Gaia Herbs Sustainability Report 2020 - Report - Page 36
IT’S IN OUR NATURE
TO GIVE BACK
—
We believe that agriculture can be a driver for positive social change. For this to reach its
full economic and environmental potential, it needs to be a truly inclusive movement.
This belief led to the creation of our Roots Initiative, with a mission to advocate for farmer
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2019 // Purpose // P.36
prosperity, environmental regeneration, and herbal access.
“The inspiration for the Roots Initiative stemmed from the
power that small farmers and organic practices can have on
changing the world for the better.”
- ALISON CZECZUGA, Sustainability & Social Impact Manager
With farming being the largest industry on the globe, it impacts millions of people. Whether
the impact is positive or negative is determined by the agricultural processes used: where
regenerative agriculture creates cycles of life that benefit all, whereas degenerative agriculture
strips soil of its nutrients and communities of their power.
Although Gaia Herbs is one of the biggest herbal farms in the United States, we are still
considered a small farm by many standards. We overcome struggles daily while continuing
to learn something new every day: there is a constant play between science, nature, and
business on the Gaia Farm. We deeply value farming networks and are humbled by the
opportunity to strengthen this movement within the USA and globally.
“We have learned a lot about organic farming over the last 20 years and we want to continue to
find ways to connect with other farmers and share learnings and inspirations,” Czeczuga said.
Through the Roots Initiative, we have formed partnerships with like-minded, purpose-driven
individuals and organizations that have developed programs that strengthen local farming
initiatives that build the health of the overall community.
Some of these partnerships include Bountiful Cities, Brevard College, The Dogwood Alliance,
the Organic Growers School, North Carolina State University, and the Southern Sustainable
Agriculture Working Group.