Ode Magazine writes of the inspiring efforts of TEDGlobal Fellow and agriculture activist Thomas George to build fair-play marketplaces for poor farmers in Kenya. His organization, Vipani, is a resource for workers on small farms — people without credit, connections or know-how — to access networks of other farmers, buyers, suppliers and lenders.

George’s work — which he plans to expand to Rwanda and Uganda — will resonate with fans of Eleni Gabre-Madhin, who spoke on Ethiopian commodities markets at TEDGlobal Africa in 2007, and Iqbal Quadir, who talked about empowering communities by connecting farmers with mobile phones.

“A thriving rural economy,” says George, “will benefit not only farmers, but everyone in the community.” — Matthew Trost