The Regenerative Farmers Cooperative: A Community-Led Movement
The Regenerative Farmers Cooperative began with a simple question:
How can the lessons learned at the Seedlings Farm support our wider community—and how can the community actively shape our work in return?
In early 2022, two encounters converged and opened the door to a shared initiative. One was a visit from Sarah, a Karen friend whose extended family—like many in the region—was looking for healthier, more resilient farming alternatives. The other was a meeting with the Ecca Family Foundation, who came to explore community-driven projects aligned with long-term regeneration. Their stories helped us recognise a common need and the possibility of building something together.
Over the next ten months, we walked fields, listened to concerns, mapped challenges, and co-designed a five-year pilot with twelve Karen families. The aim was clear: restore soil vitality, reduce dependency on harmful inputs, strengthen food security, and rebuild confidence in local agriculture through regenerative practices.
The first years demanded patience. Soil takes time to heal; new practices require trust; markets do not transform overnight. Some seasons were abundant, others disappointing. But collaboration grew stronger. Farmers experimented, adapted, improved protocols, and shared knowledge. Slowly, the soil responded. Families began to experience more stability, more pride in their work, and a renewed sense of agency.
Today, in late 2025, the project has grown into a vibrant community movement. More than 60 families are now involved—and the number continues to rise. Together they grow regeneratively, process value-added products, and sell through our partner network and the newly opened Green Market in Pai. The energy now comes from within the community itself: mutual support, shared learning, and a collective vision for the future.
As we enter the next phase, our focus for the coming two years is clear:
strengthen and refine regenerative protocols so we can confidently onboard more farmers and support the growth of a stable, community-led regenerative economy.
This journey is built on co-creation and would not have been possible without a network of partners who walk alongside us. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Living Root, the Ecca Family Foundation, Mana Impact, Imaginal Seeds, and Nina Alexandersen for their trust, commitment, and long-term support.
Objectives
- Ecological objective: showcase how a natural approach to agriculture based on natural resources management can improve soil’s health and production;
- Social objective: develop skills (land management, financial litteracy, technical skills, etc), encourage growth mindset, provide income and debt reduction schemes for the duration of the project;
- Economical objective: provide material individual support to develop production capacity (water management, seeds, trees, tools and material) and develop a cooperative business model to make farmers independent;
The regeneration strategy
Regeneration work is challenging because it is adresses multi-faceted problems. Which also makes it such a fascinating and enriching collective enterprise! Modern practices of farming and doing economy has not only degraded our soils (upon which relies the farmers’ capacity to grow crops) but also people’s economic agency and sense of cultural pride. This is what has inspired the complexe and holistic structure of this project.
Ecologic Regeneration
- Stop chemicals (herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers)
- Stop tilling
- Stop burning
- Produce organic intrants: composts, pest-control
- Redesign land: agroforestry and syntropic landscaping for large biomass production
- Redesign water management and irrigation to control erosion
- Diversify production with annual and perennial crops
- Introduce crops rotation
Social Empowerment
- Moratorium on agricultural debt and debt payback scheme supported by Pai Seedlings Foundation
- Monthly income guaranteed during the 5 years project
- Training and education on technical skills related to land management (compost, biochar, wood vinegar, organic farming, seed saving, food processing, etc.), financial litteracy
- Develop cooperative practices and collaboration rather than competition
- Visits to other organic farms and regenerative projects in northern thailand to breed inspiration and foster networking
- Food for school initiative: supply the village school with organic produce from our project
Economic Development
- Creation of a network in the region to connect farmers to buyers and government agencies
- Stand at local markets to sell fresh produce
- Direct sales to partner restaurants network
- Build and operate a processing facility in the village, develop finished products to increase their market value and market accessibility
- Invest in a cooperative to share machines, tools, knowledge and marketing efforts
- Support entrepreneurial initiatives with a comprehensive framework to grow ideas into viable projects
The Muang Noi Community Enterprise
Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of Pai, Mae Hong Son, the Muang Noi Community Enterprise was established in 2024 as a way to empower the farmers. It embodies their dedication to revitalizing their lands and communities. Our passion for environmental stewardship enables us to cultivate vibrant, nutrient-rich foods while honoring our cherished cultural heritage. The Muang Noi Community Enterprise, which has grown from the Regenerative Farmers Cooperative project started in 2024 in collaboration with Pai Seedlings Foundation, aims at pairing this social and ecological excellence to economic empowerment.
The BeLeaf brand
In partnership with the Pai Seedlings Foundation, the Muang Noi Community enterprise proudly developed the BeLeaf brand—an initiative to foster eco-conscious living, support local farmers, and invigorate local economies. What the BeLeaf brand targets is nothing less than excellence. Through our growing range of products, you will have a chance to taste ingredients and recipes that testify to the soil and community vitality. All the ingredients we use are grown organically in the network regenerative farms, hand-picked and hand-cooked with love and dedication, from the seeds we save to the final product we craft.
By choosing our products you don’t only treat your body to food as medicine but also support the efforts of regenerative local farmers and agricultural soil regeneration.
This is not only about farmers, here are ways you can be part of the regenerative model:
As a business: supply your restaurant with our products
Please contact us to learn how you can join our network of partners and supply your restaurant/hotel with the best products only: link to Offers & Products / Partnerships
As an individual or family: join our CSA & Food Box program
Do you want to be part of this adventure and enjoy the best food available in town? Join our CSA & Foodbox program: link to CSA & Foodbox page
As a grower: join our regenerative cooperative
Are you an organic farmer looking for your peers? Join our cooperative, together we are stronger!
Do you want to support us?
Choose which project you want to support, choose the amount, and become part of the solution!