Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world after water, and Camellia sinensis -- the plant from which it is derived -- is cultivated on more than six million acres (2.4 million hectares) around the globe. But how is it grown, and what do you and your customers know about the tea you sell?
Finca La Bastilla, a high-altitude forested coffee farm in Nicaragua’s Jinotega department, perfectly complements the protected forest area that borders it. The farm hasn’t always been such a good neighbor to the adjacent land, however. Prior owners encouraged high production that pushed the soil to its limits, and La Bastilla was abandoned for three years before the current owner took charge and raised the farm to Rainforest Alliance certification standards for sustainability.
An industry leader in North America, Domtar has set a new standard with EarthChoice®, its line of papers that originates in forests certified according to the standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which means that the company is managing its land responsibly and conserving valuable natural resources.
Located in Caño Negro -- a small town in northern Costa Rica -- Sendero y Posada Rural Oasis is a family farm that produces cheese and milk, and, with its three-room lodge, provides a temporary retreat for eco-conscious tourists.
