In a bid to address the growing challenges of feeding an ever-expanding global population, the spotlight shines on resilient cereals like millets as a promising solution. The International Year of Millets 2023 (IYM) was inaugurated with a resounding message at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Rodrigo was invited to the global event in Rome, in October 2023, to proudly represent Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Valdivia culture, one of oldest settled cultures recorded in the Americas, existed 8000-9000 years ago and left a legacy of archeological treasures. The Valdivia were known for developing incredible and distinctive pottery. We have collected two thousand artifacts that provide a rare window into the ways of life, gastronomy, and traditions of the deep past. Our vision is to reveal and elevate these objects through a world-class museum with participatory gastronomic learning experiences.

We are currently designing a 12 day eco-culinary experience for people who are interested to visit our beautiful area and learning about the connections between biodiversity, food and planetary wellbeing. The curriculum is based on connecting with our incredibly diverse landscapes, developing a deeper understanding of the living cycles of food, and and transforming of this knowledge into unforgettable eco-culinary advocacy experiences that can help to make change happen in the world.

Together with our educational nonprofit, we have already begun planting seeds of knowledge about regenerative agriculture and conservation in our surrounding communities. With three schools built, and support for families and they children, we are working to create systemic change which will help build a future for this bioregion that is secure and resilient - one with clean food, meaningful employment and a reconnection with pre-hispanic cultural strength & identity.