Bomet, Kenya – At a time when many teachers struggle to survive on a single pay slip, juggling food costs, school fees, and the rising cost of living, one young educator from Bomet County is rewriting the story.
Cosmas Yegon Annan, popularly known as “The Farming Teacher,” has proved that it is possible to excel in the classroom while successfully running a side business without compromising one’s duties.
Cosmas, 32, teaches Kiswahili and History at Ndaraweta Girls’ Secondary School. Yet outside the classroom, he is also a thriving agripreneur who has built one of the most promising seedling propagation farms in the region.
“I have been teaching for six years, and every day reminds me why I chose this path,” he says. “Growing up, I saw how a single teacher’s encouragement could change everything for a young person. That experience made me want to be a teacher who not only delivers lessons but walks with learners and helps them discover who they can become.”
Cosmas owns two farming projects: a greenhouse nursery specialising in seedling propagation and a two-acre farm where he grows short-season crops, including potatoes, capsicum, traditional vegetables such as managu, and cabbage.
He has branded his agribusiness Way Top Farm and Nurseries, which is based in Bomet Town. His nursery propagates high-quality vegetable seedlings, offering farmers reliable access to certified varieties such as tomatoes, onions, spinach, and Gloria F1 cabbage. The farm supplies customers across the country.
WayTop Farm now has two branches, one along the Bomet–Longisa Highway, opposite AGC Riverside, and another in Ndaraweta, Bondet.
Cosmas ventured into farming with the desire to offer practical solutions beyond the classroom. He also wanted a sustainable extra income and an opportunity to create jobs for young people.
“I started my farming journey shortly after getting employed by TSC in 2019,” he recalls. “I began with dairy cows, then moved to maize farming. Each step taught me something new. But when I ventured into seedling propagation, everything changed. That was my turning point, the moment my efforts finally began to bear real results.”
Balancing chalk and soil
Cosmas describes his routine as a careful balance of two passions.
“My day starts early,” he says. “I check moisture levels in the greenhouses, give instructions to my team, then head to school. Once I’m in class, my full focus is on teaching. After lessons, I stop by the farm again to monitor progress, handle customers, or plan the next production cycle. Evenings are for record-keeping and preparing for the next day.”
Though demanding, this blend of teaching and farming gives him energy and purpose.
To ensure consistent results, he uses a mix of modern and practical farming techniques. These include:
- Greenhouse structures to protect delicate seedlings
- Irrigation systems to maintain steady moisture
- Digital tools for record-keeping, communication, and tracking market trends
These methods, he says, have improved efficiency, organisation, and reliability in production.
Like many farmers, Cosmas faces challenges: unpredictable weather, prolonged dry spells, pests, diseases, and occasional poor germination. Managing people and balancing time between two careers also demands strict discipline.
“But every challenge pushes me to innovate and grow,” he says.
He believes his teaching skills, planning, problem-solving, discipline, and creativity have made him a better farmer.
Farming that transforms lives
Farming has changed Cosmas’s life in ways he never imagined.
“Financially, farming has helped me earn extra income and even buy my car, something that would have taken much longer if I depended only on my salary,” he says.
Mentally, the work keeps him sharp and constantly learning. Socially, it has connected him with farmers and agripreneurs across the region. Professionally, it has sharpened his leadership and management skills, qualities he brings back into the classroom
Cosmas believes many young people avoid agriculture because they see it as hard work with uncertain results. Others lack exposure to modern methods that make farming more productive.
His advice to youth and fellow teachers is simple: start small, stay consistent, and embrace innovation.
“Farming is a real opportunity,” he says. “With planning and persistence, you can earn, create jobs, and open doors you never imagined. Agriculture is not a last option; it can be a powerful stepping stone to success.”
Cosmas Yegon’s story is a reminder that with passion, discipline, and vision, one can teach, farm, and thrive, proving to young people and professionals alike that the future belongs to those who are willing to do more than one thing and do it well.
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