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Stephanie Meltus: From Farm Girl to Agri-Tech Innovator

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Stephanie Meltus grew up in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria, surrounded by the rhythm of life on a farm. Her childhood was filled with the sounds of animals, the smell of soil, and the sight of plants growing. Even as a child, she was drawn to the magic of nurturing life from the ground. At just 14 or 15 years old, she planted her first maize crop. Though she didn’t get to harvest it—thanks to an overly curious family dog—the experience ignited a passion that would shape her destiny.

“I remember watching that maize grow,” Stephanie recalls with a laugh. “Even though I didn’t get to harvest it, the process taught me patience and the beauty of nurturing life.”

Stephanie’s love for farming grew alongside her. Watching her parents cultivate crops and maintain their small farm inspired her, but it also revealed the challenges that farmers faced. Losses, setbacks, and uncertainties were part of the journey, and Stephanie’s curious mind began to search for solutions. As she advanced in school, her interest in finding innovative ways to overcome these challenges deepened.

Co-Founding Green Eden Farms

Today, Stephanie Meltus is the CEO and co-founder of Green Eden Farms, an enterprise designed to revolutionize the agriculture and food production industry in sub-Saharan Africa. She co-founded the company with Theophilus Maimako in 2020. The company leverages improved farm practices, new technology, and data-driven techniques for crop production and farming. Stephanie’s upbringing gave her firsthand insight into the struggles of subsistence farmers who couldn’t afford advanced tools or technologies to safeguard their livelihoods. Green Eden Farms was born out of a desire to bridge this gap, combining innovation and sustainability to create lasting solutions.

“Green Eden Farms is not just a company,” Stephanie explains. “It’s a vision—a dream to empower smallholder farmers and show them that they can thrive, no matter the challenges they face.”

The company developed a farm monitoring system leveraging IoT technology to oversee conditions in their greenhouses. By doing so, they’ve managed to reduce costs, produce healthier food, and improve efficiency in the farming process. An agric tech company that empowers smallholder farmers with their innovative technology, Green Eden Farms delivers real-time data to the farmer, with AI modeling called Scaregrow. For Stephanie, it’s not just about staying ahead in the game; it’s about fostering growth—real, measurable growth that benefits farmers and the environment alike.

“We’re not just innovating for the sake of it,” she says. “Our focus is on creating real impact—impact that you can see in the lives of the farmers we work with and in the quality of the food produced.”

Recognition and Achievements

Stephanie’s journey has been marked by significant milestones, but what she cherishes most are the people she’s met along the way. For her, meeting like-minded individuals who share her vision is more valuable than any award or recognition. These connections fuel her determination and remind her that collective voices are stronger than one. Together, they form a powerful force for change, standing united to tackle the challenges of the agricultural sector.

“The people I’ve met along the way inspire me every day,” Stephanie shares. “It’s their passion and commitment that remind me why I started this journey in the first place.”

Green Eden Farms’ rise has been steady, marked by accolades that validate their work. In March of the previous year, they won a prize for innovation in Nigeria. By July, they were among the winners of the Heifer International Challenge, and they had also clinched the Youth Adapt Prize, sponsored by AFDB. These achievements opened doors to a broader audience and solidified their reputation as a capable and impactful company.

But Stephanie’s work doesn’t stop at innovation. She’s passionate about empowering youth, a mission she pursues through various projects aimed at building skills and creating opportunities. Her philosophy is simple: if impact doesn’t exist, create it. She has turned her challenges into stepping stones, using them to climb higher and inspire others to do the same. To her, success is about character and the ability to persevere, and she’s a firm believer that women can achieve anything they set their minds to, no matter the obstacles.

“I want young girls to see that there are no limits,” she says passionately. “You can be whatever you want to be, wherever you want to be. Restrictions are just constructs of the mind.”

A Multifaceted Entrepreneur Thriving as a Young Woman in Agriculture

As a 21-year-old woman in a male-dominated field, Stephanie has faced her share of challenges. Skepticism and whispers of doubt often follow her, with some assuming that farming is not a space for women or that her youth makes her less capable. Yet, she’s proven time and again that passion, drive, and the right mindset can break through any barriers. She’s also embraced continuous learning, ensuring she stays ahead by exploring new areas like black soldier flies and biogas from compost—fields she hopes to delve into soon.

“Yes, I’m young, and yes, I’m a woman,” she states. “But that doesn’t mean I’m any less capable. In fact, it drives me to prove that with the right tools and mindset, nothing is impossible.”

Beyond farming, Stephanie is a multifaceted individual. She’s a pharmacy student, tailor, consultant, virtual assistant, baker, and writer. Her weekends are often spent penning her thoughts, reflecting her deep love for storytelling. She took up roles like being a virtual assistant to learn from other CEOs and industries, bringing those lessons back to enrich her own work. Hands-on learning is her mantra, and she applies it to every aspect of her life.

“I’ve always believed in learning by doing,” she says. “Every role I’ve taken on has taught me something new, and I bring those lessons into everything I do.”

Lessons in Leadership and Business

One of the most significant lessons Stephanie has learned as an entrepreneur is the importance of legal agreements and clear terms in business dealings. Negotiation, she’s found, is a skill that can make or break opportunities. These lessons, along with her resilience and adaptability, have shaped her into a formidable leader.

Stephanie Meltus is more than a farmer; she’s a storyteller, a trailblazer, and an advocate for growth—both for people and the planet. She’s showing the world that greatness can come from humble beginnings and that with passion, purpose, and perseverance, you can cultivate something extraordinary. Her message is clear: dream big, work hard, and let nothing hold you back.

“Dream big,” Stephanie urges. “Start small, but never stop. The journey may be tough, but the rewards are worth every step.”

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