Traditional knowledge has helped people to farm in harmony with nature, conserve local biodiversity, prevent and cure diseases, as well as predict and cope with natural disasters. But in many societies, this knowledge is rapidly disappearing. This is due to migration and modernisation, as well as decades of unsustainable policies that have favoured the interests of the corporate sector in our food systems. Local initiatives that treasure and share traditional knowledge deserve our full attention, as they will benefit future generations.