Ashwood Associates continues support for Farm Africa

12 July 2012

We are delighted to announce that international talent acquisition company Ashwood Associates, based in Bracknell and New York City, will be continuing its support of Farm Africa as corporate partner for another year. CEO Steve Marley has visited eastern Africa several times with his family and has discovered a passion for the area. This passion led to the first charity partnership that the business has developed and we are delighted that Ashwood Associates have now donated £13,000 for our work.

Established over 20 years ago and still run by its original founder, Ashwood Associates is a major recruitment partner to many UK and European organisations. Ashwood Associates decided to support Farm Africa by making a donation through each successful placement. Their support has helped to support projects like Farm Africa’s forestry management project in northern Tanzania.

This particular project supports communities living in the Nou Forest to build on traditional activities like raffia weaving, honey production and mushroom cultivation, turning them into profit-making enterprises.  This reduces reliance on slash and burn agriculture, thus protecting the forest’s precious natural resources for communities now and in the future.  Through the project Farm Africa has helped the communities to develop eight new forest-based enterprises including beekeeping, butterfly farming, tree nurseries and eco-tourism.  Martin Erro, a Tanzanian honey farmer, increased his annual honey production from four litres per hive to over 25 litres per hive, thanks to Farm Africa’s promotion of modern and more effective beehives. 

Steve Marley, CEO of “Ashwood Associates, said:

"Ashwood Associates wanted to work with a unique charity that makes a direct impact on the lives of those who need it most. We chose Farm Africa for its innovative and effective approach to improving the lives of farmers and their families in eastern Africa. We are delighted to be able to support their work in Tanzania through this unique partnership.”

The partnership continues to go from strength to strength and plans are afoot to develop activities to encourage Ashwood staff and contacts to get more involved and learn more about Farm Africa’s work.

Our Chief Executive Nigel Harris extends his thanks to all at Ashwood Associates for all of their support so far and for continuing their commitment for another year.

“Farm Africa is delighted to be receiving such generous support from Ashwood Associates. This partnership is a timely reminder of how charities and business can pool their resources and invest together in long-term, sustainable strategies for tackling some of the world’s most pressing problems like acute hunger and poverty. I thank them for extending the partnership which will help us continue towards our vision of a prosperous rural Africa.”

To follow Ashwood’s example and find out how your business can get involved with Farm Africa please contact us at corporate@farmafrica.org or call 020 7430 0440.

You can also visit our Company Support webpage to learn more about your company supporting Farm Africa.