By Qai Hinds
Watch it Willy Wonka! Gary Curtis Mitchel, the current owner of the Green Acres Chocolate Farm led CSW students on a tour through his enormous and charming garden and his cacao farm. We started this unique experience with a conversation about the importance of the greenhouse effect. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of living immersed in nature and how it was transformative for him after living the majority of his life in the concrete jungle; specifically, in Los Angles, California. Gary assured us that it is up to today’s generation to help create change in restoring this planet. Throughout the walk, he would quiz the CSW students to establish an appreciation of the nature around us. Gary has three favorite trees and his number #1 is the Almendro Tree which was in danger but through conservation efforts, he has restored the tree in various parts of Isla Colón. This tree was endangered due to its termite preventing thick wood, it was often used for construction. Gary has many other TEDx Talks and interviews that are accessible both below and on youtube. It was an incredible experience meeting a celebrity in the world of chocolate, Willy Wonka cannot compare to the greatness and conservativeness of Gary Curtis Mitchell.
Click on Cacao & Forest Restoration to see photos of our day.
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