Heifer Project International

Illustrations of farm animals in white over green globe. Green text on white background.

Starting in 1944, Dan West started Heifer International in an attempt to combat world hunger and poverty. The project was inspired by West’s experiences volunteering and feeding refugees from the Spanish Civil War. This experience made West see that giving food was not enough and hunger would still persist. The longer-term solution was to provide struggling families and communities with their own animals such as the cow or heifer. These animals can provide renewable sources of food that can lift communities out of hunger and poverty. Today, Heifer International continues outreach through programs with economic development, environmental sustainability, food security & nutrition, risk mitigation, and women's empowerment.