In the heart of southeast Texas, Abianne Falla, a member of the Chickasaw Nation and founder of CatSpring Yaupon, embraces traditional ecological practices in her tea operation to promote environmental stewardship. Abianne is the caretaker for acres of Yaupon—a native tea plant cherished by North American Indigenous communities for millennia—embodying the values of regenerative agriculture and cultural preservation. As a licensed user of the Intertribal Agriculture Council's (IAC) Made/Produced by American Indians trademark and Rege[N]ation Pledge and Seal, Abianne's story highlights the profound connection between cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.
This spirit of regeneration and tradition thrives at the IAC through its American Indian Foods (AIF) and Natural Resources programs and the Rege[N]ation Pledge and Seal initiative, which provides support for and recognizes the efforts of producers like Abianne who honor traditional ecological practices. The Rege[N]ation pledge and seal is exclusively available to American Indian and Alaska Native agricultural producers—from farmers and ranchers to harvesters and foragers—to recognize environmental stewardship while honoring traditional, cultural, and Native-led agricultural wisdom.
"One of the things I'm super excited about with Rege[N]ation is that it's not just about the practices that we're implementing but about the continuation of tradition, and I think that's really important to me."
Abianne's journey into sustainable agriculture and the start of her business, CatSpring Yaupon, began when an unexpected opportunity revealed itself during a drought that withered the land across Texas in 2011. As it turns out, Yaupon is a tea plant that thrives in dry weather, does not produce tannins, and is full of antioxidants. She saw Yaupon flourishing during the drought and, in turn, saw an opportunity to develop a product centered on sustainability and the values of her Chickasaw community. "The definition of a warrior in the Chickasaw culture is as a steward and a protector of the land," Abianne shared. Like many Indigenous worldviews, she noted, "It's ours to protect, and it's ours to preserve." This ancestral wisdom informs how and why CatSpring Yaupon prioritizes grassland restoration. "The plant in its current state is to the detriment of the land. If we want it to be improved for soil health, carbon sequestration, water table recharge, biodiversity, and all of these things, then we need to be doing more," Abianne emphasized. "For me, at this current state, that means grassland restoration."
For CatSpring Yaupon, regenerative agriculture considers the well-being of the land and people, especially its workers, who often move from one crisis to the next. IAC's Rege[N]ation Pledge recognizes the benefits of resilient agricultural practices and, for Abianne, supports the demand for a growing business. "IAC does an incredible job of putting resources on the desks of farmers […] of inviting us in, she explained. “That is such a gift because we're so busy. We are often staying afloat or trying to grow. And, so, to be out there learning what resources are available, or what we qualify for, or what we should be considering could be another full-time job."
You can help us support Native Regenerators like Abianne today! With every dollar matched from December 3rd to December 31st, up to $1,500, your gift ensures continued investment in regenerative agricultural practices to restore the land for future generations.
CatSpring Yaupon now features over a dozen products, from loose-leaf teas to strainers and more. Abianne's story illuminates the spirit of the Rege[N]ation Pledge and Seal, where Native Regenerators honor Native traditions that heal the land.
"I think IAC does such a great job, supporting and really feeling like this additional advocate or champion in our corner."
The mission of IAC is to pursue and promote the conservation, development, and sustainable use of agricultural resources for the betterment of Native communities. We take pride in championing Abianne and hundreds of other individual Native producers. To learn more about CatSpring Yaupon and other Made/Produced by American Indians trademark and Rege[N]ation businesses, visit the AIF Trademark Directory.
This holiday season, discover unique, eco-conscious gifts from the American Indian Foods Trademark Directory—created by American Indian and Alaska Native producers.