Field Notes from my journey creating Living Ground, Ecuador.


“If I want people to care about the Earth itself, about the land and soil that feed us, about the way our food, medical, political, and religious systems are shaping us, and about how divided and dysfunctional we have become, then I need to plant those concerns inside stories that are wide enough and deeply connective enough that others can recognize themselves within them.” Leisha of the Living Ground Project.

Living Ground Recent Posts

The Hidden Work of Vetiver

What We Notice, and What the Soil Is Actually Doing There is a moment on land that comes before explanation, before theory, before formal science, when…

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Inflammation Is Not a Discovery

Hey, I am not a scientist, but I do carry a kind of lived understanding that comes from watching the body closely over time. So when…

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Living Ground Shift

Things are shifting a little here at Living Ground. Those who are following or aware of our situation, we are being forced to reinvent and get…

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The Plants That Travel With Us,

There is a plant I was recently introduced too, Laritaco. In botanical language it is known as Vernonanthura patens. It is a shrub with narrow leaves…

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Aerial view of Project Site 2023 Masanamaca, Southern Ecuador

The Living Ground Project is a visionary initiative dedicated to fostering self-reliance and sustainable living through hands-on education and community empowerment. Our mission is to create a thriving, living example of holistic sustainability, from nurturing healthy soil to cultivating diverse foods and medicines, and transforming these into nourishing, delicious products. We aim to be a comprehensive educational center, teaching both locals and visitors the skills needed for self-sufficiency, while also providing opportunities for eco-tourism and cultural exchange. The project encompasses a natural health food store, café, and apothecary, showcasing the practical applications of our sustainable practices. By offering rare and unusual plants and seeds, we promote biodiversity and encourage others to explore unique cultivation methods. Our vision extends to developing a product line of essential oils and producing microbe-rich inoculants, emphasizing the importance of soil health and natural farming methods. We offer land consulting services to help others regenerate their soils and transition away from chemical dependency. Additionally, we host health and healing retreats, workshops, and educational programs focused on human health, particularly the human microbiome, aiming to reduce dependency on pharmaceuticals. Central to our vision is the creation of meaningful local employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, demonstrating that self-reliance and community support can go hand in hand. Through these diverse efforts, the Living Ground Project aspires to be a beacon of sustainable living, inspiring individuals and communities worldwide to embrace self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship, and collaborative growth

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