 Thousands of years ago, our ancestors started growing crops and raising livestock, which led to a change in our relationship with nature. Instead of constantly foraging for food, we learned how to work with land, water, and the elements around us to grow everything we needed to thrive, by keeping a harmonic relationship with our environment and the natural resources that surrounded us. More recently, we've made drastic changes to our lifestyles. Scientific and technological progress allowed us to gradually produce more food, yet more food production often comes at a price. How can we conserve the traditional systems for the sustainable use of biodiversity and natural resources? To recognize traditional agriculture's invaluable role in contributing to resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO, launched the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems, GS program. The program aims to identify and conserve agricultural heritage systems based on a dynamic conservation approach, raise awareness about their global importance, and find ways to incorporate innovative actions to help strengthen and address current threats and challenges. So far, FAO has officially recognized over 60 GS sites in more than 20 countries. Each of these systems supports the livelihoods of the local community, works in harmony with its environment by promoting biodiversity, uses traditional knowledge and local customs for food production through ecosystem conservation and sustainable resource management, nurture specific cultures and social institutes, and has shaped remarkable landscapes. Through dynamic conservation actions and a holistic and future-oriented approach, GS promotes sustainable agri-tourism, branding and marketing of local products, agro-biodiversity, and empowers women and youth. Best practices and lessons learned from GS sites can help accelerate the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems while leaving no one behind.