Heifer's Cornerstone Principles

Passing on the Gift allows families and individuals who have received animals to be donors themselves. This spirit of goodwill ripples through the community as animals are passed on and bonds are formed in a group effort to better their own lives.

Accountability allows for organization at the grassroots level. Community members decide together what kind of animal and assistance they would like. They also set goals, plan appropriate strategies to achieve those goals and evaluate their success.

Sharing & Caring embodies Heifer’s belief that global problems can be solved if all people are committed to sharing what they have and caring about others.

Sustainability & Self-reliance is necessary for the long-term success of projects. Heifer can only fund a project for a limited time so the families Heifer works with must plan to support themselves.

Improved Animal Management means that project participants learn how to keep their animals safe, healthy and productive through proper food, shelter, healthcare and reproductive management.

Nutrition & Income are the rewards Heifer expects recipients to reap from their gift animal through the consumption and/or sale of products such as milk, eggs, cheese, honey and wool.

Gender & Family Focus encourages women and men to share in decision making as well as in the benefits the animals and training bring.

Genuine Need & Justice ensures that those most in need are given priority in receiving animals and training.

Improving the Environment includes such agroecological techniques as improving soil fertility with animal manure, promoting forestation, respecting and encouraging biodiversity, monitoring watershed conditions and minimizing erosion.

Full Participation is expected in groups that Heifer works with. Leaders at the grassroots level should be committed to involving all members in decision making.

Training & Education include formal sessions as well as informal farm visits and demonstrations. Each project group decides on their own training needs and local people are involved as trainers. Some topics of education include human nutrition, food processing, marketing and leadership development.

Spirituality is expressed in common values, common beliefs about the value and meaning of all life, a sense of connectedness to the earth and a shared vision of the future. Heifer International works with people of all beliefs in our efforts to overcome poverty and hunger.

How does Heifer distribute the animals we purchase at the LGM?

Heifer's Steps to Sustainable Development

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.