The women gatherers of Florida who prove the forest offers much more than timber

There are no large machines or extensive operations. The work begins with walking, wearing boots, sacks over shoulders, and senses alert to identify the species that nature offers at the precise moment. This is how the members of the Sol Naciente de Manco Gatherers Association, in the commune of Florida, work, having turned the gathering of non-timber forest products into a way of life and a form of caring for the territory.

The group was formally founded in 2014 with around 30 members and today maintains about 15 people linked to its activities. Women and men are part of the organization, although it has historically been the women who have led the rescue and transmission of knowledge about medicinal plants and their properties.

Its president, Mary Núñez, highlights that collective work has been fundamental to remaining active despite the difficulties this activity faces.

Shared knowledge

The products they gather change with the seasons. Poleo, mint, chamomile, St. John's wort, boldo, peumo, matico, rosemary, and various varieties of eucalyptus are among the species they obtain throughout the year. They also work with rosehip, one of the products with the greatest potential for developing new products.

The group recently incorporated a machine that separates the pulp from the fruit, opening new opportunities to add value to their production.

However, the amount gathered never reaches large volumes. As Mary Núñez explains, "we gather what we can carry on foot," a phrase that summarizes the respect with which they carry out this work and the close relationship they maintain with the forest and its natural cycles.

The organization works on their own properties, private lands, and on land they access through agreements with forestry companies. Nevertheless, they acknowledge that forest fires and the decline of native forest have considerably reduced the availability of some species such as herbs, mushrooms, and fruits.

Patient work

The work continues in the association's processing room, where herbs are washed, sorted, and dehydrated to preserve their medicinal properties. The space has a dehydration oven, access to water through a deep well, and equipment obtained through various alliances with institutions and collaborating organizations.

Once processed, the products are sold at local fairs, sold to forestry companies, or distributed through intermediaries. Among the preparations they make, medicinal blends stand out, such as the traditional "pectoral," used to relieve respiratory discomfort, as well as infusions intended for digestive wellness.

The members of Sol Naciente also constantly participate in training sessions provided by universities and non-governmental organizations, incorporating new technical and technological tools that strengthen their work.

Living community

But perhaps the group's main value is not measured in kilos gathered or sales made. For many of its members, Sol Naciente has become a space for meeting, learning, and companionship.

Irlandia Romero, a member of the association, highlights the impact this work has on the daily lives of those who participate. "Here we come, we laugh, we chat, we have a little tea, and that helps us a lot," she comments, reflecting the spirit that characterizes the group.

Gathering thus becomes an activity that strengthens emotional health, a sense of belonging, and community ties in the rural world.

Despite the difficulties, the women gatherers continue seeking new opportunities to add value to their products, pass on their knowledge, and keep alive an activity that combines tradition, sustainability, and local development.

At Acoforag, we value the work carried out by the Sol Naciente de Manco Gatherers Association, whose effort demonstrates that the forest offers much more than timber. Non-timber forest products represent a valuable opportunity to promote sustainable rural economies, preserve natural heritage, and strengthen the communities that coexist daily with the territory.