Menu
WELCOME TO THE BIOINTENSIVE COMMUNITY.
ABOUT US
GROW BIOINTENSIVETM
ORGANIC SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AT A HUMAN SCALE
Mission
To educate and train individuals in organic, sustainable, human-scale agriculture through courses, workshops, distance learning, and personalized guidance—with the goal of building sustainable communities rooted in mutual support, healthy soils, nutritious food, and human well-being. To position Ecología y Población (ECOPOL) and El Mezquite as living examples of Biointensive organic agriculture at a human scale—models of the agriculture of the future—and as vital resources for small-scale producers around the world.
Vision
We are inspired by a world in which small-scale organic farmers can sustainably grow abundant, healthy food for themselves and their families—even in limited spaces—while restoring, preserving, and enhancing the fertility of their soils. Our vision is rooted in the formation of vibrant, productive, and supportive communities—where healthy soil gives rise to healthy crops, and a shared commitment to sustainability strengthens the fabric of life.
Values
Coherence: Living the principles, philosophy, and values of the Method. Empathy: Embracing the personal and social circumstances of Biointensivists around the world. Respect: For the soil, natural processes, ecosystems, and ancestral knowledge. Humility: Recognizing our limitations and seeking support from friends and allies to overcome them. Wisdom: Committing to research, ongoing learning, and generating solid information to adapt Biointensive agriculture to the diverse ecosystems where it is practiced, fostering resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Tolerance: Toward the differences among various organic agricultural approaches. Generosity: Sharing the experiences and knowledge accumulated over 52 years. Perseverance: Overcoming challenges and obstacles along the way in pursuit of our goals
FOUNDER OF ECOLOGY ACTION
JOHN JEAVONS
Executive Director: John Jeavons has served as the Director of Ecology Action’s Mini-Cultivation Program since 1972. He is the author of the influential book How to Grow More Vegetables (and Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops) Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land with Less Water Than You Can Imagine, which outlines the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Sustainable Mini-Farming system. In addition to this seminal work, he has authored, co-authored, or edited more than 30 publications for Ecology Action. His core responsibilities include leading both field and theoretical research, as well as teaching the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method of sustainable food cultivation. John Jeavons has served as a consultant for projects implementing the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method in Mexico, Kenya, Ecuador, Argentina, Russia, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and throughout the United States. He holds a degree in Political Science from Yale University. Prior to founding Ecology Action, he worked as a systems analyst for government agencies and universities in 1971. He has received numerous awards for his public service, including the Boise Peace Quilt Award, the Santa Fe Living Treasure designation, the Giraffe Award, and the Steward of Sustainable Agriculture Award.
CO-FOUNDER OF ECOPOL
JUAN MANUEL MARTÍNEZ
Juan Manuel Martínez is the co-founder and current President of Ecología y Población (ECOPOL), and serves as the international partner and legal representative of Ecology Action. He discovered the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method in 1982 and met John Jeavons in 1983. Since then, he has consistently used, promoted, and taught the Method across Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa. He has organized three international gatherings of Biointensivists in Mexico, one in Costa Rica, and a global meeting in the Dominican Republic. He has also led the merger of ECOPOL with El Mezquite A.C. and 23 like-minded organizations across 14 countries. In addition to translating and editing Ecology Action’s publications, Juan Manuel is a member of Ecology Action’s staff, President of ECOPOL-El Mezquite, and a Certified Master-Level Teacher of the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method, accredited by Ecology Action.
founder of EL MEZQUITE
Marisol Tenorio López
Biologist specialized in Ecology and Natural Resources from the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (UAA).
Holder of a Diploma in Environmental Legislation from Universidad Cuauhtémoc in coordination with CECADESU-SEMARNAT (2000).
Master’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences (UAA–CONACYT, 2013–2014).
Marisol is a member of the Ecology Action–Ecopol–El Mezquite staff (Willits, California, USA) and serves as Coordinator of the Certification and Accreditation Process for the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
She was certified as a Master-Level Teacher in the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method by Ecology Action (2014), and is part of the international training team for the method across three continents.
She led the development of the Training and Research Center for the Biointensive Method, El Mezquite, located in Jesús María, Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Marisol also serves as the Director and Coordinator of Comunidad y Sustentabilidad El Mezquite A.C., and is a key link in the partnership between Ecopol and El Mezquite.
Her work focuses on the dissemination of Sustainable Agriculture, the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method, and green technologies applied to sustainability.
She is also a producer of food and medicinal seeds, and a founding member of the Red de Educación Ambiental de Aguascalientes A.C.
Marisol has facilitated GROW BIOINTENSIVE training workshops in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Spain, Italy, and Kenya.
FoUNder of EL MEZQUITE
JOSÉ AGUSTÍN MEDINA MACÍAS
Agroindustrial Engineer from the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes (UAA), with specializations in Ecology and Rural Development (ITESO, 2002) and in Environmental Education for Adults (Universidad Bonaterra–SEMARNAT–INEPJA, 2003).
He holds a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Sciences (UAA–CONACYT, 2013–2014) and has been a Certified Master-Level Teacher of the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method by Ecology Action, Willits, California, since 2014.
José Agustín is a member of the Ecology Action–Ecopol–El Mezquite team and serves as Coordinator of the Certification and Accreditation Process for the Biointensive Method in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. He is also part of the international training staff for candidate certification in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.
He is a founding member of Comunidad y Sustentabilidad El Mezquite A.C., where he coordinates the training and research process at the El Mezquite Garden in Jesús María, Aguascalientes. He is also the Director and Founder of Suelo Saludable M.R.
His work focuses on the dissemination of Sustainable Agriculture, the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method, and green technologies for sustainability.
He is a founding partner of the Red de Educación Ambiental de Aguascalientes A.C. and a member of the Sociedad Mexicana de Agricultura Sustentable since 2015.
José Agustín has facilitated workshops and trainings in the GROW BIOINTENSIVE Method in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Spain, Italy, and Kenya.
Welcome to the Biointensive community.
CONTACT US
- cultivebiointensivamente@gmail.com
ECOPOL , EL MEZQUITE (C) 2024 | TODOS LOS DERECHOS RESERVADOS