We Make a Global Difference
Pines has contributed millions of dollars between cash contributions and product to hundreds of charities. PINES supports global feeding programs and has contributed many thousands of pounds of wheatgrass to hospitals, orphanages and other rescue groups throughout the world.
We Want to Give Back on a Global Basis
Besides giving greens to feeding programs in the United States, Africa and Central America, we support other causes. For more than 40 years, we have supported sustainable farming as well as protecting the planet and wildlife. Our values of giving back to the planet and its people was a core reason for starting Pines in 1976. More than 100 people invested an average of $200 each, not because they expected big returns. They joined us because they believed in our goals. From the start, Pines has sought to make this a better world.
Converting Land Back to Nature & Organic Farming
The pine tree is the global symbol of the peace of nature. That's why we selected it as the name of our symbol. Even before starting Pines, the founders envisioned an education foundation. They called it the Wilderness Community Educational Foundation (WCEF). Its purpose is to preserve wildlife habitat and to promote organic farming and sustainable living. During our more than 40 years, Pines has purchased farm land for growing organic crops. Land not suitable for crops was donated to and purchased by the WCEF.
Besides Human Life, We also Support Wildlife
Pines and the WCEF work with other land and native grasses and woodlands. The University of Kansas Endowment Association owns these other tracts. They cooperate with us on wildlife corridors. These are usually areas along creeks and north-facing bluffs. Our concept is to limit homes to bluffs that face south, east or west. Other land such as bluffs and other woodland areas are for the free movement of wildlife.
Pines and the WCEF uses other areas as organic farmland, never to be used for building homes. This limits locations for homes to good solar sites. Such sites are usually not good for farming or not needed for wildlife corridors. Whether used as wildlife corridors or crops, all land owned by the WCEF and Pines is certified organic. Further, only non-GMO Project Verified crops are grown on the farmland. Most of our land was organic for many years before the national certified organic program. Pines founders served on both local and national groups to draft organic standards. Those efforts were nearly 20 years before the USDA standards.