BACKGROUND

Silk Grass Farms, Ltd. operates within a 27,500-acre tract of land in Stann Creek, Belize, under the care of our parent organization, the Silk Grass Wildlife Preserve.

The remaining 10% (about 3,000 acres) was previously cultivated for commercial agriculture using conventional farming methods that eroded the topsoil and decreased biodiversity. These methods included monocropping, tilling, and the heavy use of agrichemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and petroleum-based fertilizers. Over the years, this led to lowered productivity. Ultimately the operation was abandoned and put up for sale.

In March 2019, social entrepreneurs Mandy Cabot and Peter Kjellerup purchased the operation and surrounding land with a bold vision for rehabilitating the degraded portion, while preserving the forested portion.

The forested portion became the Silk Grass Wildlife Preserve. The degraded portion became Silk Grass Farms. Under the directorship of agribusiness leader Henry Canton, Silk Grass Farms practices large-scale land rehabilitation and responsible food production and processing. After tax profits, in turn, support the mission and vision of the Silk Grass Wildlife Preserve.

90% OF THE LAND—ABOUT 24,700 ACRES—IS PRISTINE RAINFOREST, PROTECTED IN PERPETUITY BY THE WILDLIFE PRESERVE.

May 2019

October 2020