Reforestation and Forest Care
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The Comizahual Regenerative Farm is divided into three parts: an upper zone where we live, a very steep hillside, and an old-growth forest in the lower zone. The forest sits in a stream valley and is home to many trees and animals. In contrast, the slope and the hill are highly degraded due to conventional agricultural practices.
We are caring for the old-growth forest and planting some shade-loving fruit trees in the understory, primarily cacao. We are reforesting the ravine with a wide diversity of native trees to create a microclimate and a habitat for wildlife. Over time, both areas will merge to form a resilient forest and a water recharge zone. Meanwhile, our agricultural focus is to cultivate a food forest in the upper zone around our house. On the flat part of the hill, we have planted fruit trees, vegetables, medicinal herbs, and flowers, among other plants, for our own consumption and for sale. We have a goat shed, a chicken coop, and a pool for the ducks, among other structures. We are witnessing the transformation of the soil into a fertile ground packed with microbiology--in other words, a living soil in which plants can thrive. |
Soil Restoration
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At Comizahual Regenerative Farm, we believe that restoration begins beneath our feet. When soil biology recovers through ancestral Lenca practices, water systems, biodiversity, and food production are also strengthened. Therefore, our goal is to restore the landscape of the Lenca territory in Northern Morazán by regenerating soil biology with ancestral Lenca practices, strengthening the soil food web, and using regenerative agriculture to help heal the earth and strengthen the relationship between communities and their territory.
Throughout the land, we have built terraces (irrigation ditches) and other soil retention structures. The purpose of these works has been multi-fold: to stop soil and organic matter erosion, to adapt level spaces for planting crops, to establish trails for better access, and, most importantly, to capture rainwater. The terraces serve to collect rainwater (which previously washed directly into the stream with minimal infiltration into the ground) and allow the water to absorb into the soil sponge. Water recharge on the land is fundamental since all plants need water, thereby reducing the need for irrigation to a minimum. In other words, we are planting the water before planting the crops.
Aside from the retention structures, we are implementing practices that increase vegetation cover and soil microbiology. One of the main techniques is the production of biologically complete compost, following the teachings of the Soil Food Web School (soilfoodweb.com). This type of composting system is an incubator for beneficial microorganisms indigenous to the region. These microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods) are responsible for transforming minerals and organic matter into nutrients and food for plants. Together, they form a network, a symbiosis—a healthy, fertile, and living soil.
To achieve this restoration in our soil, we develop three lines of work:
Throughout the land, we have built terraces (irrigation ditches) and other soil retention structures. The purpose of these works has been multi-fold: to stop soil and organic matter erosion, to adapt level spaces for planting crops, to establish trails for better access, and, most importantly, to capture rainwater. The terraces serve to collect rainwater (which previously washed directly into the stream with minimal infiltration into the ground) and allow the water to absorb into the soil sponge. Water recharge on the land is fundamental since all plants need water, thereby reducing the need for irrigation to a minimum. In other words, we are planting the water before planting the crops.
Aside from the retention structures, we are implementing practices that increase vegetation cover and soil microbiology. One of the main techniques is the production of biologically complete compost, following the teachings of the Soil Food Web School (soilfoodweb.com). This type of composting system is an incubator for beneficial microorganisms indigenous to the region. These microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, and microarthropods) are responsible for transforming minerals and organic matter into nutrients and food for plants. Together, they form a network, a symbiosis—a healthy, fertile, and living soil.
To achieve this restoration in our soil, we develop three lines of work:
- Regenerating soil life: This consists of the production and application of bio-inputs, compost, ground cover, agroforestry systems, and other practices that favor soil microbiology and its capacity to retain water and sustain biodiversity.
- Reclaiming ancestral knowledge: This seeks to recover and put into practice ancestral Lenca knowledge related to caring for the earth. The farm functions as a living learning space where this wisdom blends with regenerative agriculture to demonstrate that these methods remain a vital response to environmental degradation and the climate crisis.
- Community empowerment: This strengthens the capacities of women, youth, and the community through a "learning by doing" approach. Through demonstration plots, practical workshops, and the exchange of knowledge, people acquire tools to adapt and replicate these practices in their own plots and communities.
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Water Care and Bioremediation
Our farm features a natural spring, a water hole that marks the beginning of a stream. This spring and stream are essential for providing water to the diverse wild and aquatic animals, as well as the plants, that inhabit the area. Among the wildlife we have spotted are deer, armadillos, agoutis, squirrels, opossums, wildcats, iguanas, snakes, owls, toucans, turquoise-browed motmots, and a wide variety of other birds.
As a farm, we face the reality that this water is threatened by stagnant wastewater, which impacts local wildlife. A large portion of the solid waste and graywater coming from the nearby community used to flow directly into the stream, contaminating the water spring. For this reason, we are working to mitigate this environmental problem so that the life of this forest can continue to thrive and regenerate.
We responded to this issue by installing a handmade biofiltration system for graywater treatment and solid waste collection. We are applying bioremediation practices, planting phytoremediating plants, and using ancestral wisdom to care for the water. The filtration system utilizes natural, low-cost, and accessible materials such as volcanic rock, lime, sand, clay, charcoal, PVC pipes, aquatic plants, fungi, microorganisms, and other plants that promote biological remediation.
We hope this system serves as a model for other communities, allowing it to be replicated to create a positive environmental impact throughout the region.
As a farm, we face the reality that this water is threatened by stagnant wastewater, which impacts local wildlife. A large portion of the solid waste and graywater coming from the nearby community used to flow directly into the stream, contaminating the water spring. For this reason, we are working to mitigate this environmental problem so that the life of this forest can continue to thrive and regenerate.
We responded to this issue by installing a handmade biofiltration system for graywater treatment and solid waste collection. We are applying bioremediation practices, planting phytoremediating plants, and using ancestral wisdom to care for the water. The filtration system utilizes natural, low-cost, and accessible materials such as volcanic rock, lime, sand, clay, charcoal, PVC pipes, aquatic plants, fungi, microorganisms, and other plants that promote biological remediation.
We hope this system serves as a model for other communities, allowing it to be replicated to create a positive environmental impact throughout the region.
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https://ticamericas.net/finales/finales-2024/finalistas-innovaction-2/
We competed for seed capital in the InnovAcción Challenge 2.0, organized by the Young Americas Business Trust We were chosen as one of the four winning teams in the prototyping category in 2024.
We have used the funds to install the biofiltration system.
We competed for seed capital in the InnovAcción Challenge 2.0, organized by the Young Americas Business Trust We were chosen as one of the four winning teams in the prototyping category in 2024.
We have used the funds to install the biofiltration system.
Our Water Song:
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Araute River
Santa Anita, Río Araute, Jocoaitique, Morazán
In Santa Anita, Río Araute, Jocoaitique, Morazán, lie the foundations of our family—the place where Silvia and Isaac’s father was born, where his mother and father were born, and where our ancestors rest. This river is of great importance to our Lenca culture, as its forests preserve an immense amount of biodiversity. Along the banks of this river, we are protecting a 17-acre (10 manzanas) forest. This forest features a wide variety of native trees that help purify the air, while the river's water nourishes life and provides a sanctuary where biodiversity grows every day. This forest is a lung for Jocoaitique, and protecting it is in our hands.
