Revolutionizing Agriculture & Community: A Conversation with Siobhan Shaw

Hey there, I’m Ambika, and welcome to the 5th edition of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer)! 🌱

What if the key to a thriving future wasn’t just in technology but in the soil beneath our feet? 🌱 In this special edition, we spotlight a true force for change in agriculture—Siobhan Shaw, co-founder of Growing to Give® an organization tackling food security through agriculture. But that’s just one piece of her incredible journey. With a background in media, film, and community-building, she’s also the host and Co-producer of the health and wellbeing show ‘Feel Good Share Good,’ an author, and a champion for women in agriculture. Today, she shares her thoughts on the power of growing food, the future of sustainable farming, and how each of us can make a difference.

From revolutionizing urban farming to empowering women in agriculture, Siobhan’s work is reshaping how we think about food, technology, and community resilience. She has been shortlisted for the Food Planet Prize 2024, and her Crop Circles® innovation is proving that high-yield, low-water farming can thrive even in resource-limited environments. Today, she shares her journey, insights on sustainable farming, and her call to action for policymakers, tech innovators, and future farmers.

This edition is dedicated to her journey, insights, and why we need more people championing food security today.

🌿 Exclusive Interview with Siobhan Shaw

Q: Growing to Give® has been recognized globally, even being shortlisted for the Food Planet Prize 2024. What inspired you to launch Growing to Give®, and how has it evolved to tackle food security?

Siobhan: Growing to Give was born from a bold goal: to revolutionize how we grow food and build resilient communities in a world facing chaotic weather patterns, overload of chemicals and pesticides, natural disasters, diminishing access to land and water, equity barriers, and rising financial barriers. Witnessing firsthand the vulnerabilities in our food systems—especially for low-income and climate-vulnerable communities—was a wake-up call.

My connection to agriculture runs deep—I grew up on a farm, watching my mother work tirelessly as a farmer. Her grit, ingenuity, and passion for growing food and raising livestock sparked my own love for the land and inspired me to seek solutions to the challenges our food systems face today. Our personal food security struggles later in life lit the fire to find innovative solutions for communities in need.

From experimenting with tomato volcanoes and spiral gardens in our early days to being shortlisted for the Food Planet Prize and partnering with Christopher Macy to create America’s largest food forest in Phoenix, our journey has been one of passion, innovation, and relentless learning. Along the way, we’ve built connections with visionaries and volunteers worldwide who share our mission. Today, Growing to Give empowers communities to grow food almost anywhere using high-yield, low-water systems, paired with education and mentorship that not only feed people but also inspire resilience and hope.

Q: How does your psychology background influence your approach to building resilient agricultural communities?

Siobhan: Psychology taught me to look beneath the surface—at motivations, unspoken dynamics, and the energy people bring to a community. I’ve always gravitated toward people-centric work, becoming a personal growth writer over 20 years ago and continuing to explore health, well-being, and self-development to this day in addition to my agriculture career.

Building resilient agricultural communities is about more than growing plants; it’s about nurturing human connections and fostering well-being. A well-nourished community isn’t just fed physically—it’s fed emotionally. One of my favorite memories is harvesting yellow beans with volunteers on one of our spiral farms. I spoke with a man who, unbeknownst to anyone, had been in a dark place and contemplating ending his life. Reluctantly, he had shown up to help. By the end of the day, after working side by side in the open air and sharing stories, he admitted he was glad he came—and glad he was still here.

Moments like that remind me that farming is healing—not just for the earth but for the soul. When communities unite to combat hunger, the magic of collaboration fosters resilience, empowerment, and growth for all.

Q: Can you explain how Crop Circles® is revolutionizing urban farming?

Siobhan: Crop Circles are my husband John Kendall’s love letter to both innovation and nature. Imagine a spiral garden—a design nature loves for its efficiency and beauty—equipped with near-zero-water irrigation and all-natural fertilizers. These systems grow high-yield, nutrient-dense crops while using fewer resources and less labor.

In Cleveland, for instance, we’re working with a group of women revitalizing abandoned lots and transforming them into vibrant, productive food spaces. Week by week, they’re reclaiming their city and creating a legacy of health and sustainability.

Urban agriculture faces immense challenges—climate chaos, soaring food prices, and neglected land—but Crop Circles are proof that innovation can meet these challenges head-on. They turn forgotten spaces into flourishing ecosystems that nourish both people and communities.

Q: How is technology shaping the future of sustainable farming?

Siobhan: AI and IoT are revolutionizing farming in thrilling ways. Picture sensors that measure exactly how much water your plants need or AI that predicts weather patterns to optimize planting schedules. These tools empower farmers to make smarter, more resource-efficient decisions.

What excites me most is how precision agriculture is transforming small-scale and urban farming. Every piece of land is unique, —there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. I’ve seen firsthand how tailored approaches can unlock a garden’s potential. At Growing to Give, some of the systems we employ like Crop Circles don’t use wired in or wireless tech at all — we can’t rely on the electrical grid or battery storage to protect our food growing -- but ingenuity of design to work in unison with Mother Nature. I've seen harvests 4 to 10 times the yield of traditional methods. That kind of innovation is life-changing.

Q: Through initiatives like Strengthening Community Gardens and Kichini Gardeners, you’ve improved lives across continents. What policies or partnerships are crucial for scaling global food security efforts?

Siobhan: Scaling change takes a village—or rather, a network of villages! It begins with putting communities in the center. Policies supporting land access, equitable water use, eliminating chemicals and pesticides that damage ecosystems and negatively affect people’s health and funding for both urban and rural agriculture are critical, but partnerships are where real magic happens.

For example, in Kampala, Uganda, we’ve partnered with Kichini Gardeners to transform vacant spaces into thriving community gardens. Thanks to platforms like Zoom, I collaborate regularly with Irene Nagudi, founder of Kichini Gardeners and our partner on the ground, without ever meeting in person. These virtual connections turn ideas into action, proving that global partnerships can achieve extraordinary results.

Q: How can IT professionals contribute to agricultural innovation?

Siobhan: Tech professionals, agriculture needs you! From developing farmer-friendly apps to improving supply chain transparency with blockchain, the opportunities are endless. One particularly exciting area is open-source platforms for sharing agricultural data, connecting farmers globally with scalable solutions. I think the most important thing It professionals can do is think of what happens when the power grid goes down and no amount of software can grow tomatoes. How do we remain tethered to non mechanical, non tech solutions? Teaching the ways of our ancestors and incorporating that into our farming practices will mean we always have a fall back position.

Collaboration is key—pairing tech expertise with on-the-ground agricultural challenges creates real, impactful change.

Q: You’re a champion for women in agriculture. Can you share an example of a program or initiative you’ve led or supported that empowered women in this field?

Siobhan: One of my favorite initiatives is my Women in Agriculture newsletter, which has evolved into a thriving support network. I’m encouraged by newsletter I write, which is evolving into a supportive community for networking, mentorship, and collaboration. Through webinars, breakout sessions, and storytelling, we have met and built relationships. We feel seen, heard, and empowered by one another. I’ve witnessed incredible transformations: one woman rebuilt her life after a devastating storm to lead a climate justice nonprofit.

Another, who once didn’t know how to grow a tomato, now spearheads community gardens in her city. A widow found healing and purpose harvesting for her community. These aren’t just success stories—they’re lifelines, proving that when women unite, the impossible becomes achievable (especially if pie is involved).

Q: What advice would you give to young women entering agriculture or ag-tech especially in regions where they may face social or economic barriers?

Siobhan:

🌟Start small, dream big, and never lose sight of your purpose.

🌟Don’t wait for perfect resources—just begin.

🌟Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision.

🌟Authenticity is your greatest asset.

The world doesn’t need more people chasing profit; it needs people chasing purpose. Agriculture is hard work, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Your innovation, perspective, and grit are exactly what this field needs.

And remember: you’re not alone. There’s a global community of women ready to lift you up. Seek mentors, build networks, and let no barrier define you—smash it. Like growing food, success takes time, nurturing, and resilience. Remember, every great harvest starts with a heirloom single seed. Plant yours boldly!

Q: You’ve been described as a “team player and bridge builder.” How do you seek collaboration across diverse stakeholders to drive impactful agricultural projects?

Siobhan: Collaboration is like compost—it requires diverse elements to create something transformative. I start by listening—gathering the unique insights and needs of all stakeholders. Once aligned, I guide conversations, encourage independence in action, and rally the right mix of people and resources. Whether it’s farmers, policymakers, volunteers, networkers, or tech innovators, I focus on the shared goals and the bigger picture. When the right minds and efforts come together, it’s incredible what can grow.

Q: Many call you a pioneer in agriculture and community development. What leadership lessons have you learned from balancing innovation, sustainability, and community needs?

Siobhan: I appreciate being called a pioneer, especially since it’s in my DNA. My ancestors were pioneers—both indigenous people who arrived here some 12,000 years ago and Europeans who took dangerous journeys to find a safe home, free from persecution, find freedom, and to build lasting legacies. Leadership, for me, is rooted in freedom and listening—truly understanding the challenges on the ground and the dreams in people’s hearts. Balancing innovation, sustainability, and community needs requires flexibility, transparency, and staying grounded in our core mission: making a positive impact. It’s about crafting solutions that honor the past while embracing the future, always keeping the community at the center. The key is remembering that, like my ancestors, we are building legacies—one that will live on for generations to come.

Q: Your experience as a host and producer has amplified important messages about agriculture and community. How has storytelling helped build support for your initiatives?

Siobhan: Storytelling is the secret sauce of advocacy! People connect with stories, not statistics. Our team will tell you I get anxious when I have to deal with numbers and statistics but hearing about someone's life story I’m all ears. By sharing the triumphs, struggles, and passion behind Growing to Give, we’ve inspired a wide range of supporters—donors, volunteers, and policymakers. Whether it’s a family transforming their backyard into a productive garden or a community reclaiming unused land, a leader of a country reaching out to find out when we are coming to help rebuild their community's agriculture, stories ignite hope, spark action, and build a sense of shared purpose. And when that happens, momentum grows.

Q: If you could leave policymakers and tech innovators with one call to action, what would it be?

Siobhan: Listen to the land. Listen to the communities. Then use your leadership, resources and creativity to meet their needs—don’t impose top-down solutions. You don’t know what's best if you have never farmed the land. Go spend time working on a farm so you understand the battle farmers have to win every day to put food on your table. The future of sustainable agriculture is in the hands of local communities, and if we support them, we all thrive.

Invest in the roots. We need policies and technologies that empower local farmers, support and mentor women in farming, save the family farm from development, conserve resources, regenerate soil health, teach the youth how to grow and preserve food, and find a healthy balance between innovation and good old-fashioned hard work.

Food security isn’t just about cutting-edge tech—it’s about nurturing the foundational elements of our food systems.

I think about my first European ancestor who came over 380 years ago to what would become Massachusetts, seeking a better life and self-sufficiency. He built a farm, raised a family, and left behind 300 acres before the United States even became a republic—a legacy of long-term vision. Farming is in my DNA, and with community, we can build a lasting legacy that will benefit generations to come. Let’s grow a future where every belly is full, every field thrives, and every community is resilient.

🌟 Gratitude

Siobhan Shaw’s journey proves that innovation, tradition, and community-driven action can reshape our food systems. Her work reminds us that the future of agriculture isn’t just in new technologies—it’s in reconnecting with the land, each other, and our shared responsibility to feed the world.

A huge thank you to Siobhan Shaw for sharing her time and wisdom with us! She is one of the first subscribers to this newsletter and since then has been a huge source of inspiration behind my newsletter. This conversation left me inspired, and I hope it does the same for you. What resonated most with you? Hit reply and let me know!

💡 Get involved in Siobhan’s work by following her projects here:

🌱Support Growing to Give® 

📥Stay inspired by subscribing to the Women in Agriculture Newsletter on LinkedIn—delivered monthly with fresh insights and stories!

📢 Learn more about Siobhan and John Kendall’s groundbreaking patented work at Crop Circles here.

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Can’t wait to connect again next week! Until then, keep championing sustainability and resilience in everything you do. 🌱✨