ABOUT
Joseph Okelo — The Accidental Farmer
Joseph Okelo is a dreamer — one who believes that the earth rewards those who nurture it with patience, care, and respect. He farms using organic and regenerative practices, guided by the belief that farming is not just about growing food, but about restoring balance between people and nature.
This is not his first foray into farming, but it is most certainly his last — not because he plans to stop, but because he never intends to. After years of trial, error, and resilience, Joseph has made farming a lifelong commitment — a craft he continues to refine, one season at a time.
The Lessons of Falling and Rising
Like many farmers, Joseph has known failure intimately. Crops that didn’t make it. Pests that refused to yield. Seasons that punished more than they rewarded. But he also knows a truth that every farmer eventually learns: success in farming isn’t avoiding failure — it’s getting up one more time than you fall.
Every setback became a lesson. Every mistake a chance to try again, better informed and more grounded. The result is a quiet confidence that only experience — and humility — can teach.
Where He Farms
Joseph grows fruits and vegetables in Athi River and Miwani, and tends a smaller kitchen garden at his home in Nairobi. Each location is both a classroom and a canvas — a place to experiment, observe, and share insights with others walking the same journey.
In addition to his crops, Joseph runs tree nurseries in Athi River and Miwani, focusing mainly on indigenous species that restore biodiversity and strengthen local ecosystems. His goal is to ensure that each tree planted today contributes to a more regenerative tomorrow.
A Regenerative Vision
For Joseph, farming is both personal and collective. He believes it must be worthwhile and workable — sustainable not only for the land but also for the people who depend on it. His work, through The Accidental Farmer Podcast, Joles Farm, and community collaborations, is rooted in this purpose: to make farming viable, hopeful, and full of life again.
Whether in conversation with fellow farmers or alone among his crops, Joseph’s philosophy remains constant:
"Farming isn’t just about growing food. It’s about growing yourself."
Join the Journey
Through The Accidental Farmer, Joseph invites others — from seasoned growers to curious beginners — to share stories, exchange knowledge, and keep learning from the land.
Because in the end, we are all accidental farmers — humbled by nature, shaped by failure, and strengthened by hope.