TENDING THE FUTURE: A Cultural Food Sovereignty Initiative
People of the Forest, in partnership with the Yawanawá in the Amazonian rainforest of Acre, Brazil, is developing and implementing a regenerative ecological design rooted in Indigenous leadership, cultural continuity, and long-term food sovereignty.
Our first focus is to help strengthen resilient food systems in Mutum Village through agroforestry, forest and water conservation practices, ecological education, and community-led implementation.
As of November 1, 2025, we had raised $85,000 through grants and $12,000 through crowdfunding, which went directly toward project implementation and helped carry Phase 1 into the ground. We are deeply grateful for the support that has helped bring this vision to life. Now, in 2026, we are raising funds for the next round of implementation to continue agroforestry expansion, strengthen community training and monitoring, deepen documentation, support home garden development, and advance the next stage of aquaculture and integrated food systems.
Our primary goals are to:
- Support food sovereignty for the Yawanawá through agroforestry and community food systems
- Restore forest ecology, biodiversity, and native soil health
- Create a replicable model that can spread to neighboring villages, bioregions, and communities
- Train future land caretakers and strengthen local ecological leadership
TO SUPPORT INDIGENOUS CARETAKERS IS TO SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF THE FOREST.
Mutum, one of the 17 Yawanawá villages, is working to nurture its ancestral lands through thriving food systems that integrate traditional tending practices and whole-systems ecological design. The long-term vision is to protect medicinal and native plant species, strengthen food sovereignty, and preserve language, culture, and ancestral relationship with the forest for future generations.
The Yawanawá, known as the “People of the Wild Boar,” safeguard 500,000 acres of the Amazon and play a vital role in rainforest preservation. Renowned for their cultural healing and spiritual traditions, they have invited us into partnership to support the strengthening of their way of life through regenerative and traditional ecological methods.
Recognizing the invaluable efforts of Indigenous communities like the Yawanawá, who have safeguarded this essential ecosystem for generations, we join hands with them in service to a flourishing future for both the community and the Amazon rainforest
This is a multi-year initiative that moves through phases of implementation, each requiring fundraising to provide the materials, training, monitoring, and continuity needed to fulfill this regenerative vision.
Our Regenerative Journey
First Visit — October 2023
We self-funded a 3-person team for an initial site assessment in Mutum Village.
Accomplishments:
- Assessed soil, habitat, and agricultural practices impacting biodiversity and food systems
- Cataloged native plants, trees, and food crops for future planting
- Met with Yawanawá leaders to understand local challenges, priorities, and goals
- Co-designed a culturally rooted agroforestry model aligned with local diet, traditions, and environmental conditions
- Helped identify Yawanawá trainees for ongoing ecological education and land stewardship
- Funding & Partnerships
After raising $85,000 from grants and private donors, and forming key partnerships, our expanded team returned to Mutum in 2025 to begin implementing Phase 1 of the agroforestry system. These funds supported three project visits in 2025—May, August, and November—along with year-round Brazilian-led ecological monitoring and training continuity.
Second Visit — May 2025
Our team returned to begin soil preparation, training, and foundational installation for Phase 1 of the agroforestry system.
Accomplishments:
- Partnered with Mutirão Agroflorestal for quarterly in-country training and monitoring between visits
- Held collaborative design and planning sessions with Yawanawá leaders and selected stewards
- Conducted hands-on training in soil science, syntropic agroforestry, forest ecology, pruning, seed saving, planting techniques, tool use, and ecological design
- Collected core soil samples for laboratory analysis
- Installed the first agroforestry test plot with amended rows and layered organic inputs
- Identified and assessed an initial home garden demo site
- Conducted interviews and filming for documentary and educational storytelling
- Launched two new initiatives: the Indigenous Living Seed Bank and Indigenous Filming Mentorship Program
Third Visit — August 2025
Our Brazilian partners continued on-site development and ecological monitoring while expanding community participation.
Accomplishments:
- Expanded the agroforestry system by adding additional rows
- Continued mentorship of the next Yawanawá land stewardship cohort
- Introduced cover crops and green manure for soil regeneration
- Identified the first household garden location
- Collected ecological monitoring data
- Gathered and traded Indigenous seeds from neighboring villages
- Distributed seedlings to surrounding communities
- Continued documentation through local filming support and video production
Fourth Visit — November 2025
Our team returned with over 600 trees and seedlings and thousands of ancestral seeds to expand the agroforestry system as a living classroom for long-term learning and food sovereignty.
Accomplishments:
- Purchased and planted over 600 diverse trees and seedlings
- Sowed thousands of ancestral seeds and cover crops
- Deepened ecological education and field training
- Supported nine emerging Yawanawá agroforestry leaders
- Expanded community integration and stewardship
- Strengthened the design strategy for future replication across village zones
- Began preparing for Phase 2: aquaculture, expanded home gardens, and the next layer of integrated food systems
With the 2025 implementation cycle, Phase 1 established the foundational agroforestry systems, leadership training, monitoring structures, seed initiatives, and continuity needed for long-term community-led food sovereignty. The project has now moved from pilot planning into durable, community-owned systems.
Where We Are Now — 2026
This work is continuing in 2026. In March 2026, our Brazilian partner completed another monitoring trip to continue ecological education, assess progress on the ground, and collect new soil samples to guide the next stage of regenerative implementation.
We are now raising support for the 2026 round to continue building on what has already been established.
How 2026 Funds Will Be Used
Your support in 2026 will help us:
- Continue Brazilian-led ecological monitoring and technical support
- Expand and strengthen the agroforestry system
- Support home garden development for greater food resilience
- Fund soil testing, follow-up analysis, and regenerative land management
- Provide seeds, trees, tools, and materials for continued implementation
- Deepen training for Yawanawá land stewards and future land caretakers
- Continue documentation and storytelling through Indigenous-led media mentorship
- Advance planning and groundwork for aquaculture and broader integrated food systems
We now invite you to join us in this next phase. Your support helps strengthen Indigenous-led food sovereignty, regenerate forest ecosystems, and protect the cultural and ecological wisdom that has safeguarded the Amazon for generations.
By contributing, you join hands with People of the Forest in supporting the guardians of the Amazon.
Thank you for considering our cause. We are deeply grateful for your support and for helping this regenerative journey continue.
Warm regards,
People of the Forest team
Website - People of the Forest
Instagram - @pploftheforest
People of the Forest is a dedicated team of ecological designers and earth care advocates deeply connected to indigenous land management. With decades of collective experience and a vast network of experts, we bring specialized knowledge to ecological restoration and sustainability.
Organizer
