The Model Parish approach was inspired and born out of METGE discussions in 2018 with community leaders across the Mount Elgon Region. This is a more holistic approach to tree planting and agro-forestry, working with smallholder farmers on a village scale and bringing them together to discuss issues, receive training and embrace tree planting within their communities. As well as the nursery operators, who are central to the functionality of this approach, METGE also employ ‘Community Facilitators’. These facilitators are respected members of the village, who have a good understanding of agro-forestry practices, and who are able to enthuse community members to embrace these holistic methods of growing trees and food.

In 2021, METGE began its Farmers Voice Radio methodology , to engage people outside the immediate reach of our tree nurseries, and also share knowledge about agro-forestry techniques. METGE and its implementing partners are working with our most passionate Model Parishes and have developed a system of radio ‘listener groups’. These are groups of people who have planted trees on their land and are now reaping the benefits. These radio shows are recorded on farms, and then played through Open Gate FM , which is a community based commercial radio station in Mbale. Open Gate FM broadcasts in Lumasaba, which is what most people in the region speak as their first language, making the programme ideal for reaching isolated areas within the Mount Elgon region.