1. Buy a Water Buffalo
It’s OK if you don’t live on a farm—you buy it, or another animal, to help families living in poverty achieve self-reliance. Heifer’s water buffaloes, which sell for $250 each or $25 for a share, provide draft power for planting, milk for protein and manure for fertilizer and fuel to families in poor villages.

2. Tour Its Green Building
Heifer’s LEED Platinum headquarters features a 30,000-gallon rainwater collection tower and glass-encased stairwells cantilevered over water for passive cooling and ventilation, among other things. The free guided tours are designed to give you an in-depth look at the future of construction in an environmentally conscious world.

3. See the World
The Heifer Village shows visitors what life’s like around the world for populations less fortunate than our own. Inspiring interactive exhibits describe how individuals can help end hunger, poverty and environmental problems. It’s learning from the experts—in 2009, Heifer had 928 active projects in 54 countries and 28 U.S. states.

4. Shop with Purpose
Inside the village, Shop@Heifer carries products from around the world that are ethically sourced and artisan friendly. Each item has a story to tell about its origins and how it was made. And, a portion of the proceeds benefits Heifer’s mission of ending hunger and poverty while caring for the planet.

5. Grab a Bite
Café@Heifer boasts a beautiful setting, thanks to floor-to-ceiling glass walls and an enticing patio, and the delicious breakfast and lunch dishes come in large portions. The prices are affordable too—the classic grilled chicken Caesar salad is only $5.75 and the blackberry BBQ chicken sandwich is $6.75, for example. There’s also a $3.99 kids menu.