Regenerative agriculture

Following a visit to our partner farm on Jeju Island, organic certification specialist Rob Milner wrote:

“The tea plants were not pruned according to traditional practices to increase yield, but allowed to grow as naturally as possible to enrich the tea with the aromas intended by nature… The inputs used in their fertilization plan not only help with plant nutrition, but also contribute to a microclimate for each plant, which contributes to these unique aromas. The tea farm has been USDA and EU organic certified since 2007, but the culture of this way of farming… existed long before organic certification standards and today’s conventional farming methods. ”

Wild Orchard's exclusive partner farm on Jeju Island uses no fertilizers, pesticides, or even a simple irrigation system for tea cultivation. The native volcanic soil is so vibrant and mineral-rich that it is perfectly fertile on its own (initially, when the tea plants were very young and needed some support, the farm's organically raised geese roamed the tea fields, eating only the sprouting weeds and naturally fertilizing the soil with their droppings). The island's temperate climate provides ample rainfall and a constant sea breeze, eliminating the need for artificial irrigation or aeration systems.

The farm also cultivates other organic crops and raises livestock such as dairy cows, pigs, ducks, and geese (yes, the same geese mentioned above), from which organic inputs are harvested to support the tea plants. The entire farm, from the green tea fields to the surrounding area, thrives with native plants, insects, animals, and trees, further enriching the soil microbiome. Partnering with a farm that cultivates its green tea trees biodynamically and regeneratively, focusing on soil quality, allows us to work in harmony with nature and contribute to long-term solutions to our climate and health crises.