About Huerto Regenerativo NaTerra. I was born and raised in São Miguel do Guamá, Para State and my roots are in Itacoa Mirim, a very small community in the middle of nowhere in the Brazilian Amazon. KNOWING WHERE WE CAME FROM brings me such depth to my work at NaTerra Farms. Identifying as a “Kaa’boc” beautifully captures the essence of MY connection to the forest and OUR Amazonian heritage. Kaa’boc means in Tupi language, the one who comes from the Forest. This identity shapes the way we approach farming—not just as cultivation, but as a meaningful relationship with the land, preserving the wisdom of my ancestors and sharing it with my family and the Nebraska local community in David City.
My journey to NaTerra Farms is rooted deeply in my appreciation for indigenous knowledge and regenerative practices. I’ve been profoundly inspired by figures like Ailton Krenak and Ernst Götsch. Krenak’s dedication to preserving indigenous wisdom and his vision for coexisting with nature resonated with my own values. Likewise, Ernst Götsch’s pioneering work in syntropic farming helped me envision a system where agriculture could regenerate the land and foster harmony.
About NaTerra Farms. The idea for NaTerra Farms sprouted from my passion for cultivating a space that would honor both the earth and traditional agricultural wisdom. I wanted to combine indigenous practices and permaculture principles to create a system that respects the natural order, promotes soil health, and ultimately provides nutrient-rich, healthy food.
NaTerra Farms was born from a vision of growing food in a way that nurtures the earth and all who partake in it. At its heart, NaTerra Farms is about bringing together permaculture ethics—earth care, people care, and fair share—and indigenous agriculture principles, which emphasize working with, rather than against, natural cycles. Through these methods, we aim to create a regenerative ecosystem that heals the land as it produces food.
Our farm is built on the belief that healthy soil is the foundation of healthy food. By nurturing the soil through regenerative techniques, we’re not only improving the quality of our food but also contributing to a sustainable agricultural model. Currently, we focus on specialty crop seed production and collaborate with other Latino producers to broaden the availability of our products.
Inspirations… Ailton Krenak and Ernst Götsch have undoubtedly been key inspirations. Krenak’s philosophy of living in harmony with nature has encouraged me to embrace indigenous principles, focusing on the natural systems that have existed for millennia. Götsch’s syntropic farming methods reinforced my belief in creating abundance without depleting resources.
Throughout this journey, I’ve also been fortunate to have the support of a dedicated community, especially other Latino producers. Together, we’re working to create a more inclusive marketplace and to make culturally significant foods more accessible. Through these collaborations and influences, NaTerra Farms has become a collective vision of sustainable agriculture and community resilience.
Those that Helped Me… The Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act Program grant was truly a game-changer for me and farmers like myself. As a Latino farmer, gaining visibility and recognition hasn’t always been easy, but this grant provided the support I needed to make NaTerra Farms more accessible to the community. It also helped me move from a small-scale backyard garden to a larger farm operation with a broader impact.
When I first started, I was experimenting with three distinct agricultural systems in my backyard: Roca Local Food, Rainforest Garden, and Muvuca System. Using techniques like Food Islands, Walls of Food, and Pollinator Systems, I was able to cultivate food sustainably in ways that encouraged biodiversity and resilience. The grant allowed me to expand beyond crops. I went from raising 45 free-range chickens to 1,500, the second part of the chickens in the woods jumping from 150 hens to 500, so I am really truly glad to have gained the resources to improve the free-range systems we use. The marketing support that came with the grant has also been invaluable, allowing me to reach a wider audience and share the value of sustainable, culturally meaningful food. This grant has helped NaTerra Farms become not just a source of food but a platform where I can share the beauty and importance of culturally rooted, regenerative agriculture.
It’s wonderful that WE are cultivating a space that allows our children to experience a bit of Amazonian culture and learn the basics of Tupi language while here in Nebraska, even without physically being in Brazil. Through NaTerra Farms, we are giving them a living connection to their heritage, helping them carry forward both the cultural values and the wisdom of indigenous practices. This way, the farm isn’t just a business but a family legacy, rich in both cultural and environmental significance.
Mandala Garden… Our mandala garden is an immersive space that brings together family, animals, and nature in harmony. It’s a hands-on way for your kids to engage with the land alongside the chickens, learning the interconnectedness of life and the value of sustainable practices. The circular design of a mandala is also such a fitting symbol for nurturing cycles— growth, harvest, renewal—making it an inspiring teaching tool and a living example of the values we hold.
Wrapping Up… Inspiring more Latinos to enter agriculture is a meaningful vision, especially with the right support. Grants can play a huge role in giving beginner farmers a strong foundation, making the process less daunting and opening doors to growth. My experience with GROW Nebraska, the Center for Rural Affairs, and the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act Program shows how impactful this can be, and the dedication to helping others follow a similar path speaks to the importance of shared opportunities in agriculture.
Post Notes…
Roberto is a client of the Center for Rural Affairs and the following link connects readers to a related story curated by the Center…
https://www.cfra.org/blog/david-city-farmer-feels-conservation-fellowship-both-privilege-and-call-action
Generally, with these stories I interview someone like Sandro and draft a story that is reviewed and finalized. In this case, Sandro took the initiative and wrote the story above. This says a lot about this motivated young man and his personal initiative rooted in family, making a living, building a farm, building community, and taking care of the land.
Sandro and his family do not own the land they farm. They have an arrangement with the 75- year-old owner to use the land and make it their home. Sandra hopes that one day they can buy this land, making it their permanent home. He is part of a four-generation farming family from the Amazon. He and his family came to America to support their autistic son. Their first stop was Texas and that proved not to be a good experience, and then they found their way to rural Nebraska because of a job at a cheese factory in Brainard. It was through the owner of the factory that Sandro met the gentleman allowing him use of this small farm.
Sandro continues to have a factory job to generate cash income. His farm operation is not yet profitable, maybe next year. He rises early to do chores, goes to work, and then comes home working into the night taking care of his livestock and other farm needs. He and his family work very hard. Sandro loves his new home and during our Zoom conversation (11.13.2024) he wore a Nebraska ball cap. He has big dreams to cultivate a diversified and sustainable farming operation. He and his family are committed to quality foods, cooking together with other families, and building family, in this corner of rural Nebraska.
Don Macke