MEET THE LOCAL FARMERS
MATEO
In the heart of the Atlantic Rainforest, Mateo, a dedicated farmer, is restoring the land through agroforestry. Instead of clearing the forest, he plants medicinal herbs like cat's claw and jaborandi alongside native trees. This method not only preserves biodiversity but also enriches the soil and provides sustainable income...
MEET THE LOCAL FARMERS
Juliana in front of her house
Juliana’s Path to Sustainable Farming
Juliana began working with agriculture in 2021, focusing on preserving ancient seeds like red corn, which holds a cultural significance. To protect this biodiversity, she started cultivating them and later transitioned into agroforestry, a method that combines trees and crops in a diverse system.
She recently partnered with her friend, Carla, to launch a business. Juliana grows medicinal plants, and Carla distills essential oils. Together, they produce teas and essential oils from plants like lavender and citronella.
Farming has brought challenges with changing rainfall patterns, the energy and care that an agroforestry requires and the difficulty selling products. But Juliana stays committed, for her it’s not about profit, but about living well and sharing plant knowledge that her grandmothers once had.
She believes that more farmers could adopt agroforestry if there were better access to knowledge and support. A digital platform with clear, reliable information could make sustainable farming more accessible and appealing.
Adão's Commitment to Coffee and Community
For 26 years, Adão has dedicated his life to farming in the hills of Minas Gerais. His land is home to rows of coffee plants, along with beans, corn, rice, bananas, and pumpkins. But it’s coffee that holds the greatest place in his heart, and on his land. It’s the crop he knows best and the one that has shaped his journey as a farmer.
Starting out wasn’t easy. Adão took out a small loan to plant his first coffee seedlings. He sold his first harvest, reinvested what he earned, and little by little, expanded. Over the years, coffee became not just a source of income, but a rhythm to follow, planting, caring and harvesting. The work is hard. With just him and his son managing the farm, every day requires energy and strength. Finding help is a challenge, especially as many young people leave the countryside for city life. Still, Adão finds ways to make it work.
Farming has changed over the years. Adão remembers when the rains were more predictable, when water flowed steadily through his land. Today, it’s drier. The seasons feel different. But despite the difficulties, he remains grounded in the land. Coffee continues to be his path forward. He knows every step of the process, from planting to drying, and he’s built connections that make it possible to sell his harvest with confidence.
Adão's story is one of tradition, hard work, and dedication. A life woven into the land, the seasons, and the rows of coffee trees that stretch out across his farm.
Adão in front of his farm