In an age where hunger and environmental degradation often go hand in hand, regenerative farming is emerging as a powerful antidote—not just for the earth, but for the people who live on it.
At the heart of this movement, the USANA Foundation has redefined community development with an approach that is as sustainable as it is empowering.
The Foundation’s Garden Tower program demonstrates how vertical gardening and regenerative practices can revive soil, support local economies, and restore dignity to families around the globe.
Beyond Survival: A Holistic Approach to Community Building
Founded on the mission to create sustainable, nutritious food systems, the USANA Foundation is not just feeding people—it’s investing in their futures. Its Garden Tower initiative addresses immediate food insecurity while simultaneously building community infrastructure around self-reliance, education, and health.
Each Garden Tower is a vertical garden made of durable shade fabric and filled with nutrient-rich soil. These towers are designed to maximize food output while minimizing land and water use—requiring 30% less water than traditional gardening. They hold up to 120 plants and can produce up to 1,100 meals a year.
But the impact goes far beyond numbers.
When families receive a Garden Tower, they also receive training, mentorship, and ongoing support. Local leaders are empowered to teach regenerative farming techniques such as composting, natural fertilization, and water conservation—fostering resilience from the ground up.
Regenerative Farming: Healing the Land and the People
The core of the USANA Foundation’s vertical gardening strategy is regenerative farming—a system that prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, and closed-loop resource management.
Families are taught to compost kitchen scraps and reuse organic waste, which naturally enriches the soil and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers. These techniques help regenerate degraded land, restore microbial ecosystems, and ensure food production is not just sustainable, but regenerative.
In countries like Kenya and Uganda, families are using livestock manure and natural mulches to maintain their towers. In flood-prone regions, Garden Towers can be elevated, allowing them to continue thriving despite environmental challenges.
This adaptive, circular farming model enables families to consistently produce fresh vegetables while contributing to the health of the environment.
Women-Led Change and Economic Empowerment
At the heart of this transformation are the women—many of whom lead the local implementation of the Garden Tower program.
From sewing the towers in regional centers to teaching others how to garden, women are at the forefront of this initiative.
Sewing centers in Mexico, the Philippines, Kenya, and Guatemala are more than production hubs—they’re economic engines.
Funded by local grants, these centers provide jobs, training, and income to women, allowing them to support their families while building their communities. Each tower stitched together is a step toward financial stability, collective progress, and gender empowerment.
Vertical Gardens: Compact, Scalable, and Transformative
Because of their small footprint and portability, Garden Towers are ideal for both urban and rural settings. They transform neglected spaces—alleyways, rooftops, courtyards—into thriving food production zones.
By eliminating the need for large plots of land, they offer a scalable solution to food insecurity across a wide variety of landscapes.
The USANA Foundation has deployed over 45,000 towers, supporting more than 10,000 sustainable families, and providing an estimated 49.5 million meals annually. These towers are more than tools for agriculture—they are symbols of transformation.
A Network of Shared Knowledge and Lasting Hope
Central to the success of the Garden Tower initiative is the USANA Foundation’s emphasis on community networking and knowledge sharing.
Local leaders are trained not just to plant, but to teach. Data is collected to monitor outcomes and refine approaches. Service trips—open to donors and Associates—bring people together from around the world to share skills, stories, and solidarity.
This collaborative model fosters community ownership, innovation, and pride. From urban centers in New Zealand to refugee camps in Uganda, Garden Towers are a beacon of what’s possible when science, sustainability, and compassion intersect.
Ready to Dig In?
With a donation of just $20, you can provide a family with everything they need to grow food sustainably for years. A monthly $41 gift supports an entire community of 10 families and yields over 26,000 meals annually.
Join the USANA Foundation in its mission to regenerate soil, restore hope, and rebuild communities—one Garden Tower at a time.
