Zambia · Est. 2012

Holistic Visions
for Zambia's Future

Engaging with land owners and policy-makers to stimulate holistic thinking. We promote four globally proven technologies that regenerate eco-systems whilst improving profitability.

Regenerating ecosystems,
improving livelihoods

Grassroots Trust engages with land owners and policy-makers to stimulate holistic thinking. We promote four globally proven technologies that regenerate eco-systems whilst improving profitability — working with communities across Zambia since 2012.

Holistic Management

A framework to consider social, environmental and economic factors simultaneously, reducing unintended consequences.

Planned Grazing

Reviving natural grazing patterns to restore pasture, reduce parasites, and rebuild degraded grasslands.

Low-Input Cropping

Enhancing natural water cycles and nutrient flows to increase yields without expensive external inputs.

Tree Pruning / FMNR

Restoring indigenous tree cover from living stumps — faster and cheaper than replanting.

2012 Year founded

Shaping a viable future for Zambia

Founded in February 2012, Grassroots Trust (Company Reg: 99657) is a non-profit Company Limited by Guarantee established to help shape a viable future within the context of a fast-growing population, peak cheap oil, and a rapidly declining resource base.

The founders recognised that declining natural productivity and rural poverty can be reversed by addressing the root causes of environmental malfunction — biodiversity loss, desertification and climate change. Grassroots Trust exists to demonstrate that regeneration is both achievable and profitable.

We engage with land owners and policy-makers across Zambia, bringing Holistic Management principles and proven field technologies to smallholder farmers and communal herders most directly affected by land degradation.

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Executive Directors

Rolf Shenton

Rolf Shenton

Director

Born in Lusaka in 1963. Farmer, wildlife guide, mechanic and businessman. Served in elected posts including the Farmers Union, Tourism Council, Natural Resource Consultative Forum, and the National Assembly. Now runs Grassroots Trust full-time, dedicated to shaping a viable, renewable future for coming generations.

Sebastian Scott

Sebastian Scott

Co-Director · Kafue Demo Farm

Conservation farmer, born in Kalulushi in 1978. Passionate innovator dedicated to developing appropriate low-input production technologies for Zambian farmers, particularly in the small-scale sector. Leads Grassroots Trust's research and demonstration farm in Kafue.

Japher Cora

Japher Cora

Co-founder · Chongwe

Lawyer and entrepreneur, born in Katete in 1983. Grew up facing the challenges Grassroots Trust was set up to address. Completed an LLB at UNZA in 2010 and runs businesses including his Chongwe farm. Japher left Grassroots Trust in 2025 due to commitments; he has since qualified as a lawyer.

Other Board Members

  • Emily Sikazwe
  • M. Muyembe (Vet)
  • Mulilo Chuula
  • Namaala Nkumbula
"The health of soil, plant, animal and man is one and indivisible."

— Sir Albert Howard · Foundational principle of holistic land management

Four proven technologies

Globally proven approaches that regenerate eco-systems whilst improving profitability — adapted for Zambia's land users and communities.

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Dibble-stick planting method Framework

Holistic Management

A comprehensive framework developed by Allan Savory to ensure decision-makers consider social, environmental and economic factors both short and long term — reducing unintended consequences. Grassroots Trust has tested this approach with diverse land-user communities across Zambia, finding that a holistic context inspires leaders to mobilise collective action.

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Pigs under banana trees at Kafue farm Livestock

Holistic Planned Grazing

Helping livestock owners revive natural and traditional grazing patterns to improve pasture and eco-systems while reducing the recycling of ticks, worms and parasites. Mimicking natural herd movement restores grasslands that decades of continuous grazing have degraded, recovering biodiversity and ground cover.

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Maize crop at harvest Cropping

Low-Input Regenerative Cropping

Enhancing natural water cycles and nutrient flows to increase profitability and sustainability. Sebastian Scott has spent over fifteen years researching and adapting high-production techniques for Zambian farmers with poor access to credit, inputs and machinery. Results are shared from our research and demo farm in Kafue.

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Moveable pig cages on the Kafue farm Agroforestry

Tree Pruning & FMNR

Restoring indigenous trees from stumps, bushes and shrubs through Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration. Most trees felled in Zambia are still alive with intact root systems and respond quickly to selective pruning — far faster, cheaper and more ecologically diverse than replanting from seed.

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From the field

March 2014

Scratch – Dibble – Slash – Weed Maize

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March 2014

Scratch – Dibble – Slash – Weed – Harvest (Soya)

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January 2012

2011–2012 Rainy Season

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Follow our journey

Based in Zambia,
working across the country

From the Zambezi escarpment in the west to the central plateau and Eastern Province, Grassroots Trust works wherever communities and ecosystems need support.

Zambia, Southern Africa

Get in touch

We'd love to hear from you

Whether you're a farmer, researcher, donor, or simply curious about holistic land management in Zambia — please get in touch. We respond to all enquiries personally.

Phone / WhatsApp +260 971 502 836
Location Zambia, Southern Africa