You never know where your next eye opening insight will come from! My most recent one appeared purely by chance on the inside of a chocolate bar wrapper! Thanks to the earth friendly people at Alter Eco Foods, I became more acquainted with the term "regenerative agriculture."
This was especially interesting to me since I freely admit to being a chocoholic, and connecting to the spirit of the cacao is what got me on this plant medicine path to begin with.
Plus, they had me at the intriguing header: "Farm Like a Forest."
Regenerative agriculture is the opposite of industrial farming in that it has several advantages including more humane harvesting conditions and less soil depletion. Since the Alter Eco company focus is on how their cacao is sustainably grown, they provide an illustration and brief description of how using this innovative method results in the "extraordinary" cacao they use in their products.
The illustration I came across shows how banana, timber and a variety of diverse shade trees are planted around the cacao plants to mimic them growing in what they refer to as "an abundant forest ecosystem." Such biodiversity encourages not only healthier cacao trees, but increases soil fertility as well as drought resistance. Farmers benefit by providing a more comfortable, shady work environment along with an increase in income stability.
Something tells me that the spirit of the cacao tree is well aware of this attempt by humans
to create an ecosystem that is not naturally occurring. However, I imagine the spirit's reaction once again in the form of this happy little bean. It seems to dance in appreciation of the efforts to foster a win win situation that is beneficial to plant, people and planet.
I doubt there's much that I can do to adopt the practice of regenerative agriculture in my own tiny garden space, but if anyone reading this has a more extensive area or a small (or large) farm, this method is worth considering. Here's a link from their website for those wanting more details:
Meanwhile...I'll continue to support and enjoy this very special treat in all its delightful manifestations!
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