Heifer envisions…
A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.

Heifer’s mission is…
To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.

Heifer’s strategy is…
To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring
with others – along with their knowledge, resources, and skills – an
expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that
reaches around the globe.

Heifer’s History
This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than
short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Today,
millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of
self-reliance and hope.

Read more about Heifer’s History.

Our Work

How Heifer does what it does

Behind our success is the hard work our field staff exerts so
that projects function effectively with the best environment for
project success. Scroll down to see our step by step process.

The steps are as follows:
1. Community groups approach Heifer International for help in setting up an animal or agriculture project.

2. Country program staff meet with applicants to make sure the group’s goals are compatible with Heifer’s mission and
that they have the capacity to carry out the project successfully.
Heifer staff and project participants go through a careful planning
process to decide which animals or crops would be most beneficial.

3. The project plans are submitted to the Heifer International headquarters for approval.

4. Before receiving their animals, project participants must first undergo rigorous training to learn about Heifer’s Cornerstones such
as gender equity and sharing and caring, which will guide them toward
just and sustainable development. For many participants, the training
is as important as the animals they receive.

5. Families build shelters and other facilities needed to keep animals
healthy. Often, families build zero-grazing facilities - airy pens with
elevated floors that keep animals with destructive grazing habits away
from valuable crops. They also may plant trees and grasses to be used
to feed their new animals.

6. Once families receive Heifer animals, they put their training to
use. Soon, eggs, milk and meat improve nutrition. Extra eggs and milk
can be sold to improve income, while animal manure fertilizes crops.
Bees produce honey, and trees, vegetables, fruit and other crops begin
to produce food, fuel and fibers. Water buffalo, oxen and camels
provide draft power that makes farming and transportation much easier.

7. It’s now time for project partners to pass on the gift of
self-reliance to others. Heifer recipients pass one one or more of
their animal’s offspring, training and skills to another family in
need. The new recipients agree to pass on the gift as well, creating a chain of giving that can touch thousands of lives.

8. Heifer project partners share stories of their successes with other groups. Project participants encourage others to seek Heifer’s help so that they, too, can become self-reliant.