ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION OAK SOCIETY
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2026
A LEGACY OF GROWTH AND GIVING Collaborations with organizations like Plant With Purpose show how the Arbor Day Foundation’s long-term partnerships can change lives and restore vital water sources What was once a barren plot has blossomed into a thriving farm, rich with cocoa, avocado, sapote, lemons, and grafted oranges.
“We used to be slaves to debt,” he says. “Now, we borrow from ourselves, invest in our farms, and even help each other in times of need.”
“Before, we only had one or two crops,” Cesar says. “Now, we have variety — and that’s what sustains us.”
Cesar’s farm is a family affair. His children work alongside him, learning not just the value of hard work and stewardship, but also the responsibility and pride that come with earning their own way.
With the support of this partnership, he learned to diversify his crops, improve soil health, and build a sustainable agroforestry system. “We didn’t even know about grafted avocado,” he says. “Now we grow it — and so much more.” The benefits extend beyond agriculture. Together with Cesar and his neighbors, Plant With Purpose establishes savings groups, giving the community financial security and independence from moneylenders.
The trees he’s planted have changed the ecosystem around him, cooling the air and capturing water. “Before, there was no melina, no sapote,” he says. “Now, the land is alive, and I feel happy when I walk my plot. Everything I need is here and I don’t have to ask anyone for help — I have enough to live, and enough to give.”