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At Terra Nostra, we are invested in the future. We understand the importance of conserving and improving the earth for future generations. We know that this future depends on soil health, particularly the top 6” of topsoil. Through thoughtful and purposeful planning, we can positively impact topsoil health and the microbiome to slow depletion, which is occurring at an alarming rate. Within the next 60 years, global topsoils will be depleted. Regenerative Organic is key to creating a sustainable future and improving the earth for the future.
Regenerative Organic certification preserves topsoils while also improving farmer welfare. Farmers are the stewards of the soil and its first defense. By implementing land management and sustainable farming practices, farmers benefit from higher yields and more productive lands as well as increased profits due to premiums paid for Organic, Fairtrade, and Regenerative certifications. Regenerative Organic agriculture results in a healthy soil system which turn leads to productive farms and healthy economies.
Let’s work together through Regenerative Organic certified agriculture to be part of the solution and leave this world better than we found it.
We have focused our main organic cocoa sourcing and partnership efforts out of the Dominican Republic. Built upon long-standing relationships, we were able to work closely to launch the regenerative Silver certification out of this origin. We also work closely to find creative solutions to improve farmer livelihood and yields while maintaining soil health. This includes agronomist training programs in demonstration plots to help farmers learn: IPM, pruning, grafting, forest conservation, composting, and other soil health techniques.
The agronomist regularly visits co-ops to provide this training and distribute seedlings, so over 700,000 seedlings have been distributed to farmers which are interplanted with native plants. Cultivation in the co-ops is based on a traditional forest-like agroforestry system, including different crops/fruit trees/shade trees, and with 7% of the land remaining uncultivated.
Additionally, we have focused heavily on the prevention of Child labor and perform 3 audits annually to ensure there are no risks. Child labor in the Dominican Republic is non-existent and Fairtrade International’s Risk Map puts the risk in DR at 4-5% while in African cocoa-producing counties, it is +20-25% and above. Farmer’s children have distributed supplies they need to succeed, i.e.: school kits, shoes, sports equipment, and toys, to assist with their school year and encourage attendance. We are excited to grow our efforts in the region and continue our efforts toward regenerative farming practices and fair practices for farmers
