Erna has worked in the NGO sector for the last 28 years as a rural development facilitator. She has a passion for systems and integrating people, agriculture and nature and has gained expertise in participatory learning and implementation methodologies, agroecology, catchment management and rainwater harvesting, organic production, grazing management systems and microfinance mechanisms. Mahlathini Development Foundation was founded in 2003 and focuses on integration of research, learning and implementation in sustainable agroecological systems. Present focus areas include promotion of appropriate conservation agriculture (CA) processes within the whole gain value chain for smallholder farmers in SA; learning and implementation around climate smart agriculture (CSA), including assessment of impact of these practices and processes on rural livelihoods and development of a decision support process for smallholder farmers. Building capacity and learning networks within the sector is an important component.