Umut is a Kazakhstani farmer whose inspiring journey models the power of new opportunities and knowledge.

Before he met the specialists from Reclaim, his family grew alfalfa and corn. “But there was virtually no profit in those.”

A village lottery sponsored by Reclaim resulted in his father being granted five hundred trees to start an orchard.

Since then, Umut has expanded the orchard, growing new fruit varieties. He now has 1,800 trees.

His family has transformed from uncertain farming to established, secure orchardists—a journey to true independence.

“We always have work. My family, my finances, and my future are stable. We are independent. When you work for someone else, you could lose your job. But when you have your own land, your own orchard, you always have work.”

The work has given Umut a sense of dignity and accomplishment.

He feels proud of his life, his work, and the ways he helps others. "I am so blessed," he says.

His son is pursuing a law degree, and his daughter is also attending college.

Over the years, Umut learned pruning techniques, pest management, and other tools to maximize his harvest.

Umut learned quickly, becoming a Training Program Manager for Reclaim before returning to manage his expanding orchards. He remains a close consultant with Patrick, frequently sharing ideas to improve local orchards.

“We chat and share experiences often, then we pass ideas to others.”

He is an expert in Pest Management and has trained nearly 200 men in the region, and some have even become trainers themselves, expanding the educational reach.

The main training tool is the Ten Commandments of Pruning, developed by Patrick Brady.

The two test different methods and crops, experimenting to improve the future of the orchards in the area.

“And we talk about bugs, too,” Umut laughs.

Pest management is vital for healthy crops.

No worms. We take that for granted when we go to the grocery store. However, worms in apples were the standard in stores before Reclaim arrived here in Kazakhstan. They introduced a method called "mating disruption," which uses synthetic pheromones. The female moth scents are distributed, and the males can’t find real females, so they don't produce offspring.

Umut and Reclaim helped employ it to other, bigger orchards and it's became standard practice. Patrick estimates the method is used on at least several hundred thousand trees throughout Kazakhstan.