The Guarded Harvest Project
Mission Statement
Dedicated to significantly reducing post-harvest food loss in Africa from pests and storage issues, fostering food security, financial stability, and healthier communities.
Made possible through the generosity of Matthew Mehr, President of Hawx Pest Control.
Hawx Pest Control contributes organizational and financial support to The Guarded Harvest Project, Created by Hawx's Vice President of Technical Services, Daniel Baldwin.
Supported by Global Partners
Syngenta Crop Protection, Control Solutions Incorporated, Nisus Corporation, JT EATON, Rockwell Labs, Trécé, Envu, and The Baldwin Group.
The Guarded Harvest Project Is Underway!
Step 1 Completed. High-Level Field Assessment.
Step one consisted of a whirlwind trip through Kenya and Zimbabwe.
Step 1 was supported by Hawx Pest Control and Syngenta Crop Protection.
Step 2 was an in-depth evaluation of the situation in Nakuru in The Great Rift Valley Region of Kenya from 03/12/25 - 03/20/25. please scroll down to see the overview.
Step 3 will focus on protecting the maize post-harvest.
Step 4 will address the challenges presented during the pre-planting and growing stages.
Steps 2 - 4 are supported by Hawx Pest Control, Syngenta Crop Protection, Control Solutions Incorporated, Nisus Corporation, JT EATON, Rockwell Labs, Trécé, Envu, and The Baldwin Group.
More supporters will be announced soon!
March 2025 - Top Issues
Increased Land Fragmentation
Farmers need to prevent loss due to pests and insufficient storage facilities, which is the main focus of the Guarded Harvest Project. They also need to increase production per unit area. Training is required to improve soil health through sustainable farming practices.
Soil Analysis
Evaluating soil analysis capabilities reveals the potential for providing ongoing access to mobile soil testing equipment, which can significantly enhance farmers' ability to make informed fertilization decisions. The type and quantity of necessary equipment and the infrastructure needed to ensure ready access will be evaluated.
Education and Training
The farmers in the Nakuru region have demonstrated a keen understanding of their challenges. It is anticipated that the combined efforts of the experts associated with the Guarded Harvest Project can work with them to develop practical solutions.
Available Registered Products
Sustainability efforts require us to meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. To align with sustainability goals, we must identify and make available products that can improve soil health and eliminate pests. A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture will meet to discuss how to make suitable materials accessible. Additionally, we will ensure that farmers are thoroughly trained in these products' safe and effective use.
Why Nakuru, Kenya in The Great Rift Valley?
From Cradle to Today: Bridging Humanity's Origins to Our Fight Against Food Loss
The Great Rift Valley in Kenya is often celebrated as one of the likely "cradles of humanity," a region where the story of human evolution unfolds in remarkable detail. This vast geological wonder, stretching over 6,000 kilometers from Lebanon to Mozambique, is particularly significant in East Africa. It has yielded some of the most critical fossil discoveries, including early hominins like Australopithecus afarensis and Homo habilis. These findings provide invaluable insights into the evolutionary journey of our species.
Modern genetic studies further affirm the profound connection between humanity and Africa. Research reveals that all humans share a common ancestry rooted in Africa, with genetic markers tracing back to populations that lived on the continent hundreds of thousands of years ago. This shared "African DNA" underscores the interconnectedness of all people, regardless of where they live today.
The Great Rift Valley not only serves as a testament to our shared origins but also as a reminder of the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage that continues to thrive in this region. Its landscapes, shaped by tectonic forces over millions of years, stand as a living archive of Earth's history and humanity's beginnings.
Food Insecurity
Not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one's basic needs.
The Great Rift Valley region has long grappled with food insecurity, a challenge deeply rooted in its historical and socio-economic landscape. The region's vulnerability to food shortages can be traced back to the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when events such as the rinderpest epizootic (1887-1889) devastated livestock populations and destabilized rural economies. This period marked the beginning of a series of crises that would shape the region's food security landscape for decades to come.
Throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, reliance on international grain trade exacerbated its food insecurity. Structural poverty, widespread indebtedness, and the impacts of global events, such as the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, have further strained the region's ability to produce and access sufficient food. These factors have led to a cycle of dependency on food imports, leaving millions of people vulnerable to price fluctuations and supply disruptions.
In recent years, climate change has emerged as a significant driver of food insecurity in the region. Erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events have disrupted agricultural production, leading to frequent food shortages. Additionally, political instability and conflict have compounded the challenges, displacing communities, and disrupting livelihoods.
Overview of The March 2025 Survey
Summary
This trip provided an in-depth look into the challenges faced by the smallholder farmers during the preparation and planting stages. The insight gained, added to the findings from the previous trip have provided sufficient information to move forward with Step 3 - Small scale testing of solutions to the harvest/post-harvest issues (targeted for October 2025), while planning for Step 4 - which will address the field preparation through growing season hurdles.
Primary Pests
- InThe Fields
- Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)
- Maize aphid (Rhopalosiphum maidis)
- Maize stalk borer (Busseola fusca)
- Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)
- In Storage
- Angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella)
- Larger Grain Borer (Prostephanus truncatus)
- Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)
- Rodents: The common commensal rodents and many native species.
Preparation / Planting Challenges
Not surprisingly, the biggest obstacle to a successful harvest is a lack of financial resources during the preparation and planting period. The end results are:
- Inability to perform soil testing
- Insufficient field preparation, including inadequate/inconsistent tilling, weed prevention, and fertilization
- Delays in field preparation, resulting in less than optimal planting conditions
Other Challenges
Economic conditions remain the largest hurdle overall. One of the primary challenges for the project will be to find economically viable, sustainable solutions to the identified issues. It is likely that, at some point, Guarded Harvest will partner with existing efforts to ensure sustainability.
501(c)(3) Status
Guarded Harvest Inc. was established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization on March 12, 2025. The Board of Directors roster will be announced soon.
Contact Us
Have questions or comments? We're always here to help. Contact us today and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Holistic Pest Prevention™
Discover the World of Holistic Pest Prevention!
The Holistic Pest Prevention Institute is dedicated to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the professional pest management industry, and reducing the reliance of pesticides. The move to reduce pesticide use is intended to protect the long term availability of these invaluable materials, not to eliminate them. It's a matter of sustainability. The industry needs effective pesticides, yet they are all too often used inappropriately by homeowners and professionals alike. By adopting a holistic approach to pest prevention, long term results are possible, while ensuring access to vitally important materials.
Situationally and Geographically Adjusted Pest Prevention™
The Operational Component of Holistic Pest Prevention
Not quite ready for publication, the SaGA approach facilitates successful solutions to pest prevention needs by focusing on an expanded vision of exclusion: Environmental Exclusion (Habitat Modification), Behavioral Exclusion (Changing the Behavior(s) of the Customer), Structural/Physical Exclusion, and, as a last step, Chemical Exclusion (Treatment), and informed adjustments to service processes based on a variety of environmental characteristics. More to come soon!
About Dan Baldwin
BCE
REHS/RS, CCFS, CP-FS, PCQI
BCE
This certification has been designed for professionals with a degree in entomology or a closely related field. A college degree is required to become a Board Certified Entomologist (BCE), and most BCEs hold either a BS or post-graduate degree in entomology.
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) conducts a program that tests the knowle
This certification has been designed for professionals with a degree in entomology or a closely related field. A college degree is required to become a Board Certified Entomologist (BCE), and most BCEs hold either a BS or post-graduate degree in entomology.
The Entomological Society of America (ESA) conducts a program that tests the knowledge and experience of practicing entomologists and certifies their professionalism. Those who participate and meet the certification program's requirements earn the designation BCE. Continuing education and adherence to a strict code of ethical standards are required for BCEs to maintain certification.
PHE
REHS/RS, CCFS, CP-FS, PCQI
BCE
In public health, entomologists apply their research data and experience to determine insects' effects on the community. This can include the part that insects play in environmental safety and public health, such as spreading disease or creating harmful health situations.
Entomologists study insects in their natural habitat and under contr
In public health, entomologists apply their research data and experience to determine insects' effects on the community. This can include the part that insects play in environmental safety and public health, such as spreading disease or creating harmful health situations.
Entomologists study insects in their natural habitat and under controlled situations in the lab. Along with observing life stages and migration patterns, you would also look at the movement and habits of insects in the urban environment, including businesses and households. The information you discover is shared with health professionals to increase public safety and reduce the incidence of direct and indirect harm to the human population.
An entomologist for the public health department would commonly engage in the following tasks:
- Conduct studies and experiments with insects that are present either in the wild or in the lab.
- Deduce patterns within the insect population as they relate to the impact on the community.
- Analyze biological samples from insects to determine harmful components such as toxins or disease.
- Observe population trends of both humans on insects and insects on humans.
- Report pertinent findings to other health departments and healthcare professionals.
- Provide educational materials for the community regarding potentially harmful interactions with insects.
- Devise strategies to promote public health, such as awareness programs for tick-borne diseases or emergency protocols for toxicity with spider bites.
REHS/RS, CCFS, CP-FS, PCQI
REHS/RS, CCFS, CP-FS, PCQI
REHS/RS, CCFS, CP-FS, PCQI
The Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential is the mark of excellence in environmental health. This credential empowers professionals to champion protecting vital community needs, such as clean air, safe food, and potable water. REHS/RS professionals are crucial in managing essential services
The Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS) credential is the mark of excellence in environmental health. This credential empowers professionals to champion protecting vital community needs, such as clean air, safe food, and potable water. REHS/RS professionals are crucial in managing essential services like sewage sanitation, hazardous material handling, vector control, and emergency response.
They lead and train teams to handle both routine and emergency situations and serve as educators, raising community awareness about pivotal environmental health issues. Their expertise is invaluable in ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental health regulations, making them key stakeholders in community safety. Through a rigorous combination of education and experience, aspiring candidates can earn this distinguished credential by passing a comprehensive written exam.
The Certified in Comprehensive Food Safety (CCFS) and Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) credentials signify a commitment to mastering every facet of food safety in facilities.
The role of Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQI) is critical. Each facility's PCQI and food safety team are responsible for ensuring that every product is safe for human consumption. Their dedication is essential in fostering a culture of safety and trust in our food systems. Embrace these opportunities to elevate community well-being and ensure a healthier future for all!