One of the most remarkable social enterprises I’ve encountered in recent years is Ejido Verde, in Michoacan, Mexico, now run by CEO Shaul Paul. By reestablishing pine forest where they were once universal, Ejido Verde will grow a pine resin industry with the potential to employ thousands of people, lifting them into the middle class. Ejido Verde is helping indigenous people to cultivate and care for trees for a decade before they begin to produce resin. Once they begin to produce, Ejido Verde will accept repayment in the form of raw resin--just 10 percent of the production. Ejido Verde also guarantee the purchase of the remaining resin at market prices. Pine resin is a big business globally, totalling about $10 billion USD. The resin is used in all sorts of products, including colas. After twenty years, the indigenous people will have the option to begin logging their trees or to continue harvesting resin--for up to 60 more years until the trees die naturally. Carbon credits are expected to supplement the income for the farmers. One notable observation. A few people who had emigrated to the United States have now returned to their homes to work in the pine resin industry. Never miss another interview! Join Devin here: http://bit.ly/joindevin. Click the following link to learn my insider secrets to media publicity for social impact: http://bit.ly/75offmedia.
You Have No Idea How Much This Pine Resin Is Going To Change A Whole Community - #1133