CENTERING RESILIENCE for SMALLHOLDER FARMERS
Frontier Co-op is dedicated to centering the needs of our smallholder farmer partners to help ensure resilience in the face of challenges associated with climate change, climate- related natural disasters, and the ever-evolving geopolitical landscape; and supporting stability by helping meet education, medical, and basic needs. Our resilience investments support these communities and ensure the long-term stability of our supply chain. These investments focus on three core elements: regenerative organic agriculture practices, our Well Earth Impact Program, and a commitment to social fairness. REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE Regenerative organic agriculture practices emphasize zero use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, cover cropping, crop rotation, low-to no-till farming, and composting to build healthier soils. These practices are not new but have been employed by Indigenous and Native peoples for centuries. They build healthier soils, strengthen farming systems and improvise the resilience of farming communities. With 600 million farmers globally operating on less than two hectares of land and providing roughly 30% of our global food supply, smallholder farmers are a critical component of our global food supply chain. The global spice supply chains vital to Frontier Co-op’s work are no different. Smallholder spice farmers in rural communities around the world are dispropor- tionately affected by the devastating impacts of climate change and climate-related natural disasters. Regenerative organic agriculture practices support long-term resilience and stability – for farmers and the planet. Learn more at regenorganic.com . As usual, Frontier Co-op is not just dedicated to holding those responsible for the work accountable for certain standards. We’re committed to working cooperatively with our part- ners to help them integrate and/or transition to better practices. This means, when it comes to the adoptions of regenerative organic agriculture practices, we’re helping smallholder farmers overcome the unique financial and logistical challenges involved. This includes finan- cial assistance for costs associated with certification and committing to long-term contracts. As always, we’re inspired by the impact we can have when we work together, and will continue to empower our suppliers to adopt regenerative organic agriculture practices.
Photo (top): Nutmeg, when harvested, is covered by a layer of red mace, which is separated, dried, and can be used as an ingredient itself, as it has a slightly sweeter and more potent flavor than nutmeg. Photo (bottom): A rural farmer in Guatemala holds his freshly harvested cardamom pods.
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