Plant With Purpose
Discover real-world stories of communities overcoming poverty and deforestation! Plant With Purpose, a Christian non-profit, shares examples of environmental sustainability and stewardship from all around the world. These stories show us how faith, resilience, and sustainable practices transform people’s lives as well as their environment. As rural families overcome poverty and heal the planet, embrace empowerment, renewal, and hope.
Living Sustainably
Poverty, Trees, and the Joy of Getting Your Hands Dirty
Kathy Kellogg-Johnson is a longtime supporter of Plant With Purpose and an expert in healthy soil. Her family-owned company, Kellogg Garden Organics, is celebrating its 100-year anniversary this year! For an entire century, they have been providing organic soil and products for farmers all across the country. Kathy generously spoke to us about the relationship between people, trees, and healthy soil. Check out her interview below.
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About Our Work
Why Do We Plant Trees?
Farmers who partner with Plant With Purpose have planted 76.6 million trees to date, and are projected to plant another 11 million in fiscal year 2026! But tree planting hasn’t always been our goal. When our CEO Scott Sabin first joined Plant With Purpose as an intern in 1993, he wasn’t particularly interested in planting trees. In fact, tree planting seemed like a distraction from the “real” mission of reducing rural poverty. Today, people new to Plant With Purpose may also wonder: what is the connection between helping people thrive and planting trees? The answer lies in the unique geographies of the watersheds we work in, where trees and livelihoods are inextricably intertwined.
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Ethiopia
Ethiopian Church Forests: An Ancient Key to Biodiversity
In the past 20 years, Ethiopia has been devastated by deforestation. Extensive agriculture, cattle herding, and increased population pressure, reduced forest cover to just 4.2% by 2000. Since then, the species richness of Ethiopia’s forests has been declining, and the remaining forests are fragmented, impoverished, and have only a fraction of the diversity they once had.
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Why
Why Should Churches Care About Trees?
Several years ago, my home church nearly cut down a 60-foot sycamore tree to build a new parking lot. Removing the tree seemed like the obvious choice—more room for families, more space for ministry. But some hesitated. Wasn’t this tree part of our story? Could we build around it instead of removing it? In the end, the church chose to save it, making it a prominent feature of the new campus.
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Photo Essays
How Cacao Trees are Transforming Lives in the Dominican Republic
At the end of March, Plant With Purpose hosted a Vision Trip to the Dominican Republic (DR). I, along with several donors and Plant With Purpose U.S. staff, had the privilege of visiting our partners in the DR and seeing the incredible work they’re doing to transform their communities. Just a few hours into our […]
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Climate Solutions, Tanzania
The Power of a Planted Tree: Changing Lives in Rural Tanzania
What does the power of the planted tree look like? In the lush but ecologically vulnerable hills of Tanzania, smallholder farmers have long lived at the mercy of harsh environmental conditions. Deforestation, soil erosion, and unpredictable rainfall have created a reality where farming, once a stable way of life, can quickly spiral into a struggle […]
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Malawi
Daniel, Malawi: "When people see change, they start to believe again.”
Daniel stands quietly in the Lwafwa watershed, looking over the land that raised him. The soil under his feet is familiar, the paths woven through his village echo years of memories. But lately, he’s noticed some changes that trouble him deeply. “I grew up here,” Daniel says. “And a good number of people around me […]
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Haiti
Stephanie, Haiti: "We do a lot of things together so, we become more powerful.”
For many years, Stephanie lived in quiet fear. She rarely spoke outside of her home, feeling shy and uncertain of her place in the world. Her social interactions were limited to attending church, and even there, she kept to herself. She feared her husband, feared speaking in public, and feared stepping into roles outside of […]
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Mexico
Sara, Mexico: “We are learning to care for the land and each other.”
In the Peñoles watershed of Mexico, Sara’s days used to be filled with quiet uncertainty. At 47 years old, she spent most of her time at home, supporting her husband, who worked as a farmer, and supporting their 24-year-old child. Life in their rural community was shaped by the rhythms of the land—land that was […]
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Environmental Restoration, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania
The Role of Women in Restoring Ecosystems Through Tree Planting
Women around the world are leading efforts to restore degraded ecosystems through tree planting. From rural villages in Tanzania to Haiti’s struggling hillsides, women are not only planting trees but also cultivating resilience, sustainability, and hope for future generations. Their contributions are making a lasting impact on biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation. At Plant […]
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Mexico
Carolina, Mexico: “Through nature, God gives us many things”
In the Peñoles watershed of Mexico, Carolina’s life once revolved around the quiet routines of home. At home, she took care of her animals, rarely stepping beyond the familiar boundaries of her household. “I didn’t like to go out much,” she admitted. “I thought I didn’t have time to be involved in those programs. It […]
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Dominican Republic
Roberto, Dominican Republic: "I see God in everything around me"
In the lush, mountainous landscape of the Nizao watershed in the Dominican Republic, life for farmers like Roberto has always been shaped by the land. The soil provides, but it also demands—demanding hard work, resilience, and the wisdom to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing climate. For years, Roberto’s biggest challenge wasn’t just making ends […]
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Haiti
Natacha, Haiti: "I always have hope, even if I am going through hard times"
Natacha’s life as a farmer in rural Haiti has never been easy. At 26 years old, she shoulders immense responsibility—not only as a farmer struggling against the challenges of climate change but also as a mother raising two young children on her own. In a region where poverty and environmental degradation have long cast a […]
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Dominican Republic
Franklin, Dominican Republic: "Nature has taught me about God"
In the rolling hills of the Dominican Republic, where fertile soil meets the challenges of an unpredictable climate, Franklin’s story stands as a beacon of transformation. Before joining a Purpose Group through Plant With Purpose, he wrestled with deep uncertainty about his future. "The biggest concern I had before joining the Purpose Group was that […]
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Climate Change, Climate Solutions, Environmental Restoration
Success Stories: Environmental Restoration Through Community Tree Planting Projects
Trees are vital to the health of our planet. They clean our air, provide shade, prevent soil erosion, and support biodiversity. Unfortunately, deforestation and environmental degradation have taken a toll on tree populations worldwide. But there's hope! Communities around the globe are taking action, proving that community tree planting efforts can revitalize ecosystems and create […]
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