1

ALPHA SENNON Agripreneur, Founder and Executive Director, WhyFarm (We Help
Youth Farm)

Course Name and Course Number: Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development

MGMT3089

Date: March 3rd, 2024

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Executive Summary 2

Analysis 3

“Characteristics and skill sets of a Social Entrepreneur” 4

“Characteristics of a Social Enterprise” 5

“Social Value through Innovation using the Triple Bottom Line” 5

“Systemic and sustainable behaviors and barriers in bringing about positive behaviors

changes” 6

“Sources of revenue generation and challenges and opportunities for funding” 7

Recommendations 7

Conclusion 9

References 10
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Executive Summary

Alpha Sennon, the founder of WhyFarm (We Help Youth Farm), is a social entrepreneur

from Trinidad who is reframing and marketing farming as an exciting, impactful career that

embraces STEM, innovation, and creativity through agri-edutainment (November, n.d.).

WhyFarm is a social enterprise that has been operating in Trinidad for the past eight years, with

programs elsewhere in the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa. WhyFarm is helping the youth

of Trinidad learn more about agriculture, food, and nutrition and how they can contribute to

Trinidad’s food security. WhyFarm aims to refocus the regional agricultural sector to prioritize

youth engagement. They are also dedicated to helping change negative stereotypes surrounding

agriculture and helping young people see it as a viable career option. Considering work, such

criticisms have consequences on the attractiveness of farming occupations and on the

rationalities attached with “becoming a farmer” (Dedieu et al., 2022). The purpose of this paper

is to explore the characteristics Alpha portrays as a social entrepreneur as well as the

characteristics of WhyFarm as a social enterprise. The findings will show how WhyFarm uses

the triple bottom line to create social value through innovation, the systemic and sustainable

behaviors they are trying to change, and the barriers they may face in bringing positive behaviour

changes. The sources of revenue as well as the challenges and opportunities for funding will also

be explored.

The analysis explained that Alpha demonstrates the characteristics of belief and has a healthy

impatience for his mission of breaking stereotypes in agriculture. It shows that WhyFarm is led

by that mission and engages in income-generating activities such as agripreneurship and agr-

edutainment to accomplish this mission. WhyFarm takes into consideration the people and planet

along with profit when crafting and implementing their programs. Sales of products and services,
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as well as donations and grants, are some of the sources of revenue that WhyFarm uses to drive

its mission and raise awareness about the opportunities that are found in agriculture.

It was recommended to WhyFarm that in order to achieve positive collective social change when

expanding to the Dominican market, they should develop solid relationships with local

communities and invest in youth empowerment and capacity building to help make a positive

social effect.
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Analysis

Alpha Sennon, the founder of WhyFarm (We Help Youth Farm), is a social entrepreneur

from Trinidad who is reframing and marketing farming as an exciting, impactful career.

WhyFarm was launched in Trinidad in October 2015 but has since entered the Caribbean, Latin

America, and Africa markets. WhyFarm is helping the youth of Trinidad learn more about

agriculture, food, and nutrition and how they can contribute to Trinidad’s food security. This

paper is going to explore the characteristics of a social entrepreneur and a social enterprise as it

applies to Alpha and WhyFarm. The findings will show how WhyFarm uses the triple bottom

line to create social value through innovation, the systemic and sustainable behaviors they are

trying to change, and the barriers they may face in bringing positive behaviour changes. The

sources of revenue as well as the challenges and opportunities for funding will also be explored.

“Characteristics and skill sets of a Social Entrepreneur”

When it comes to tackling societal issues and bringing about long-lasting change, social

entrepreneurship has grown in strength (Rizvi, 2023). Social entrepreneurs are becoming

increasingly influential in the process of creating solutions for various environmental and social

issues. However, in order to create these solutions, social entrepreneurs need to have certain

essential characteristics and skill sets (Mueller et al., 2013). In the case of Alpha, the key
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characteristics and skill sets he possessed were a belief, a passion, a stance, and a healthy

impatience.

Every person has the potential, skills, and abilities that can be used to better society as a whole.

This notion forms the foundation of the view that every human has the inherent ability to

meaningfully contribute to social and economic advancement. Regardless of upbringing or

circumstances, this point of view recognizes that every person has something valuable to offer

and the ability to positively impact society. For Alpha at WhyFarm, the next generation of

farmers is what will drive innovation and provide the world with sustainable food. Because of

the aging and growing global population, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the

United Nations predicts a 60% increase in food production by 2050 (Gostin et al., 2023). Today,

most food in the world is produced by elderly smallholder farmers in developing countries, many

of whom have little formal education. Alpha believes that the younger generation will provide

food security in the future because they are more imaginative, tech-savvy, and open to new ideas

than the older generation.

Alpha is motivated by a wish to change the unfavorable perceptions of farming that deter young

people from deciding to become farmers. Growing up in Trinidad, he never had any personal

connection to farming since he saw it as a metaphor of oppression rather than freedom. Young

people between the ages of three and thirty are the target audience for his "agripreneurship" and

"agri-edutainment" programs. WhyFarm uses entertainment to captivate youth and explain why

they would like to become farmers. Subsequently, it leverages this curiosity by providing

instructional initiatives that demonstrate how youth can engage, innovate within, and succeed in

the industry. Agriculture's sustainability, efficiency, and appeal to young people are increased

when more young people become agripreneurs.

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People frequently find that their options are limited by preexisting ideas when confronted with

societal issues. Thinking beyond the box and leveraging multimedia communication to promote

farming as an appealing career path to youth, Alpha adopted an innovative approach to help

dispel negative preconceptions around agriculture. To further aid in awareness-raising, WhyFarm

has partnered with significant players in a number of industries on a local and global level. One

instance of this kind of collaboration is the development of a digital agricultural roadmap for

Trinidadian farmers in conjunction with the FAO.

Alpha is a change agent that wants to put youth participation at the forefront of the region's

agriculture sector. His healthy impatience can be seen through WhyFarms scholastic and non

scholastic programs, which promote hands-on learning through farm visits, and also through its

farmer collective, which assists with market penetration.

“Characteristics of a Social Enterprise”

WhyFarm is a social enterprise that is leading an economic, social, cultural, and

environmental mission to eliminate the stigma of agriculture as a symbol of oppression. Through

their collaborations with other powerful organizations, they have developed into a source of

inspiration for the agriculture industry. Through educational initiatives and persistent marketing

campaigns, WhyFarm—whose target demographic is those under thirty—keeps spreading the

word about the value of agriculture on a local and global scale. Numerous international honors,

such as the Misk Global Challenge award from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, have

been given to Alpha in recognition of their work (Ewing-Chow, 2019).

WhyFarm carries out a variety of revenue-generating operations in order to achieve its goals.

One such instance is the Agripreneur Master-mind Program (AMPITUP), in which young
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farmers are given the task of developing a business plan to advance their product or service and

improve their abilities to innovate, secure funding, and manage it. The winners of AMPITUP get

a total of $50,000 in cash prizes, and their business plans are featured in the online WhyFarm

“Best Practices Road Map for Youth Engagement in Agriculture.” A total of 83% of the

participants mentioned that their operations and funding opportunities had grown.

A significant amount of WhyFarm's revenue comes from the programs it manages. Comic book

sales provide funding for the "agri-edutainment" program, whereas student enrolment funds the

"agripreneurship" program.

Creating social entrepreneurial programs inside nonprofit institutions is a difficult task

(Fitzgerald & Shepherd, 2018). WhyFarm is a non-profit social venture located in Trinidad that

pioneers agricultural entertainment while also promoting sustainable agriculture among young

people. Their purpose is to eliminate food insecurity in Trinidad and Tobago and encourage

sustainable agriculture among teenagers and children. They accomplish this by investing the

majority of their revenues back into their numerous innovative programs.

“Social Value through Innovation using the Triple Bottom Line”

The idea of generating social value through innovation has grown in significance in

today's society, and social companies are now expected to prioritize people and the planet over

just profits. Pioneering this movement by applying creative thinking to solve problems in

agriculture is the nonprofit social company WhyFarm.

WhyFarm's emphasis on people is demonstrated by its initiatives to provide farmers with

knowledge, tools, and assistance. Farmers are now more self-sufficient and have better lives as a
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result of this. In addition to helping individuals, this attention on people builds communities and

has a good social influence.

WhyFarm's commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable agricultural practices are

clear indicators of their concern for the environment. WhyFarm has contributed to lessening the

damaging effects of agriculture on the environment by supporting organic farming, cutting

waste, and safeguarding natural resources. This dedication to sustainability protects farming

methods for future generations as well as the environment.

WhyFarm has demonstrated financial success by utilizing an innovative approach to agriculture,

while maintaining a focus on people and the environment. (Grand Canyon University, 2021)

defines profit as the total good or negative effects of a business on the local, national, and

international economies. In addition to being crucial for the long-term viability of WhyFarm's

programs, this focus on profit also highlights the agricultural industry's potential for expansion

and economic progress.

“Systemic and sustainable behaviors and barriers in bringing about positive behaviors

changes”

WhyFarm is a social enterprise that uses creative approaches to solve the societal issue of

unfavorable stories about farming that deter young people from pursuing the career. In addition

to providing food security for rural populations, agriculture is seen as a major source of

employment (Henning et al., 2022). WhyFarm seeks to enhance food security and positively

impact the agriculture sector in the area by encouraging sustainable and systemic practices.
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Dependence on conventional agricultural practices is one of the main systemic behaviors that

WhyFarm is attempting to alter. Through encouraging the adoption of cutting-edge technologies

and environmentally friendly farming methods, they hope to boost productivity and efficiency in

the agricultural industry. This change guarantees the agriculture sector's long-term survival while

simultaneously contributing to environmental protection. The indifference of youth to

professions in agriculture is another behavior. WhyFarm is working to dispel negative

misconceptions about agriculture and encourage young people to consider it as a viable career

path by highlighting the prospects and advantages of a career in the field through its outreach and

educational programs.

WhyFarm might encounter a number of obstacles in its endeavor to promote constructive

behavioral modifications, even with the best of intentions. Lack of funding and resource

accessibility for small-scale farmers is one of the main obstacles. Farmers may find it difficult to

implement new techniques and technology without sufficient support, which could impede their

attempts to advance sustainability and innovation in the agricultural industry. Resistance to

departing from conventional practices could be another obstacle for WhyFarm. For concern that

they would upend established lifestyles or cast doubt on the conventional wisdom that has been

imparted to them, some young people may be reluctant to adopt new habits and technologies. By

using persuasive outreach programs and communication strategies to spread the word about the

advantages of best farming practices, WhyFarm is able to overcome this opposition.

Furthermore, environmental deterioration and climate change may present difficulties for

WhyFarm and have a substantial effect on the region's agricultural output and food security.

WhyFarm works to alleviate the effects of climate change and preserve the agriculture sector's

long-term sustainability by promoting sustainable practices and resilience-building techniques.

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Finally, youth disinterest could be a problem for WhyFarm because some may view it as a labor-

intensive profession with little return on investment. WhyFarm supports aspiring business

owners by helping them enter markets where they have unique supply ties through its

WHYFARMers Collective project. According to Alpha, not everyone has to become a farmer,

but they all need to understand why farming is necessary (HCC, 2020).

“Sources of revenue generation and challenges and opportunities for funding”

WhyFarm depends on a number of revenue-generating avenues to fulfill its objective.

Grants and donations from public and private entities constitute one of WhyFarm's main sources

of income. The implementation of new projects and initiatives, as well as the daily operations of

WhyFarm, depend on these donations.

Partnerships with other companies and organizations provide WhyFarm with more funding.

WhyFarm is able to obtain extra financing, resources, and experience through partnerships with

like-minded organizations. These alliances not only aid in revenue generation but also present

chances to broaden the scope and influence of WhyFarm's programs.

In spite of its diverse revenue streams, WhyFarm may encounter difficulties in obtaining

funding. A primary obstacle is the capriciousness of grant money, which can fluctuate annually

and might not consistently suffice to finance all of WhyFarm's endeavors. WhyFarm would find

it challenging to plan and carry out long-term programs and initiatives because of this financing

irregularity.
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Notwithstanding the obstacles, WhyFarm has financial opportunities. For instance, there are

chances for WhyFarm to obtain funding from foreign donors like IICA, CARDI, and FAO, to

mention a few, given the growing emphasis on sustainable agriculture and food security in the

global development agenda. WhyFarm may establish itself as an advantageous collaborator for

financing opportunities by coordinating its programs with these strategies.

Recommendations

Trinidad and Tobago-based WhyFarm is a social enterprise that has found success in

empowering youngsters and advancing sustainable agriculture. They have partnered with both

domestic and foreign groups since their October 2015 start, and they have won multiple honors

for the work they have completed so far. There are several factors that I would advise WhyFarm

to take into account in order to help accomplish positive collective social change in the

Dominican market, should they choose to expand there.

The agricultural industry of Dominica, dubbed the Caribbean's "nature island," produces

bananas, citrus fruits, coconuts, and cocoa. Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm, struck

Dominica directly on September 18, 2017, causing extensive damage throughout the island.

100% of the island's agricultural production was destroyed, according to the Caribbean Disaster

Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) (Rebuilding Dominica’s Agriculture Sector after

Hurricane Maria. – Caribbean Agricultural Research & Development Institute, n.d.).

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Additionally, aging farmers, disinterest in the industry among prospective workers, and labor

force emigration have all contributed to Dominica's labor shortage (Development of the

Agricultural Sector in Dominica by Strengthening Migration Governance, n.d.).

Developing solid relationships with local communities is one of the main recommendations for

WhyFarm in order to accomplish meaningful collective social change in Dominica. WhyFarm

can learn a great deal about the unique demands and difficulties that the local populace faces by

working with farmers, community leaders, and agricultural cooperatives. Through this

collaborative approach, WhyFarm will not only make sure that its programs are suited to the

needs of the community, but it will also help the locals develop a sense of sustainability and

ownership. In order to address development issues and create cooperative sustainability,

collaborations between development actors and agricultural cooperatives are essential (Alotaibi

& Kassem, 2022). WhyFarm is able to establish credibility and trust through these

collaborations, two things that are necessary for any social enterprise to succeed. In addition to

assisting them in navigating Dominica's sociocultural complexities, WhyFarm's dedication to the

community's well-being will guarantee that the island's residents support and welcome projects.

Investing in youth empowerment and capacity building is another crucial suggestion for

WhyFarm. With its emphasis on using agriculture to empower youth, WhyFarm can make a big

contribution to resolving the issues that Dominican adolescents face. WhyFarm can give young

people the tools they need to succeed in agriculture and make a positive impact on their

communities by offering training, mentorship, and access to resources.

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The involvement of young people in agribusiness is becoming more widely acknowledged as a

crucial tactic for generating job prospects (Ninson & Brobbey, 2023). In addition to assisting in

reducing poverty and promoting social engagement in the community, these chances will help to

address the high rates of youth unemployment. WhyFarm's youth-focused programs have the

potential to motivate the next generation of agricultural leaders to adopt sustainable methods and

make a positive social effect, which will help Dominica undergo positive change.

Conclusion

Social entrepreneurship has become increasingly influential in addressing societal issues and

promoting long-lasting change. Alpha Sennon, founder of WhyFarm, is focusing on promoting

farming as an exciting career that embraces STEM, innovation, and creativity through agri-

edutainment. WhyFarm is based in Trinidad and has programs in the Caribbean, Latin America,

and Africa. Alpha believes that the next generation of farmers will drive innovation and provide

sustainable food. The organization uses entertainment to captivate youth and provides

instructional initiatives that demonstrate how youth can engage, innovate, and succeed in the

industry. Alpha has partnered with major players in various industries to further aid in

awareness-raising. WhyFarm is leading an economic, social, cultural, and environmental mission

to eliminate the stigma of agriculture as a symbol of oppression. Through educational initiatives

and persistent marketing campaigns, the organization has spread the word about the value of

agriculture on a local and global scale. WhyFarm's revenue comes from various programs, such

the Agripreneur Master-mind Program (AMPITUP). Creating social entrepreneurial programs

within nonprofit institutions is challenging, but WhyFarm is pioneering agricultural

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entertainment and promoting sustainable agriculture among young people. Their goal is to

eliminate food insecurity in Trinidad and Tobago and encourage sustainable agriculture among

teenagers and children by investing the majority of their revenues back into their innovative

programs. WhyFarm focuses on generating social value through innovation in agriculture. They

provide farmers with knowledge, tools, and assistance, fostering self-sufficiency and community

development. They also prioritize environmental conservation and sustainable practices,

supporting organic farming, waste reduction, and natural resource protection. WhyFarm's

financial success is attributed to their innovative approach to agriculture, which aims to enhance

food security and positively impact the agriculture sector. To achieve their goals, WhyFarm

relies on grants and donations from public and private entities, as well as partnerships with other

organizations. These partnerships provide additional funding, resources, and experience,

allowing them to expand their programs and reach a wider audience. However, the

capriciousness of grant funding can be a significant obstacle, as it can fluctuate annually and not

consistently finance all of WhyFarm's endeavors. Despite these challenges, WhyFarm has

financial opportunities, such as securing funding from foreign donors like IICA, CARDI, and

FAO, which could help them establish themselves as an advantageous collaborator for financing

opportunities.
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References

Alotaibi, B. A., & Kassem, H. S. (2022). Analysis of partnerships between agricultural

cooperatives and development actors: A national survey in Saudi Arabia. PloS One, 17(6),

e0270574.

Dedieu, B., Contzen, S., Nettle, R., Schiavi, S. M. de A., & Sraïri, M. T. (2022). The multiple

influences on the future of work in agriculture: Global perspectives. Frontiers in

Sustainable Food Systems, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.889508

Development of the Agricultural Sector in Dominica by Strengthening Migration Governance.

(n.d.). International Organization for Migration. Retrieved February 27, 2024, from

https://www.iom.int/project/development-agricultural-sector-dominica-strengthening-

migration-governance

Ewing-Chow, D. (2019, March 31). WHYFARM’s Innovative “Agri-coolture” Recognized By

The Bill And Melinda Gates Foundation. Forbes Magazine.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2019/03/31/whyfarms-innovative-agri-

coolture-recognized-by-the-bill-and-melinda-gates-foundation/
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Fitzgerald, T., & Shepherd, D. (2018). Emerging Structures for Social Enterprises Within

Nonprofits: An Institutional Logics Perspective. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly,

47(3), 474–492.

Gostin, L. O., Klock, K. A., & Finch, A. (2023). Making the world safer and fairer in pandemics.

The Hastings Center Report, 53(6), 3–10.

Grand Canyon University. (2021, July 13). People, Planet, Profit: Looking at the Triple Bottom

Line. GCU. https://www.gcu.edu/blog/business-management/people-planet-profit-looking-

triple-bottom-line

HCC. (2020, August 15). WHYFARM - Shifting the Agricultural Focus to Youth. Healthy

Caribbean Coalition. https://www.healthycaribbean.org/whyfarm-shifting-the-agricultural-

focus-to-youth/

Henning, J. I. F., Matthews, N., August, M., & Madende, P. (2022). Youths’ Perceptions and

Aspiration towards Participating in the Agricultural Sector: A South African Case Study.

Social Sciences, 11(5), 215.

Mueller, S., Chambers, L., & Neck, H. (2013). THE DISTINCTIVE SKILLS OF SOCIAL

ENTREPRENEURS. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 21(03), 301–334.

Ninson, J., & Brobbey, M. K. (2023). “Review on engaging the youth in agribusiness.” Cogent

Social Sciences, 9(1), 2193480.

November. (n.d.). Alpha Sennon. Ashoka | Everyone a Changemaker. Retrieved February 28,

2024, from https://www.ashoka.org/en-us/story/alpha-sennon

Rebuilding Dominica’s agriculture sector after Hurricane Maria. – Caribbean Agricultural

Research & Development Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2024, from

https://www.cardi.org/blog/rebuilding-dominicas-agriculture-sector-after-hurricane-maria/
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Rizvi, H. (2023, May 18). What are the Characteristics of Social Entrepreneurship? Hidayat

Rizvi. https://hidayatrizvi.com/what-are-the-characteristics-of-social-entrepreneurship/