BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – In our latest “Trails of Regeneration”…

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations in the U.S. and Latin America that save, produce and sell seeds have seen a significant increase in the demand for native seeds. This new interest in seeds comes with great opportunities, but also some challenges.

Humedalia, a Mexican organization that works for the conservation and restoration of the Mexican wetlands, focuses its work on the chinampas of Xochimilco. This project for regenerating the chinampas soil will provide the local community opportunities to increase family income and engage multiple generations, creating a space for the exchange of knowledge and experiences about ancestral farming techniques.

As our new reality sinks in, as we adjust to lockdowns and home schooling and long lines at grocery stores, as we look for ways to protect ourselves and our families—and as some grieve for lost loved ones—most of us are also seeking answers. Where did COVID-19 come from? And how can we prevent this from ever happening again?

In this interview, Ronnie Cummins, founder of the Organic Consumers Association, discusses his new book “Grassroots Rising: A Call to Action on Climate, Farming, Food and a Green New Deal.”