ESC: Recovering forgotten plants for a more sustainable agri-food system

Overview Col·lectiu Eixarcolant* (Eixarcolant Collective) is a non-profit organization and cooperative that aims to recover the uses of wild edible plants and traditional agricultural varieties as a tool to promote the development of a more sustainable, healthier and fair agri-food model. A model that dignifies the peasantry, promotes sustainable rural development, and generalizes the consumption of local, seasonal and quality products. Since 2016, we carry out projects throughout Catalonia, framed in 10 lines of action, in order to make it possible for these species and varieties to be re-cultivated, marketed and consumed, and for all this to be done. in a sustainable and ethical way. *Eixarcolant: hand weeding in vegetable crops, meadows or field margins. And also, take profit from the weeds collected. Our work. The 10 lines of action are summarized below: 1. Recovery of traditional varieties and wild species This is a line of action that represents the essence, the foundations, of Eixarcolant Collective. Without the conservation of edible wildlife and traditional agricultural varieties, along with their uses, it would be impossible to get them to be a tool for a model transformation. There are many scientific studies that highlight the paramount importance of these species and varieties returning to farms, shops, and kitchens in every household. We have hundreds of thousands of wild edible species and traditional agricultural varieties close to where we live that we could grow, market, and consume normally. But many of these species and varieties have nearly disappeared from our diet and our everyday lives.This is the reason why from the Eixarcolant Collective we work, throughout the Catalan territory, in projects that allow to document and recover these species and varieties and their associated uses, in order to return this collective heritage towards the whole population and convert it in one of the most powerful tools we have to transform the agri-food system. 2. Territorial revitalization Revitalization, as we understand it, means getting things to happen, in a positive way, even those that initially seem unthinkable. It also means listening, understanding and collecting all the points of views, no matter how opposed they are, and making constructive proposals that reach consensus and are fully argued. It also implies having patience, because background changes take time. Territorial revitalization it’s a key element because it allows to identify the needs, problems or conflicts of a given territory or sector, and establish the bases and the way to provide answers and solutions. The purpose is to contribute to the definition of a model of development that has a positive impact on the activities carried out on agricultural and forestry land and all the factors of the value chain that derives from it. At the same time, this revitalization must also contribute to generate a solid economy and create employment in the primary sector, as well as to encourage the consumption of local quality products obtained in a sustainable way at the environmental, social and economic level. At the same time, territorial revitalization must also make it possible to identify the values or singularities of a given territory, which contribute to the general well-being of the population through the provision of ecosystem services. For example, it increases the quality of landscapes and leisure spaces enjoyed by the local population. Consequently, the return of revitalization projects has a positive impact on the whole population living in the territory where it is developed. 3. Research Applied research, basic research, and knowledge transfer are essential axes in order to make edible wild species and traditional agricultural varieties truly elements of change.We carry out agronomic research, in order to make possible and optimize the cultivation, management and harvest of these plant species and varieties. This research can be carried out both in land property of the Eixarcolant Collective and also in the spaces that are determined in each case according to the characteristics of the project and the needs of the people or institutions requesting. We also study the product handling, taking into account its nutritional, organoleptic and structural attributes, in order to know which systems are most suitable for food processing, culinary preparation and preservation. All this, with the aim of obtaining nutritionally interesting products, organoleptically excellent ones, and sustainable at all levels. It is about knowing all the gastronomic potential that these species and varieties can offer us. Finally, we also work in sensory, and organoleptic research, as well as in market studies, in order to know the sensory attributes of these species and varieties and the products derived from them. Some of the research projects are carried out in coordination with the University of Barcelona and also have the participation of local entities and actors. 4. Education and training The current ignorance about wild species and traditional varieties, along with their uses, is an unquestionable reality. Thereby, dissemination and training, at all levels and in all formats, become essential. Because it is unthinkable that the uses of these species and varieties could be recovered if they were not known before. What is not known is not valued, and therefore it is as if it wouldn't exist. In order to re-disseminate this knowledge everywhere, and provide the necessary tools and capabilities to all those who, in one way or another, wish to recover the uses of these species and varieties we carry out various dissemination, training, and education projects. We perform talks, courses, excursions and workshops, whether aimed at children or adults, amateurs or professionals.5. Informative and educational material Generating informative and educational material with quality content and an attractive aesthetic and format is essential to break the current ignorance about wild species and traditional varieties. At the same time, the existence of this quality material is basic to standardize these species and varieties as relevant elements in the transformation of the agri-food and development model.. For this reason, we work on the generation of informative material in all types of formats: thematic books for adults, children's thematic books, educational materials, calendars, videos and documentaries, posters, brochures and exhibitions. In the case of printed materials, we carry out the whole process, from the contents and layout, to the edition and distribution. We have a network of more than 200 sale places throughout the territory! 6. Consultancy We make available to the agriculture and, gastronomy and catering, sectors a comprehensive advisory service to encourage the use of edible wild species, traditional agricultural varieties and local products. We work always within a framework of sustainability, both in terms of the resulting products and the day-to-day management of the business. This service includes different aspects: the choice of the most suitable species and varieties for each project, the analysis and optimization of the management, the realization of studies of landscape improvement, the evaluation of the gastronomic potential and the development of new products, market research, and brand communication and image. 7. Tools for agriculture For small and medium-sized farms, it is very important to be able to improve the efficiency of agronomic management of the exploitation without the need for large investments.It is necessary to analyze which are the best tools that allow us to optimize tasks like seeding, plantation, agronomic handling, and harvest. And all this with an investment that is worth it and affordable, correctly adjusted to the needs and size of the farm. To this end, we have been distributing Terrateck material since 2019. We have made a previous selection of the material that we consider most appropriate at the catalan level, we have translated the catalog into catalan and the agriculture tools are available in the store on our website. 8. Seed commercialisation With the aim that edible wild plants and traditional agricultural varieties become incorporated as a frequent part of crops, commerce, and into our diet, it is essential that they become accessible to everyone who wants to cultivate them. That's the reason why we commercialise seeds of those species and varieties. Seeds, that in all the cases are cultivated in fields and collected by Eixarcolant in a totally sustainable and respectful way with the environment. In addition, we want that everyone can cultivate them in an easy and rewarding way. For that, in each package there is all the necessary information for the cultivation and consumption, explained in a clear, visual and rigorous way. It is a unique format and design, which involves a great effort, but which we believe is really necessary for the success of the project. 9. Food products It is also important that products made with edible wild species and traditional agricultural varieties reach the final consumer and the gastronomy and catering sector sector. Sustainability, social justice and transparency have to be maintained throughout the production process. This is the evidence that these species and varieties are really key elements for the transformation of the agri-food model and for socio-economic development. That is why through the "Forn de Jorba" bakery and shop, and our experimental workshop we develop food products, both fresh and processed, which meet all therequirements to be successfully introduced to the market. These must serve to normalize the consumption of edible wild species and traditional agricultural varieties. We make these products available to consumers to show that it is possible to generate a solid and transparent value chain from agri-food products, as well as that local and seasonal consumption is possible and accessible;, and that edible wild species and traditional varieties contribute to diversify our daily diets with amazing flavors, colors, and textures. 10. Green urban areas The spontaneous vegetation present in the urban environment, and which we popularly referred to as “weeds” or simply “grass”, is an indispensable element to bring biodiversity to towns and cities, to improve the ecological balance of their green areas, and also to bring beauty to the city landscape. That is why we accompany the administrations in the reformulation of green space management protocols and activities, in order to make possible for a paradigm shift to be fully compatible with the uses of these places. We look for a way easily implementable by operators, and fully accepted by the public. In this sense, we carry out both the drafting of maintenance and management plans, as well as the training for technicians and operators, and also the communication and awareness campaigns in order to inform the public of changes in the management model and its importance.