By Kali L Kirkendall | Executive Director
The Blue Atlas Project through our work with the Spirulina Development Institute (SDI) in Uganda to advance community nutrition and climate resilience through accessible, small-scale spirulina cultivation and regenerative backyard farming systems. This collaboration focuses on building a prototype that integrates spirulina production with adaptable, low-cost growing techniques suited for both urban and rural households. These self-contained units will include solar for pumps and everything you need for the first 6 months of prodution. The goal is to demonstrate how communities can and will grow their own nutrient-dense food and maintain local sovereignty over their health and food systems.
To expand impact and strengthen community knowledge, Blue Atlas is engaging with universities, youth groups, and local organizations to co-host our first in-person pilot training in Uganda. This training will equip participants with hands-on experience in backyard spirulina cultivation, integrated food system design, and long-term maintenance strategies. By rooting these efforts in local partnerships and co-learning environments, we aim to foster a generation of community leaders who can replicate and scale these models across regions facing similar challenges. Each helping to alleviate the lasting impacts of malnutrition on physical and cognitive development by reaching children in their communities with a shelf-stable, super-food.
As part of this initiative, Blue Atlas is also launching its Scaling Up Local Agriculture (SULA) Grant program to support individuals and collectives ready to implement backyard systems in their own communities. These grants will provide the resources and mentorship needed to bring prototypes to life, with technical support from both Blue Atlas and SDI. Through this work, we are laying the foundation for a decentralized network of sustainable micro-farms that address malnutrition, build local resilience, and inspire long-term food security solutions across Uganda.
Our aim is to raise another $15,000 for these efforts in 2025, expanding our reach from 2400 children to 4800 children- daily.
Your support is helping to lay the groundwork for a transformative movement in Uganda—one where communities are equipped to fight malnutrition from the ground up. Through your generosity, we are not only building systems that grow spirulina and nutrient-dense foods, but also empowering local leaders with the tools, training, and resources needed to sustain these efforts long after our initial work is done. Together, we are proving that small-scale, locally led agriculture can be a powerful force for health, resilience, and dignity. Thank you for investing in a future where no one has to go without the nourishment they deserve.
Cheers,
Kali Kirkendall
Executive Director
The Blue Atlas Project
By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director
By Kali Kirkendall | Executive Director
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