Seeds Fight HungerGardens give nutrition, income, and self-reliance.
Crisis RecoveryAfter disaster response: what’s next?
LivelihoodGardens grow income for education, medicines, tools.
Women’s EmpowermentWomen with resources and power can transform lives.
Success StoriesTiny seeds that made a big difference.
Partner OrganizationsSPI partners guide the way from planting to harvest to utilization.
Where SPI Seeds Come FromWe help top-quality vegetable seeds find new homes.
Where SPI Seeds GoWe’ve partnered in over 75 countries.
We are sad to share that John Batcha, SPI’s Founder, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2019.
John founded SPI in 1998 to meet a need he saw in the world. Combining his agricultural expertise with a passion for changing the world, John created a program at SPI that has provided families and communities with life-sustaining vegetable seed for the past 20 years. In this time, more than 1 million gardens have been planted over 200 sites throughout 75 countries worldwide. John’s legacy is one of heart, hope, and connection — an inspiring example of how we can do good work in the world that changes lives. He will be missed, and we are proud to continue his work.
“I learned from John that there are two ways to change the world: boldly and thoughtfully sharing resources and expertise globally is one way; quietly making life better for everyone around you through human kindness and connection is another way.
When I spoke with John, both of these paths were evident. His expertise, caring, and creativity as a leader were always present. But even more so, he made me feel like his time with me was his most important moment that day. And I think John's secret is that he made everybody feel that way. Whatever he was dealing with, he would take the extra moment to extend positivity to all around him. This was an amazing achievement.
I have felt so privileged and honored to carry forward the work John established at Seed Programs International. I'll miss him a lot.” — Peter Marks, SPI CEO / President
Give a gift in memory of John Batcha
Half the world still lives on less than $2 per day. On this budget, it can be impossible to sustain life. Malnutrition in the developing world causes dire consequences for nearly a billion people, 60% of them women and girls. Yet, there is hope for change as the majority of those who are hungry are farmers by trade, but lack the resources to grow their own food. In many developing countries, women in particular are well-positioned to lead families and communities out of malnutrition and poverty.
Hunger is overcome when people are empowered to produce their own food.
Seed Programs International provides quality seeds and critically-needed expertise to impoverished communities in developing countries. The strategy initiates a cycle of self-sufficiency that gives people resources they need to feed themselves. Extra vegetables are readily sold to bring household income. Gardeners are then able to cover school fees and supplies, garden equipment, and healthcare, furthering their ability to overcome poverty.
With SPI’s investment in their futures, people around the world are achieving better lives—for their families and their communities.
Become a Global Gardener and grow vegetables in solidarity with gardeners around the world!
Make an online donation to SPI via our secure donation page at GiveDirect, with no commission costs.
Mail in a donation to us and help more families grow their own food.
Fundraise for us. Change communities. Enable brighter futures.
Donate stocks/shares to SPI and help more families become self-sustainable.
Seed Programs International
PO Box 9163
Asheville, NC 28815
828-707-1640
Seed Programs Canada (Affiliate)
Registered Charity No. 839858107RR0001
Lombardy, ON
613-406-6100
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Seed Programs International (SPI) is a non-profit, tax exempt, non-governmental humanitarian organization.
We work thorough other humanitarian organizations, church groups, service clubs and individual donors, to provide quality seed to impoverished communities in developing countries enabling them to grow some of their own food. In addition to seed, SPI provides critical seed expertise and experience operating seed based self help programs.”
SPI is operated by individuals with over 50 years seed industry experience plus over 20 years experience in vegetable research and production. We also have 15 years experience operating programs that have successfully shipped seed to over 70 countries on five continents. SPI has shipped enough seed to plant over 1,000,000 vegetable gardens, providing more than 20 kinds of vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals often missing in people’s diets.
