Sonho de Cheiro: Cultivating Dreams and Communities

A blend of tradition, sustainability, and opportunity. What started as ForestScent Alliance has now blossomed into Sonho de Cheiro (“Dream Scent”), a project that connects families with the land, teaching them how to cultivate medicinal and aromatic plants while building a pathway toward financial independence. This agricultural initiative is about resilience, community, and the power of nature to transform lives. With the support of The Pollination Project, what once seemed like a distant hope is now an emerging reality, bringing economic opportunities and renewed purpose to families in need.

Sonho de Cheiro began as an effort to empower rural families through the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants. Initially, 45 families joined the program, learning about sustainable agriculture, plant-based product development, and cooperative business models. While some participants faced challenges that prevented them from completing the full program, 26 families successfully finished the training, and efforts are already in place to reintegrate those who had to step away. A significant breakthrough came with the formation of key partnerships: one with a local essential oils industry and another with an NGO that owns an abandoned facility originally built for essential oil production.

Now, the project is working to secure funding to equip and revitalize this space, allowing families to process and manufacture essential oils and related products on a larger scale. Though initial production has begun, a fully equipped facility will enable the cooperative to obtain necessary legal permits, ensuring higher product value and a more structured, sustainable business model.

Thanks to The Pollination Project’s support, Sonho de Cheiro has flourished in ways that once seemed impossible. The grant made it possible to complete hands-on workshops, resulting in seven hectares of medicinal and aromatic plants cultivated for collective production. Under the newly established Sonho de Cheiro brand, the community has already developed and introduced four natural products: essential oils, tea bags, and incense.

Additionally, two strategic partnerships have been secured, bringing the project closer to legalizing and formalizing a small, community-operated industry. While full financial sustainability has not yet been reached, there is a steady increase in monthly income, demonstrating the project’s growing potential. Beyond plant cultivation, another unexpected opportunity has emerged: rural tourism. Through conversations with local families, the team identified a deep interest in offering community-based tourism experiences. As a result, two new tourist routes are now being developed, providing additional income streams and strengthening the connection between visitors and Brazil’s rich agricultural heritage

The community is expanding its fields, planting new seeds – both literally and figuratively – for the future. The next major milestone is the full legalization of production and the establishment of a small-scale essential oils industry that will serve as a foundation for long-term economic stability. With growing partnerships, increasing production capacity, and a rising demand for natural products, Sonho de Cheiro is on the verge of something truly transformative. This project is a movement toward empowerment, sustainability, and a future where rural families thrive. In 2025, the dream continues to grow, and with every step forward, Sonho de Cheiro is proving that a single seed of opportunity can bloom into something extraordinary.

Theo Ishido

Born and raised in the city, Theo Ishido was drawn to nature from an early age, eventually leaving urban life behind to immerse himself in the countryside. Without formal education, he pursued knowledge through self-study, developing expertise in agroforestry and agronomy. His journey took a pivotal turn when he joined the Movimento dos Sem Terras (Landless Workers’ Movement), advocating for land rights and sustainable farming.

A recent ADHD diagnosis brought clarity to his unconventional path, leading him to explore natural remedies. This discovery sparked Sonho de Cheiro, a project cultivating medicinal plants and producing essential oils to create sustainable income for rural families. Today, Theo’s life is dedicated to the land, community, and the power of nature to transform lives.

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