High-Protein Porridge Flour) A nutrition initiative producing high-protein, immune-boosting porridge flour that targets nearly 500 community members in poor health; surplus product is sold at fair market value to sustain programs and provides employment to 30+ members.
• Wakalenge Eco-Village Community Programs A community demonstration and education site near Jinja, Uganda, hosting 2 acres of demonstration gardens, a borehole, community gardens, composting toilets, an outdoor classroom, and round-house facilities for hands-on bio-intensive agriculture and decolonizing education training of local community members.
• Bio-intensive Agriculture Training and Certification Education and certification program in bio-intensive farming practices delivered through the Wakalenge Eco-Village demonstration gardens and Purpose Driven School partnership, with certificates issued to community members and to students and teachers since 2015.
• Artemisia Annua Cultivation and Consumption Education Educational program teaching the cultivation and consumption of Artemisia Annua for malaria prevention and general immune health, targeting community members in malaria-affected regions.
• Student and Community Sponsorship Programs Sponsorship offerings allowing individual donors and organizations to fund student scholarships, attendance at EMG educational programs in British Columbia, or attendance at school in Africa, with donations over $50 receiving official Canadian charity donation receipts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 500 community members fed for one year with high-protein porridge flour from The Porridge Project.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 4Roots Collective FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerB3 (Black-led, Black-mandated, Black-serving) organization. Zarya Thomas serves as Director of Network Weaving & Learning with 4Roots Collective Foundation. Partnership focuses on food, art, and education to nurture belonging, healing, and liberation.
• SawaworldminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor/partner supporting EMG's initiatives.
• West Coast SeedsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor/partner providing seed support for agricultural projects.
• FTPF (Foundation for the Prevention)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor/partner supporting EMG's initiatives.
• CBR PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor/partner providing photography services.
• NogamuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a sponsor/partner, organization based in Uganda.
• 4RootsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a partner with logo displayed on sponsors/partners page.
• Busoga KingdomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognized EMG's positive impact and granted an additional 10 acres of land to expand charity work beyond the initial 15 acres leased for The Porridge Project.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Heifer International: Global nonprofit working with smallholder farmers in Africa and other regions to end hunger and poverty through sustainable agriculture, livestock, and community training. Directly comparable to EMG's model of bio-intensive agriculture training, food security programs, and East Africa community development.
• Trees for the Future: Nonprofit training farmers in sub-Saharan Africa on regenerative agroforestry and sustainable land use. Comparable to EMG's demonstration-garden training model and East Africa footprint, with a similar grassroots, farmer-training focus.
• Send a Cow: UK-based nonprofit implementing sustainable agriculture, gender equity, and community development programs across sub-Saharan Africa. Highly comparable to EMG's East Africa focus on regenerative agriculture, training, and rural livelihoods.
• World Renew: Canadian Christian nonprofit implementing community development, sustainable agriculture, and food security programs in East Africa and other regions. Highly comparable to EMG's Canadian-registered charitable status, East Africa programming, and grassroots food security focus.
• 4Roots Collective Foundation: B3 (Black-led, Black-mandated, Black-serving) nonprofit bridging food, art, and education to nurture belonging, healing, and liberation. Directly comparable to EMG as a strategic B3-aligned partner with overlapping food justice and education mission.

Regional players

• SEKEM: Egyptian sustainable development initiative operating organic farms, schools, and biodynamic agriculture programs across the MENA region. Comparable to EMG as an African-rooted regenerative agriculture and education nonprofit, but serves a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• Rodale Institute: US-based research and education nonprofit pioneering regenerative organic agriculture. Comparable to EMG's regenerative agriculture training and demonstration-garden model, though focused on research rather than international development.
• Kiss the Ground: Education and advocacy nonprofit focused on regenerative agriculture and soil health. Comparable to EMG's bio-intensive agriculture and regenerative land management training, with overlapping community education mission.
• Fair Trade USA: Leading fair trade certifier and advocacy organization in North America. Comparable to EMG's "Beyond Fair Trade" Rudi Organics product line and direct trade approach with East African artisan producers.
• Slow Food: Global movement advocating for good, clean, and fair food through sustainable agriculture, biodiversity, and community food systems. Comparable to EMG's regenerative agriculture, fair trade, and food security mission, but operates at a much larger global scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ecomamasglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Eco Mama's Global Community Gardens