From September 15th to October 15th, participants from around the world gathered at the Earth University, Navdanya Biodiversity Farm near Dehradun, India, for the “Return to Earth: Biodiversity, Agroecology & Regenerative Organic Farming” course. This month-long immersive program is one of the flagship offerings of Earth University, established by Navdanya—the movement founded by Dr. Vandana Shiva to defend seed and food sovereignty and support small farmers.
At Navdanya’s Earth University, experiential education comes alive: farmers, students, and global citizens learn by engaging with living soil, indigenous seeds, and community-based agriculture. The courses blend traditional knowledge with current ecological science, empowering participants to build resilient food systems and restore biodiversity. With workshops led by international experts and hands-on involvement with farmers and seed savers, participants learn to reconnect with the land, tackle the threats of industrial agriculture, and embody the principles of Earth Democracy: restoring rights, dignity, and responsibility to regenerate both ecosystems and communities.
Through Navdanya International’s programs such as Terrae Vivae, the principles and practices developed at Earth University are shared worldwide. Terrae Vivae’s approach is based on co-creative learning, ecological literacy, and active participation: it brings together local producers, grassroots organizations, and global networks to regenerate ecological communities and democratize food systems.
Education in agroecology, seed sovereignty, and food democracy—first cultivated at the Navdanya Biodiversity Farm—serves as a catalyst for global change. The knowledge exchanged in workshops and festivals in India inspires parallel actions across continents, linking young stewards, farmers, and citizens in a living network. Each participant becomes not just a recipient, but an agent for transforming food, farming, and the future.
Ultimately, the Navdanya model demonstrates that cultivating ecological wisdom is an act of care, collaboration, and connection—whether in Dehradun or Rome, Brazil or Ghana. Through place-based learning and international exchange, Navdanya’s educational work bridges tradition and innovation, fostering resilient, just, and sustainable communities for the Earth and all her inhabitants.