Form Your Farmer Group

Begin by identifying and mobilising approximately 10 smallholder farmers in your area who are motivated to transition from monoculture or degraded farming systems to restored ecosystem. Look for farmers facing common challenges such as soil erosion, declining water availability, reduced crop yields, or vulnerability to floods and droughts—these shared problems create natural motivation for collaborative restoration. Hold initial meetings to explain the Trees 4 All programme, its benefits for both environmental health and farm productivity, and the commitment required over 12 months of active implementation plus 3 years of monitoring. Assess each farmer's land to determine suitability for tree planting along field edges, availability of space for cover crops and diverse species, and potential for activities like stingless bee keeping that enhance biodiversity. Connect with RECOFTC Thailand to register your farmer group and begin the formal onboarding process. RECOFTC will help you understand programme requirements, timeline expectations, and the support you'll receive throughout implementation. Document your group's baseline conditions—current farming practices, soil quality, biodiversity levels—to measure progress over time.

Receive Training from RECOFTC

The programme includes at least three intensive field trainings over the 12-month period, teaching farmers how to plant native tree species along field edges that balance soil fertility and create ecosystem resilience, develop tree nurseries to produce seedlings for ongoing restoration, and raise stingless bees for honey and propolis production whilst supporting pollination. Training is hands-on and practical, taking place on actual farm plots so farmers can immediately apply what they learn. RECOFTC's experienced facilitators teach scientific methods whilst respecting traditional farming knowledge, helping farmers understand the 'why' behind each practice so they can adapt approaches to their specific contexts. Learn to use the digital monitoring system that will track every tree planted—farmers are trained on GPS data collection, mobile application use for submitting growth measurements, and understanding the online platform that displays their collective impact. This technological component transforms invisible restoration work into visible, measurable progress that builds farmer pride and external credibility.

Plant and Track Trees

Implement the tree planting phase with support from RECOFTC, which provides native tree seedlings suited to your area and guidance on optimal planting locations, timing, and techniques. Each farmer in the group typically plants approximately 100 trees. As trees are planted, use GPS devices to record the precise location of each one, creating a digital map of your restoration efforts. Every tree receives a unique identifier in the Trees for All online platform at trees4allthailand.org, where its growth will be tracked over three years. Take photographs of newly planted trees and upload them through the mobile application along with initial measurements. This digital tracking serves multiple purposes: it creates accountability and transparency for funders and supporters, allows farmers to visualise their collective impact across the restored areas, provides data for scientific analysis of restoration effectiveness, and builds a permanent record of environmental improvement. Beyond trees, establishing diverse plant species that improve soil health, and setting up stingless bee hives that will pollinate crops whilst producing valuable honey and propolis for additional income.

Develop Nurseries and Farm Inputs

Establish community tree nurseries with RECOFTC's technical support, creating sustainable sources of native seedlings for ongoing restoration beyond the initial planting period. Farmers learn propagation techniques including seed collection from healthy parent trees, germination methods, seedling care, and transplanting protocols. These nurseries serve triple purposes: providing seedlings for continued farm-level restoration, creating potential income through seedling sales to other farmers or organisations, and building deep farmer knowledge of native species ecology and growth requirements. RECOFTC provides initial inputs including seeds, growing containers, soil amendments, and protective structures, along with training on nursery management and record-keeping. Simultaneously, receive farm inputs such as cover crop seeds (peanuts, beans, or other nitrogen-fixing legumes), stingless bee colonies with hives, and materials for implementing regenerative agriculture practices. These inputs are strategic investments that demonstrate new approaches whilst farmers develop skills and see results. Regular farmer group meetings facilitated by RECOFTC allow participants to share experiences, troubleshoot challenges, celebrate successes, and learn from each other's experiments with different species, techniques, or locations.

Monitor and Sustain Impact

Commit to ongoing monitoring and data collection that tracks both tree growth and broader farm improvements over three years following the initial planting. Using the mobile application, farmers submit annual measurements including tree height, survival rates, and general health observations, along with updated photographs showing growth progress. This data flows into the Trees 4 All digital platform where the collective impact of thousands of trees becomes visible and measurable. Beyond individual tree tracking, monitor improvements such as soil quality changes (organic matter content, structure, water infiltration rates) and on-farm biodiversity including return of native plant species, insect populations, and bird activity, and livelihood impacts from diversified income sources like honey production, improved crop yields from better soil health. Participate in periodic assessments facilitated by RECOFTC where farmers share data, discuss challenges like tree mortality or pest issues, and collectively problem-solve.