World Potato Congress Launches 'Growing the Future' Youth Legacy Program for Kenya WPC 2026

The World Potato Congress (WPC) has launched the WPC 2026 Youth Engagement & 4K Club Program, a new legacy initiative aimed at equipping young people in Kenya with practical agricultural skills while helping address food insecurity and build a stronger future for the country’s food systems. 

The initiative, known as “Growing the Future,” is being delivered as part of the legacy of the 13th World Potato Congress, which will bring the global potato community to Kenya in October 2026.

Young participants gather at FreshCrop Farm in Kenya for hands-on potato production training as part of the WPC 2026 ‘Growing the Future’ Youth Legacy Program.

The World Potato Congress Inc. and the WPC 2026 Local Organizing Committee said the program is designed to create a meaningful and lasting legacy in Kenya by giving young people opportunities to learn about potato production, sustainability and the wider agricultural value chain. 

The program brings together 40 4K Club members from Nairobi and Nakuru Counties, connecting young people from urban and rural communities and creating a bridge between agricultural production and food consumption.

40 young participants and 10 school demonstration plots

The 40 participants represent 10 participating 4K Club schools in Nakuru County. They are taking part in a demonstration plot and capacity-building program, working alongside agricultural specialists to develop practical skills in potato production and sustainable agriculture.

4K Club members plant potatoes at FreshCrop Farm in Kenya.

Training covers land preparation, certified seed production, soil health management, integrated pest control, agricultural record-keeping and Good Agricultural Practices. 

In late July, the participants gathered at FreshCrop Farm to learn about potato production and begin the planting process.

Ashley Gasperi of FreshCrop:

"In late July, participants gathered at FreshCrop Farm to learn about potato production and kick off the planting process."

"We are deeply grateful for the support of the national Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MOALF), the Nakuru County Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services (MOALF), the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK), and KALRO. We also appreciate our partnership with the NGO Teens Voice Africa and media partner Akili Kids, alongside the many seed, fertilizer, and crop protection companies empowering youth with hands-on agricultural knowledge and skills."

The initiative therefore brings together government agencies, agricultural research institutions, industry companies, youth organizations and media partners to give participants exposure to different aspects of the agricultural sector.

4K Club members plant potatoes at FreshCrop Farm in Kenya, gaining hands-on experience in potato production through the WPC 2026 ‘Growing the Future’ Youth Legacy Program.

Connecting Kenyan youth with the global potato industry

The program will also provide selected participants with an opportunity to engage directly with the international potato community during WPC 2026.

Selected participants will join international delegates at the main World Potato Congress, experience the exhibition and the Youth & Women Session, and connect with organizations and leaders from across the global potato industry. 

All 40 participants will then come together at the WPC 2026 Farmers Field Day at FreshCrop on Thursday, 29 October. 

The initiative is built around the belief that strengthening agricultural knowledge among young people can contribute to stronger food systems and greater opportunities for future generations.

The World Potato Congress emphasized that investing in young people means investing in the future of food systems.

WPC Inc. Executive Director Ellen Kouwenberg said the organization became interested in Kenya's 4K program during a recent visit to the country.

Ellen Kouwenberg, Executive Director of the World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC Inc.):

"During our recent visit to Kenya, we were excited to learn about the 4K program and brainstormed how we might engage youth in learning how to grow potatoes and other crops. Similar to 4-H, a youth program active in North America, Europe, and other regions, the Kenya 4K program is a school-based agricultural initiative focused on both practical skill development and community service."

"Many of the WPC Inc. Sustaining Partners and Congress supporters are familiar with this agriculture program for youth. This initiative is a first step and will aid in alleviating hunger and provide a source of income for families and communities. We hope to leave an ongoing legacy in Kenya and continue with this program at future World Potato Congress events."

Five competition categories

As part of the program, the 4K youth will have the opportunity to showcase their creativity, knowledge and practical agricultural skills through five competition categories.

The categories are:

• Best Nutrition Promotion Video 
• Best Potato Dish Video 
• Best Artwork 
• Best Demonstration Plot 
• Best Agricultural Record-Keeping

The competition is intended to encourage participants to communicate what they have learned while demonstrating their understanding of agriculture, nutrition, potato production and good farming practices.

40 members. 40 trees. One lasting legacy

The ambition of the initiative extends beyond the 2026 Congress.

Performance, leadership and engagement throughout the program will provide a potential pathway towards selection as WPC Youth Ambassadors for the 14th World Potato Congress in Belgium in 2028, subject to sponsorship and a competitive selection process. 

Each participant will also plant a commemorative tree, resulting in 40 trees that will serve as a living reminder of WPC 2026 and the program's commitment to young people, sustainability, the 4K program and the future of agriculture in Kenya. 

The tree-planting initiative adds an environmental dimension to the program while creating a physical legacy that will remain beyond the Congress itself.

Building the next generation of agricultural leaders

The future of the potato industry depends on the knowledge, creativity and leadership of the next generation.

Through the “Growing the Future” Legacy Program, WPC 2026 is giving young people an opportunity to learn, participate and experience first-hand the potential of agriculture and the potato value chain.

The program also aims to expose participants to the wider opportunities available in agriculture, from farming and research to innovation, entrepreneurship, nutrition and food-system development.

WPC 2026 invites organizations to support young participants

The World Potato Congress is also inviting organizations participating in WPC 2026 to support the Congress Legacy Program through bursary funding.

Bursary support will help remove financial barriers to participation and allow more young people to experience the World Potato Congress, engage directly with international industry leaders and gain practical knowledge and inspiration that they can take back to their schools and communities.

The organizers say supporting a young participant represents a direct investment in the next generation of growers, innovators, entrepreneurs and food-system leaders.

The appeal comes as WPC 2026 prepares to bring together the global potato community in Kenya this October, including industry leaders, growers, researchers, policymakers, businesses and development organizations.

Participants at the Congress will have an opportunity to connect with the young people taking part in the program, share knowledge and experience, and help inspire the next generation to explore opportunities across agriculture and the potato value chain.

A legacy intended to continue beyond Kenya 2026

The WPC says the “Growing the Future” initiative is intended to become more than a one-time youth engagement activity.

With 40 young participants, two counties, 10 school demonstration plots, five competition categories and 40 commemorative trees, the program is designed to establish a foundation for continued youth engagement at future World Potato Congress events. 

For the organizers, the goal is to ensure that the benefits of WPC 2026 extend beyond the Congress itself — reaching schools, families and communities while encouraging young people to see agriculture as a field offering opportunities for leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and food security. 

Organizations interested in supporting the program through bursary funding can contact partners@wpc2026kenya.com. 

The World Potato Congress is calling on partners and participants to help open the doors to more young leaders and contribute to a lasting agricultural legacy in Kenya.