Agroforestry in Southern Brazil is shaping the future of sustainable farming and climate resilience. After weeks in the Amazon basin, landing in Florianópolis felt like entering a different world. The southern coast of Brazil brings a shift in climate, culture, and landscape. Here, the air is cooler, the terrain more hilly, and the forests quieter. But even in this peaceful corner of the country, the work of agroforestry carries the same sense of urgency and hope.
Florianópolis and the nearby town of São Pedro de Alcântara are home to several of Carbify’s long-standing plots, developed in partnership with Agroforestree, which has been planting on our behalf for over two years.
The success stories of agroforestry in Southern Brazil show how local farmers adapt traditional practices to modern sustainability challenges. Renato, Agroforestree’s local project manager, greeted me upon my arrival. The success stories of agroforestry in Southern Brazil show how local farmers adapt traditional practices to modern sustainability challenges. Together, we drove into the hills to visit Bernardo’s farm, where diverse native trees are taking root after years of careful attention. It was clear that Bernardo is not just restoring land; he’s restoring balance. His efforts over the past five years are paying off. Trees like bracatinga, castanha, and inga are steadily growing, with some reaching around 1.3 meters per year, despite the region’s temperate conditions.
Walking the fields with Bernardo and his coworkers, I learnt local planting techniques adapted specifically to the southern climate. These weren’t just practical tips; they were insights born of generations of experience. I was reminded that every region has its rhythm, and every farmer has their wisdom. Agroforestry in Southern Brazil follows principles supported globally by the FAO, blending traditional knowledge with sustainability practices.
While the sites themselves were thriving, I noticed recurring frustrations among the farmers. Even though Renato had clearly communicated our visit, several partners told me they were unaware of the purpose or schedule of my fieldwork. This mirrored feedback I had received in other regions: communication between intermediaries and farmers can be inconsistent, leaving partners unprepared and sometimes disappointed.
As part of Carbify’s mission, we aim to move toward direct engagement wherever possible, allowing farmers to be fully informed, involved, and empowered from day one. Projects like these succeed when everyone understands not just the what, but the why.
Despite these hiccups, the visits were productive. I was invited to stay overnight at a homestay run by another farming partner, Nicholas, whose warm hospitality and deep connection to the land made an impression that will last. That evening, as we sat among banana trees and chatted about climate patterns and soil health, I could feel the strength of the community here. These aren’t just project sites; they are homes, stories, and legacies.
The fields in São Pedro de Alcântara have a unique beauty. Here, the climate is humid and temperate, which means trees grow more slowly than in the tropical north, but they grow stronger and more consistently. The slower pace of agroforestry in Southern Brazil reflects the region’s steady, thoughtful approach to building resilient ecosystems.
This approach is what makes these plots special. They are not racing towards completion. They are constructing ecosystems that will endure over time.
I visited multiple Carbify batches with Italo, a friendly and knowledgeable field coordinator, who guided us through uphill banana groves and newly planted forest corridors. The arrangement of the trees was meticulous. The health of the plots is excellent.
We saw inga trees filling out their canopy, hardwoods holding their line, and a delicate balance of biodiversity emerging with each passing season. These forests are becoming stable carbon sinks, sources of food, and habitats for local wildlife, all aligned with our standards under the Global Carbon Standard (GCS).
The southern region of Brazil reminds us that agroforestry doesn’t have a single formula. What works in the Amazon won’t work here, and that’s the beauty of it. When communities adapt the principles of syntropic agriculture to their unique conditions, the results speak for themselves.
We often think of climate work in global terms, but it’s at the local level where the real changes happen. One tree. One plot. One family. And in places like São Pedro de Alcântara, those small decisions are laying the foundation for long-term climate resilience.
By supporting agroforestry in Southern Brazil, we’re not just planting trees; we’re building long-term ecosystems and empowering local farmers for generations to come. As I prepared to leave the region, I felt both satisfaction and responsibility. The trees here are healthy. The people are passionate. But we must continue improving communication, ensuring every farming partner knows that they are not just participants; they are co-creators of this work.
Our projects are only as strong as the relationships behind them. And if this visit taught me anything, it’s that relationship-building is a constant process, one that requires presence, clarity, and trust.
