Heidi Kuhn’s selection as the 2023 World Food Prize Laureate was announced by US Ambassador Terry Branstad (@TerryBranstad), World Food Prize Foundation President, at a ceremony in Washington DC this morning. #RootsofPeace #Heidikuhn #WorldFoodPrize #TerryBranstad

A Message from Founder and CEO Heidi Kuhn, the winner of the 2023 World Food Prize (@WorldFoodPrize). #RootsofPeace #HeidiKuhn #WorldFoodPrize #2023WorldFoodPrize

We're overjoyed to announce that founder and CEO Heidi Kuhn has been awarded the 2023 World Food Prize (@WorldFoodPrize) for her leadership in restoring agriculture to de-mined land in former war zones across the world. 🤩🌿🌾 #rootsofpeace #heidikuhn #worldfoodprize

BEYOND THE WALLS💫 Afghan women know how to make the most of limited resources. In conservative Kandahar Province, Farziah has been making jam and pickles for several years out of her home and selling them in the local market.

Codling moth were destroying 90% of apple production in Afghanistan and the farmers and technicians had no solution. 🍎 Our team introduced inputs and a training program to combat codling moth while also providing trainings on best practices.

USAID's Agriculture Marketing Program (AMP), implemented by Roots of Peace, provides grants and incentives that give Afghan agribusinesses room to grow.

AFGHAN WOMEN—FOOD FOR THOUGHT💫 This January 2023 is one of the coldest winters on record in Afghanistan, and Mothers must find a way to feed their children in a country with a chilling rate of 97% unemployment.

AFGHAN WOMEN—WEIGHT ON SHOULDERS💫 Afghan women often carry a heavy weight on their shoulders, as they work tireless hours to provide food for their children. When a new orchard is planted, farmers often wait several years before it produces an income-generating crop.

Roots of Peace staff recently traveled from our San Rafael, California headquarters to the western highlands of Guatemala to visit producers who are part of our ongoing demonstration plot program. 🇬🇹

Roots of Peace is helping Afghan farmers and agribusinesses mechanize their labor and increase profits. 📈 Our USAID-funded Agriculture Marketing Program provides a range of grants and incentives for the purchase of raisin processing equipment, saffron drying and seed sowing.

AFHGAN WOMEN & AGRICULTURE: When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, Roots of Peace remained in country, redoubling our commitment to improving livelihoods of farmers and agribusiness owners.

Sera Koulabdara, CEO of @legaciesofwar, is proudly the new Chair of USCBL-USCMC.

A special thanks to @GrgichHills , the amazing hosts of the inaugural Festival of the Bells!

On January 17th, Heidi traveled into the heart of Silicon Valley to address the Los Altos Morning Forum.

"We recently had a productive meeting with implementing partners of Roots of Peace Demo Plots project in Guatemala 🇬🇹, including ROP staff, personnel from the Association Barbara Ford, and a technical team from the Ministry of Agriculture of Quiché.

Look at all these wonderful faces who attended our Festival of Bells event! 😊 We are so honored to have cultivated such a supportive and wonderful community of ROP supporters over our 25 years in operation.

Previously, Afghan farmers focused on cereal crops rather than high-value fruits and nuts. We've worked with local populations to facilitate a switch to fruits and initiatives to strengthen irrigation networks, and in recent months we have seen great advances in farm production🌱

Why agriculture? There are 500 million smallholder farming households globally who live on less than $2 a day. We believe that the well-being of these farmers is a critical element of a peaceful society. They must not be forgotten in times of conflict.

This photo is from a recent meeting with personnel from the Municipality of Palestina, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, who are implementing partners of our demonstration plots project in the region. 🇬🇹

Known as Kandahari anar in Afghanistan, pomegranate from the province of Kandahar is renowned for its bright color, juiciness, and its large size. One fruit can sometimes weigh up to a kilogram!