By Nina Jungman
At The Kampong, we believe in the transformative power of plants to connect people, cultures, and communities. This is never more evident than with food. Thanks to funding from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC)’s North America Partnership for Environmental Community Action (NAPECA) with our collaborators Florida International University’s (FIU) Institute of Environment, we hosted a dynamic program aiming to connect small agricultural producers from Central and South Florida.
Participants in the program had the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in our garden while learning from local pioneers about resistant tropical perennial cultivation, food forest design, and seed saving, gaining hands-on experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice. We welcomed instructions from Muriel Olivares and Tiffany Noe from Little River Cooperative, Melissa DeSa from Working Foods, Corrine Mariposa from Miami Seed Share, Jorge Palacios from The Green Heaven Project, Cristina Bouza from Finca Morada and Edie Recinos, among FIU and FIU faculty and students and other vendors.
The event, attended by over 100 people allowed us to engage local communities and bring together individuals passionate about sustainable food systems, from home gardeners and chefs to educators and researchers. Moreover, it bore witness to a resurgence of enthusiasm among local communities, who are eager to explore the possibilities that these plants offer. From exotic fruits and vegetables to medicinal herbs, tropical plants hold untapped potential for enhancing our food systems and well-being.
At The Kampong, we are proud to be part of this journey, connecting individuals and inspiring them to grow food and foster a deeper appreciation for the tropical plants that enrich our lives.