• Tera Kuno
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    • Tera Kuno Brazil: Art and Transformation for Community-Based Solutions

    Driven by pure inspiration, determination, and a strong desire to make a difference, we launched participatory agriculture in 2020 with our own resources. On a temporarily provided piece of land near Manaus, we planted an edible forest in collaboration with the Centro de Treinamento Agroflorestal (CTA) of the Amazon Museum (MUSA). Since then, over two hectares of agroforestry systems have been implemented, and numerous events have brought together ecological education, art, and community work. Additionally, we support small-scale local farming operations and develop new processing methods for agricultural products. We conduct on-farm research focusing on agroforestry and agroecology. From these efforts, the vision of the Tera Kuno Institute emerged as a new center for research and knowledge dissemination in the Amazon.

    On December 5, 2022, International Soil Day, 11 local individuals officially established the Tera Kuno Brazil Association. This gave the collective Art & Escola na Floresta a legal framework. In the same year, we also founded the Tera Kuno Switzerland Association.

    Through a WeMakeIt crowdfunding campaign and the support of the Impact Fund, we secured our first foundational financing in 2022. This funding enabled us to acquire 50 hectares of land near Manaus to establish a collective center for research and education.

    Projects and Recognitions

    • Participatory Agriculture
    • Funded by Pro Helvetia (Initiative “get-together” 2022–2023).
    • Project MostraDoc: Gastronomy and Agriculture
    • Supported by Banco Amazônico (2011).
    • Project Handicrafts of Farmers
    • Funded by the Amazonas Secretariat of Culture (2022).
    • Award “Manaus Faz Cultura”
    • Recognition received in 2022.
    • Project Carreiro Castanho: Agroecology and Community Development
    • In collaboration with Instituto Maná and financially supported by the Cargill Foundation (2023).
    • Project Sala Verde
    • Supported by Tera Kuno Switzerland (Evangelical-Reformed Church of Zurich, Church District Seven/Eight, and additional foundations and donors, 2024).
    • Project Cesta.Ajuri
    • Supported by Tera Kuno Switzerland.
    • Exhibition Project “Terra Corpo”
    • Supported by Tera Kuno Switzerland (Evangelical-Reformed Church of Zurich, Church District Seven/Eight, and additional foundations and donors, 2024).

    Results 2020-2024

    • Recognitions and Certificates:
    • Received a certificate of recognition from the Ministry of Health for contributions to nutritional education.
    • Sala Verde officially recognized as a pedagogical method by the Ministry of Environment.
    • Strategic Developments:
    • Developed an educational policy plan integrating sustainable learning methods and ecological education.
    • Events and Participation:
    • 1,920 visitors attended our events.
    • Organized more than 120 participatory agriculture events.
    • Culinary Initiatives:
    • Prepared 3,000 meals using local products to promote regional nutrition.
    • Environmental and Land Work:
    • Planted 2,200 trees.
    • Established 2 hectares of agroforestry and garden areas.
    • Tripled the size of the wild herb garden.
    • Community Collaboration:
    • Organized weekly collaboration days for four consecutive years.
    • Logistics and Communication:
    • Established a logistics network for agricultural product distribution.
    • Built an Instagram channel, reaching 3,000 followers.
    • Published over 30 articles in newspapers to promote projects and key topics.