Agroforestry and regenerative agriculture (A/RA) are emerging as promising sustainable farming approaches that intertwine economic, social, and environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration. These practices are gaining traction globally due to their potential to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystem Integrity. However, the forest-farm edge generated by A/RA landscapes may give rise to pathogen spillover from wildlife into livestock and humans The impact of A/RA on human health and zoonotic infections has not been studied to date. This project examines the effects of these practices on farmworker health and susceptibility to arthropod-borne zoonotic diseases.
The investigative team held in-depth interviews with farmers (in person and via video) on farming practices, zoonotic risk factors, and climate perspectives and adaptations. Serum was obtained, and tested for exposure to endemic flaviviruses
(dengue virus, West Nile virus, Saint Louis encephalitis virus), endemic alphaviruses (eastern equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus/Everglades strain, chikungunya virus), and tick-borne pathogens (Rickettsia species, Ehrlichia species, Borrelia burgdorferi). Thirty participants were enrolled, of whom 14 (47%) had been exposed to one or more vector-borne pathogens. This exposure was not significantly associated with tree cover or agroforestry practice. While the sample size is small, agroforestry practices do not appear to pose a risk for vector-borne pathogens.