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To: Bluedot Living
From: Sustainable Harvest International
Subject: How to Grow Food and Restore Forests
The overuse of harmful chemicals, monocultures (the cultivation of a single crop in a given area), and slash-and-burn techniques are a few of the agricultural practices that degrade vital ecosystems across the globe, including tropical forests in Central America. Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) works with family farmers in Central America to reverse this damage.
Through regenerative agricultural practices that restore soil health, preserve biodiversity, and regrow forests, SHI helps families maintain their livelihoods while protecting the environment.
Regeneration in Action
SHI field trainers support family farmers on their journey to sustainability by introducing regenerative agricultural practices tailored to the local environment. Field trainers demonstrate how to implement methods using readily available natural resources and work alongside farmers to improve soil health. Some of the key practices adopted by our partner farmers include:
- Composting: Farmers combine kitchen scraps, agricultural waste, manure, and ash to create rich compost that feeds the soil and promotes plant growth.
- Natural Fertilizers: Farmers create microbe-rich liquid fertilizers from local ingredients, boosting soil fertility and reducing dependency on harmful chemicals.
- Cover Cropping: Farmers keep the soil covered year-round, which protects it from erosion, enhances water retention, and promotes vital nutrient cycling.
- Diversification: Farmers grow multiple crops together, which builds soil health and strengthens plant resilience against pests and disease.
- Reforestation: Farmers replant trees in degraded areas, and by using other practices that improve soil health and increase biodiversity, trees can also regrow on their own.
These regenerative methods are adaptable and scalable. The results? Bigger harvests, better livelihoods, and environmental restoration. With proper training and support, any farmer can implement them and build resilience in the face of climate change and economic uncertainty.
Recent program outcomes show that 97% of SHI participants reported no food shortages in the past year. Regenerative practices increase crop yields, provide reliable food sources for families and communities, and often generate surplus harvests that can be sold, leading to greater household income and improved livelihoods.
Everyone eats. Everyone benefits.
Help Us Grow From the Ground Up
Sustainable Harvest International has empowered family farmers to become leaders in sustainability for the past 28 years. SHI’s local field trainers in Central America work closely with families and communities for multiple years. We provide farmers with tools and resources for a steady transition to sustainable farming, with consideration for their unique goals and challenges. The program also includes small business development and community capacity building, helping farmers become agents of change in their communities, their region, and their landscape.
When farmers thrive, so do forests, communities, and future generations.
Want to learn more or get involved? Visit sustainableharvest.org to see how you can help grow a greener future — from the ground up.
