TillersInternational
Tillers International works to master historical rural skills so they can be reapplied in adapted form to solve the challenges facing rural communities around the world. Tillers believes that rural development can build on the insights of rural history to find low-cost means of increasing food production. New science is available to blend with history to create micro-solutions. Localizing the re-invention process is critical to supporting efforts to transition to less petroleum-based, less capital-intensive farming technologies. "Modern" high-tech farm practices are too costly for most of the small-scale farms of the world. Further, making them available to over a billion struggling farmers in their current form would only accelerate the use of petroleum. Tillers finds localized solutions using alternative energies such as ox and horse power to be more practical. We blend historical rural tools with new low-cost practices to answer local challenges. Using a localized process, Tillers builds local trainers into rural leaders and village artisans into re-inventors. We think this will lead to a more sustainable rural development.
While encouraging entrepreneurial solutions, Tillers is a non-profit organization that depends on your support. It is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 charity with tax deductibility for donations.
About Us
Bibi (Grandma) Mwanaidi Teaches Us How to Transplant Lettuce
How A Widowed Mother Overcame Challenges to Work Her Land
Quick Intro to a Wooden Bench Hook
A Conversation with Dr. Temple Grandin
Making a Wooden Mallet Meant to Be Used
Woodworking for Beginners: Three Uses for a Hand Plane
Woodworking for Beginners: A "Non-Wizardly" Tip for Getting Your Jack Plane Ready
Road Repair Pt. 3: Using the Martin Ditcher
Thoughts On Ox Carts
Off-Road Road Repair without Modern Machines
The Mechanics and Psychology of Hitching Oxen to a Cart
Laying the Groundwork for Road Repair
Oxen Basics: Cheap & DIY Tools for Oxen Work
Oxen Basics: How to Hitch a Chain to Yoked Oxen
Lifting and Moving Logs With Draft Animals
Peaceful Work: How to Move Logs Without Power Tools or Machines
Getting a Yoke Ready for Logging with Oxen
Improving a Planter
John's Must Have Tools for Getting Logs Out of the Woods without Modern Tech
Oxen Basics: How to Steer Oxen
Oxen Basics: What is an Ox?
How We Use Historic Farming Tools and Practical Skills to Help Small-Scale Farmers Around the World
Simple but Reliable Animal Powered Farming Tools
Tillers International + Mozambique