The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST)

?? Meet Julia, a proud TIST farmer from Laikipia County, Kenya. Since joining TIST in 2008, Julia has transformed her farm by planting thousands of trees and diversifying her crops with foods such as Tree Tomatoes and Passion Fruit. She has also established a tree nursery with over 2,000 seedlings. This supports the environment and provides Julia with income to buy food, pay school fees, and even build a permanent home. ???? ? TIST has also taught her about nutrition, health, and the importance of Conservation Farming, helping her family and community thrive. Julia's message? "Plant more trees and enjoy the fruits of TIST!" #TISTFarmers #TreePlanting #SustainableFarming?#OurAnswerIsTrees?

?? Thanks to the efforts of The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST), over 239,000 farmers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and India have planted 26+ million trees, which have sequestered 6+ million metric tons of carbon dioxide!? ? ?? The voluntary carbon market (VCM) is one of the most effective and important tools for driving finance to activities that protect global forests, and for maintaining programs like TIST, which has nine projects registered with Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. With global finance from the VCM, TIST farmers can plant more trees, incubate new woodland growth, and continue mitigating climate change while supporting their families and communities.? ? Here is how TIST projects operate:? 1. Joining TIST: Farmers decide if they want to participate in improving their local environment and their farms, and then they “go and do.”? 2. Environmental Assessment: Trained TIST quantifiers record the existing environment of each farm.? 3. Counting Trees: Trees are counted, and tree mass data is quantified, recorded, and made public.? 4. Validation and Verification: Third-party auditors verify how much carbon has been sequestered by the trees planted by TIST farmers, validate carbon sequestration, and evaluate their contribution to improving climate, community, and biodiversity.? 5. Carbon Credits: Verra issues carbon credits, which are then sold on the global voluntary carbon market to help individuals, families, companies, and organizations meet their climate goals.? 6. Profit Distribution: TIST farmers receive 70% of the profits from the sale of carbon credits, enabling them to sustain and scale up their projects while supporting their communities.? ? TIST’s grassroots model emphasizes collaboration and knowledge-sharing, enabling farmers to teach and uplift each other while developing their farming practices. This farmer-to-farmer approach not only combats climate change, but also fosters resilient, self-sufficient communities.? ? We hope you check out our resources below for more stories about how TIST and its farmers are making an impact—one tree at a time!?? ? Watch our short film: https://bit.ly/4h6f37a?? Read our case study: https://bit.ly/3ZZfxG3? ? #TIST #Verra #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #StandardsMatter #CarbonMarkets

? Today, we’re diving into the remarkable impact of The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST)!?? ? TIST is an organization that works with smallholder farmers across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and India to mitigate climate change through planting and maintaining trees on degraded and/or unused land. Nine TIST projects from Kenya and Uganda are registered in Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard Program.?? ? Carbon credits enable these farmers to sustain and scale up their work—and enrich the lives of their families and communities by increasing access to food, shelter, education, and healthcare.? ? Let’s break down the numbers behind this transformative initiative:? ?? 239,000+ farmers involved with TIST to date? ?? 26+ million trees successfully planted to restore degraded lands and enhance biodiversity? ?? 6+ million metric tons of carbon dioxide sequestered, contributing to the fight against climate change? ?? 50% of leadership roles held by women, highlighting TIST’s commitment to gender equity? ? ?? The program has also received global recognition for its proven climate, community, and biodiversity benefits. With 70% of profits from carbon credits going directly to farmers, TIST not only helps the environment, but also builds stronger, healthier communities.?? ? Check back tomorrow for insights into how the TIST program works.? ? In the meantime, please take a look at our additional resources.?? ? Watch a short film: https://bit.ly/4h6f37a?? Read a case study: https://bit.ly/3ZZfxG3? ? #TIST #Verra #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #StandardsMatter #CarbonMarkets?

?? “Before TIST, we were not paid very much. For every tree planted you would only get a few shillings. But when we’re able to offset tons of carbon, it is now that the farmers have received good money.”?? – Jeniffer Kithure, Kenya Operational Leadership Council, TIST? ? ?? After the tragic death of her husband, Jeniffer Kithure was left to raise four children on her own. Suddenly, she faced the daunting task of supporting her family through farming—a task made even more challenging by Kenya’s hot climate. When The International Small Group and Tree Planting Program (TIST) came to her community in 2005, her life was transformed.?? ? TIST is an organization changing the planet one tree at a time—and empowering farmers like Jeniffer to become community leaders. Through TIST, Jeniffer and her neighbors received training in conservation farming techniques as well as nursery preparation and management. They were able to increase their own harvest yields while planting and maintaining trees.? ? Currently, TIST has nine Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) projects across Kenya and Uganda registered with Verra's Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. Having the project certified with the VCS Program enables TIST farmers to receive carbon credits that provide critical finance for their afforestation efforts, their agricultural equipment, and essential resources for their families. Each carbon credit represents one metric ton of carbon removed from the atmosphere by the trees the TIST farmers grow. ? ? ?? TIST works with over 230,000 farmers across four countries, enabling them to build climate-resilient communities while benefiting their families, their countries, and the planet. The organization operates on a farmer-to-farmer model, meaning that TIST farmers teach their communities to plant trees, tend to their farms, and support themselves through improved agriculture, forestry, and sustainable development activities.? ? Today, Jeniffer is a TIST leader in Kenya. She trains other smallholder farmers across the country and beyond so that they, too, can plant trees and cultivate community.? ? Stay tuned for more TIST highlights, which we will share in the coming days! To learn more about this incredible VCS project today, check out our additional resources below.? ? Read the case study: https://bit.ly/3ZZfxG3?? Watch the film: https://bit.ly/4h6f37a?? ? #TIST #Verra #ClimateChange #ClimateAction #StandardsMatter #CarbonMarkets?

Rafael and Jeska’s farm shows how integrating co-benefits like bee-keeping and Conservation Farming can transform the land and livelihoods! ???? By planting 870 trees, they have created a sustainable space for their beehives, providing honey for both sale and home use. They also practice Conservation Farming, which keeps their soil fertile and productive year after year. ?? These techniques not only provide Rafael and Jeska with a steady income, but also protect the environment. As a trainer in his community, Rafael shares these practices with others, empowering more farmers to benefit from tree planting, bee-keeping, and sustainable farming. #OurAnswerisTrees #SustainableFarming #BeeKeepingAndTrees #ConservationFarming #TISTFarmers

???? Growing Strong with Conservation Farming! ?? At Muungano TIST Cluster, we dedicated a day to learning Conservation Farming on one of our member’s farms. With guidance from Cluster Servant, Josephine M., we prepared the land using a simple, chemical-free method that promises bigger harvests! ?? This hands-on experience taught us that farming can be easier, more sustainable, and better for our communities. #TISTFarmers #ConservationFarming #SustainableAgriculture #GreenerFuture #ouransweristrees??

"My name is Mathayo Ibrahimu, and I joined TIST in 2003. In our group, we have 7,706 trees. Through TIST, I've learned to grow seedlings, plant trees, make energy-saving jikos, and practice Conservation Farming. My forest now provides clean air, fruits, herbal medicines, and firewood. With the income from selling tree products and seedlings, I’ve built a nice house and started tomato farming. My tomato garden has become a learning place for others in my community." - Mathayo Ibrahimu, Kibondo District. #ouransweristrees #growingtrees #growingleaders #tomatofarming #sustainablefarming #tanzania