50 years ago, concerned citizens came together to mark the first Earth Day. Today, we can’t come together physically but the need for global collaboration to conserve our resources, confront climate change, and protect biodiversity is more pressing than ever. A poster to mark the first Earth Day featured the quote: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” It is already becoming clear how human action contributed to the Covid-19 crisis and it’s clear that we as humans are more vulnerable than we thought. Holistic, integrated, and sustainable solutions will help us survive this pandemic and face the environmental crises that threaten animal species, human lives, and economic stability.
In 2016, Puente collectively embraced agroecology as a path towards sustainability for rural communities. Replenishing the soil, diversifying crops, and growing without harmful chemicals means stronger, drought-resistant plants, heartier seeds, and sustainable income streams.
One of our partner farmers, Don Hilario, shares his path with agroecology:
“With agroecology, we learned to cultivate through organic fertilizers, we learned to control pests through microorganisms, with organic fertilizers we are learning that our crops are improved, that our quality of life is better, and that it is possible to be well. We have our fertilizer biofactory and we have a project for the production of rock flour to give us the opportunity to want to improve our way of cultivating the soil.
“My well-being is a testimony to the importance of agroecology. I was very ill and my doctors gave me so many medications. I was lucky, instead, to meet someone from Puente who told me the importance of removing chemicals from our soil and from our plate. Today, I am strong and can rise up out of bed to work my land every day for my family and for my community. That is why I organize the biofactory so other farmers know its importance and have access.”
Today, on Earth Day, Puente is committed to partnering with smallholder farmers and rural communities for a future that is sustainable, that embraces new innovations while renewing traditional knowledge, and that values health and well-being in every stage of the agricultural cycle.
