Research behind the books
The Whole Tree Economic Model
Thomas McOsker’s Harvard thesis, 2026
Thesis · 2026
Monetizing Coffee Leaves and Fruit to Fund Regenerative Agriculture: A Case Study in Puerto Rico
Thomas McOsker · Harvard Extension School · Harvard DASH
A research-led examination of overlooked value in coffee cultivation and its potential to finance regenerative agroforestry.
The Whole Tree Economic Model explores the possibility that coffee leaves and fruit, when responsibly harvested and economically viable, may generate complementary value alongside conventional coffee production. The work examines agricultural productivity, processing costs, ecological trade-offs, and the financial conditions required for regenerative practice.
Read the research in context
The results are modeled estimates for a case study. Costs, yields, harvest practices, and access to buyers affect whether the assumptions hold elsewhere.
Read the findings, assumptions, and thesis citation