Agricultura de Vida is a Mexican non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about sustainable food production. Its mission is to identify and promote agroecological practices, techniques, and procedures that improve the overall quality of life of ecosystems and communities.

For the past 11 years, the organization has been actively teaching, using, and promoting the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method in the states of Colima, Jalisco, and Chiapas.

Contact:
📨 Miguel Ángel Rosas Urzúa
📧 agriculturadevida@gmail.com
📞 +52 312 144 1103

* AGROECOLOGICAL FARM MACONDO.

Agroecological Initiative – Chocó Andino, Ecuador

Located in the Chocó Andino of Pichincha, specifically in the Toalí sector, at the border of the Gualea and Pacto parishes, our project is focused on transforming a former sugarcane and pasture monoculture farm into a diverse and resilient agroecological system.

Our core objective is to promote comprehensive and multidimensional agroecological transition processes. For us, agroecology is not only a production model—it is also a tool for social transformation.

We manage a 5-hectare property, of which 3 hectares are dedicated to conservation, including secondary forest, ravine banks, and biological corridors.
Our production is based on agroforestry systems, currently cultivating bananas, coffee, cassava, citrus, and leafy greens.

In addition to food production, we offer training and workshops on:

• Agroecological farming
• GROW BIOINTENSIVE® agriculture
• Conservation practices
• Environmental education
• Popular education and community empowerment

We participate and promote local, regional and national articulation processes. We belong to the Asociación Agroecológica Las Tangaras, La Feria Agroecológica Kurikancha Plaza de la vida en Ibarra, el Colectivo Agroecológico del Ecuador y OMASNE.

Contact information:

Eduar Pinzón Cano
Mobile: +593 969182624
www.facebook.com/finca.agroeco.macondo/

*BIOURUGUAY, URUGUAY

in progress

CENTRO MAZAHUA MÉXICO

State of Mexico, Mexico

The Centro Mazahua is dedicated to creating both a physical and human space for experimenting with new sustainable models of agriculture and livestock, with a focus on producing nutrient-rich food for children, pregnant women, and their families.

The Center actively promotes the cultivation of vegetables through biointensive gardens in rural communities across the State of Mexico, aiming to strengthen food sovereignty, particularly for families with children under the age of five.

As part of its work in 2024, the Centro Mazahua successfully produced a total of 4,738 kilograms of vegetables, contributing directly to local nutrition and community resilience.

Retrospective of the Mazahua Center’s biointensive garden

In the early 1970s, Polly Noyce became acquainted with Ecology Action and its director, John Jeavons. In 1983, she traveled to Kenya and purchased a former children’s school located four hours north of Nairobi. She offered the property to Ecology Action to serve as the site for a Biointensive agriculture project. The Board of Directors approved the proposal, and in 1984, the Mannor House Agricultural Center was officially founded.

The center offers a two-year training program for high school graduates in Biointensive Agriculture (BA) and other appropriate technologies. Beginning in the early 1990s, the center expanded its reach by offering one-week workshops to self-help groups—mostly composed of women farmers—as well as three-month and six-week courses for staff from other organizations.

In 1994, Emmanuel Omondi, a Kenyan agronomist, interned for six months at Ecology Action’s Mini-Farm in Willits, California. In 1996, he was appointed Director of Mannor House. Under his leadership, the center’s infrastructure, staff structure, program offerings, and institutional partnerships have all significantly improved and expanded.

Thanks to successful grant applications, Omondi has overseen renovations to existing buildings, upgrades to school facilities, and the launch of a robust outreach program. This program supports the development of Training Mini-Centers (TMCs)—local hubs where communities are trained to replicate the Biointensive method. To date, 25 TMCs have been established, extending the center’s impact throughout the region.

Additionally, Omondi has built partnerships with NGOs and government development agencies working in rural Kenya to coordinate efforts, reduce duplication, and expand access to sustainable agriculture education.

Mannor House was the first organization in Kenya that taught BA and as a result more than 100,000 people have been trained and in turn more than 100 organizations now teach BA as well.

* COLIBRI SEEDS AND COLIBRI EDUCATIONAL GARDEN, MÉXICO

Colibrí Seeds & Colibrí Educational Garden

Salto, Jalisco, Mexico

📍 Located in the peri-urban zone of Guadalajara, Colibrí Seeds spans approximately 5 hectares dedicated to sustainable agriculture, seed conservation, and education.

The farm features:

• An edible forest combining fruit and timber trees
• Two rainwater harvesting ponds
• A seed house conserving nearly 3,000 varieties of open-pollinated native and creole seeds
• A greenhouse for germination
• 50 growing beds for seed production
• Designated educational spaces and an area for animal integration

Founded in 1995 as a gourmet garden, Colibrí transitioned in 2009 to the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method, diversifying its food production. In 2010, they established the seed house, enabling full-cycle sustainability for their crops, environment, and health.

The Colibrí Educational Garden and Seed House is now a reference space for the conservation, production, and exchange of native seeds, applying the Biointensive method as its foundational technique. This space prioritizes educational outreach to schools, universities, collectives, and rural communities to empower people with agroecological tools and knowledge.

Workshops and Courses Offered

• Seed Production
• Emotional Composting
• Biointensive Farming in Small Urban Spaces
• Pedagogical Training for educators seeking to promote food literacy through hands-on growing

…and much more.

Contact Information

📧 semillascolibri@gmail.com
📱 WhatsApp: +52 331 893 2016
🔎 Social Media: @semillascolibri

* ECOHUELLA PERÚ

Ecohuella Agroecological School

Sacllo, Sacred Valley of the Incas – Calca, Cuzco, Peru

Ecohuella is a peasant agroecological school founded 18 years ago by the Nina Cusiyupanqui family in the rural community of Sacllo, located at 2,980 meters above sea level in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Calca district and province, Cuzco region.

Rooted in ancestral peasant knowledge passed down through generations, Ecohuella has become a regional demonstration center and model of agroecology, inspiring farmers, students, and institutions across the Cuzco area. The school integrates principles and techniques of the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method, and currently cultivates over 10,000 square meters of vegetables, grains, tubers, and more—sold in local markets and select restaurants in Cuzco.

In recent years, Ecohuella also joined the Slow Farm community, a global movement aligned with Slow Food principles of biodiversity, sustainability, and food sovereignty.

About the Family Team

The school is powered by six members of the Nina Cusiyupanqui family, each with a defined role:

• Juana Cusiyupanqui Sánchez – Family matriarch and guardian of ancestral knowledge
• Yesica Nina Cusiyupanqui – Specialist in agriculture and livestock; trained in Biointensive Agriculture by Ecology Action (California)
• Julio César Nina Cusiyupanqui – Environmental engineer; also trained in Biointensive Agriculture by Ecology Action
• Richard Nina Cusiyupanqui – Agricultural production technician
• Janet Nina Cusiyupanqui – Agronomy graduate currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration
• Inti Amaru Huamán Nina – The youngest member, currently in junior high school

The family works collectively to manage the school and share their knowledge with producers, students, professionals, and the general public. Their Quechua fluency allows them to communicate effectively and respectfully in rural Andean contexts.

Core Areas of Work

Since its inception, Ecohuella has promoted:

• Organic farming with an emphasis on soil recovery and preservation
• The production and conservation of native and creole seeds
• Diversified and sustainable crop production
• Peer-to-peer training in agroecology and Biointensive farming methods

One of their greatest challenges—and aspirations—is to continue expanding their network of producers and inspire broader adoption of agroecological practices across the Andean region

in progress

* EL MAGUEYAL MÉXICO

Magueyal, Sujeto y Comunidad, A.C.

Magueyal, Sujeto y Comunidad A.C.

Cardonal, Hidalgo, Mexico

Where Did We Start?

Magueyal, Sujeto y Comunidad A.C. was born from the founders’ experiences working with other civil society organizations in diverse geographical contexts. Motivated by what they had learned, they established Magueyal to put that knowledge into practice and make it available to local communities in support of social processes for local and regional development.

The organization began working in communities within the municipality of Cardonal, Hidalgo, and continues to operate there today, with plans to expand into neighboring municipalities.

What Have We Achieved?

• Established 64 Biointensive gardens managed by rural and peasant families, each with three beds, supported through follow-up visits and technical assistance
• Certified 14 teachers at the basic level of the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method
• Delivered introductory training on the Method to 259 community members and family representatives
• Maintained an ongoing relationship with El Mezquite A.C. for continuous training and distance mentoring
• Integrated John Jeavons’ book, How to Grow More Vegetables, as a foundational reference in all training processes

Magueyal began working with the Biointensive Method in 2018 and has since continued to deepen its use as a tool for knowledge, connection with the soil, and family well-being.

What Have We Learned?

1. a) That working in an organized and coordinated way with all stakeholders is essential to achieving shared goals.
   b) That contextual diagnoses—social, environmental, economic—are key to proposing effective solutions, always ensuring community participation.
   c) That management, training, and accompaniment are indispensable to generating meaningful social impact.
   d) That teamwork strengthens the design and implementation of community solutions.

Field Highlights

• 🌱 Cieneguillita – A training session on transplanting seedlings with children at a local primary school.
• 🌿 El Molino – Follow-up visits to the garden of Cirila Cervantes Rebolledo, including experience-sharing with local youth.
• 🪱 San Andrés Daboxtha – Monitoring visit to the garden of Pablo Rómulo Mendoza, where compost was made using dry green matter.
• 🥬 San Miguel Tlazintla – “Sangría” lettuce harvested using the hexagonal planting pattern in gardens belonging to Justina Nava Bartolo and Mrs. Martha Ventura Sánchez.

in progress

* FINCA AGROECOLÓGICA MACONDO, ECUADOR

Finca Agroecológica Macondo

Chocó Andino, Pichincha, Ecuador

Located in the Toalí sector, at the intersection of the Gualea and Pacto parishes in the Chocó Andino of Pichincha, Finca Agroecológica Macondo is committed to transforming a former monoculture farm (sugarcane and pasture) into a diverse, regenerative, and agroecological food system.

For us, agroecology is more than a production model—it is a tool for social transformation, rooted in community participation, biodiversity, and ecological justice.

Our Mission

To promote comprehensive and multidimensional agroecological transitions, linking food production, conservation, and education in a living system that is both socially and environmentally resilient.

Our Space

• Total area: 5 hectares
• 3 hectares dedicated to conservation, including secondary forest, ravine banks, and biological corridors
• Main production through agroforestry systems, currently cultivating:
  • Bananas, coffee, cassava, citrus, and leafy greens

Our Work Includes

• Training in agroecological practices and GROW BIOINTENSIVE® agriculture
• Education in conservation, environmental awareness, and popular education
• Active participation in local, regional, and national networks

Affiliations

We are proud members of:

• Asociación Agroecológica Las Tangaras
• Feria Agroecológica Kurikancha – Plaza de la Vida (Ibarra)
• Colectivo Agroecológico del Ecuador
• OMASNE (Organización de Mujeres Agroecológicas del Noroccidente Ecuatoriano)

Contact Information

👤 Eduar Pinzón Cano
📱 +593 969 182 624
🔗 facebook.com/finca.agroeco.macondo

 Finca Calamina – Emmanuelle Eyraud

Quiabuc, Las Brisas, Achuapa, León, Nicaragua

📞 (505) 830-9005
📧 manuero@hotmail.com
🌐 www.finca-calamina.weebly.com

Emmanuelle Eyraud has been certified at the Advanced Level in the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method since 2022, by Ecology Action (USA) and ECOPOL (Mexico). She has practiced the method for over 10 years, and has facilitated and coordinated numerous family and school garden workshops with farmers, youth, and rural communities.

Finca Calamina

Located within the Quiabuc–Las Brisas–Achuapa–León Reserve, Finca Calamina is a diverse, regenerative agroecological farm that includes:

• 🥬 850 m² Biointensive Garden with 55 raised beds
• 🌳 2,250 m² Edible Forest
• ☕ 3-hectare High-Shade Coffee Plantation
• 🌱 1,500 m² Regenerative Plots
• 🌲 2-hectare Silvopastoral System integrating forest, pasture, and water care

The farm also offers basic accommodations, and hosts hands-on workshops in biointensive farming, cooking, and food processing.

As a producer, Emmanuelle has been transforming and marketing value-added products from the farm since 2012, including coffee, jams, condiments, wines, and more—sold to individuals, hotels, restaurants, and at local fairs.

He has led numerous trainings on the transformation of biointensive garden harvests, and has published two recipe books. Since 2018, she has specialized in nutritional education linked to organic food production, promoting healthy diets as a key component of agroecology and the biointensive method.

* FINCA ECOLÓGICA VERDE ESMERALDA COSTA RICA

FINCA ECOLÓGICA VERDE ESMERALDA

Costa Rica

Since 2016, we have developed gardens and facilitated spaces to experiment and learn about sustainable organic agriculture GROW BIOINTENSIVE®. We also promote visual eco-art and create awareness regarding responsible and healthy consumption by innovating teaching and learning techniques in the design of complete and self-sustainable diets.

Contact information:

Ligia Susana Espinoza Benavides

GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Certified Advanced Level Teacher

Director-Administrador at Finca Ecológica Verde Esmeralda

Copalchí, Province of Cartago, Costa Rica

ligiasusanae@gmail.com

 fb.me/fincaecologicaverdeesmeralda,

www.biointensivocentroamerica.com

in progress

* FRANCK TONDEUR NICARAGUA

Franck Tondeur

Contact: fytondeur@gmail.com

Location: Condega, Nicaragua

Facebook Page: Agroecological Learning Center for Biointensive Crops

Advanced-level certification since 2023 in the GROW BIOINTENSIVELY method by Ecology Action, United States

Graduate in tropical and subtropical agriculture, with 39 years of experience in the field of organic agricultural production. He has developed numerous participatory agroecology implementation processes with field technicians and smallholder farmers.

Owner of the Agroecological Learning Center for Biointensive Crops in Condega.

He has owned a 24-bed biointensive garden since 2015.

Huerto Urbano Nuevo Sol (HUNS)

León, Guanajuato, Mexico

Huerto Urbano Nuevo Sol (HUNS) is an urban agroecological initiative and living space located in León, Guanajuato, dedicated to reconnecting city life with Mother Earth. Its mission is to build a Green Community and Garden Network that cultivates a Future of Hope, based on Sustainable Organic Agriculture on a Human Scale (CULTIVE BIOINTENSIVELY®).

By empowering individuals, regenerating soil, and growing healthy, abundant food, HUNS promotes food security and takes an active stance against climate change.

Key Areas of Work

• Dissemination of the Biointensive Method:
  Annual training of approximately 240 individuals and the establishment of 48 biointensive mini-gardens in rural communities each year.
• Beekeeping and Hive Products:
  Through the Nativa Beekeeping initiative, HUNS produces and sells honey and other hive-derived products.
• Vermicomposting and Soil Regeneration:
  Through the Verde Otra Vez project, HUNS promotes the production and commercialization of vermicompost as a tool for regenerating urban and rural soils.
• Sustainable Urban Living:
  HUNS is a “Living Home”—a model of sustainable urban life that evolves by learning and sharing with its surrounding community. It demonstrates that living in harmony with nature in an urban context is not only possible, but necessary.

Our Values

• Deep respect and connection with the environment
• Commitment to a sustainable lifestyle
• Practice of a health-promoting diet
• Community integration and solidarity
• Fair and inclusive economic practices
• Rational and responsible use of energy and technology

A culture of shared learning and openness

* JARDINES DE LA MISERICORDIA MÉXICO

Jardines de la Misericordia, A.C., located in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, strives to live the ideal of Laudato Si, caring together for our “Common Home.” Therefore, through agricultural workshops and our own way of life, we promote awareness of our personal impact on the environment, sovereignty in healthy eating, and awe of the Creator’s blessing in nature.

jardinsdelamisericordia@gmail.com

WhatsApp +52 664 368 6186

in progress

* LAS CAÑADAS MÉXICO

Las Cañadas – Cloud Forest

Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico

Las Cañadas is a regenerative agroecological project located in the cloud forest of Veracruz, where the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® method has been practiced since 1996. The method, learned directly from John Jeavons of Ecology Action, is now one of the foundational elements of their approach to sustainable food production.

Las Cañadas is a certified Biointensive training site, and over the years, its team has deepened their understanding of agricultural sustainability, especially in the areas of nutrient recycling and on-site biomass production for compost.

Philosophy and Methodology

• The Biointensive Method is a system of small-scale organic farming that relies on simple technologies and is easily adoptable by rural and peasant communities using local resources. It enables exceptionally high yields, often surpassing those of conventional agriculture.
• Permaculture serves as their overarching design framework for agricultural, social, technological, and architectural systems—acting as a comprehensive tool for sustainable human systems design.
• Agroecology is the scientific and practical foundation used to develop all food production systems at Las Cañadas. It functions as the “agricultural arm” of permaculture and includes the Biointensive Garden as one of its core systems.

Resources and Materials

Las Cañadas actively shares its knowledge with others through educational materials. You can download their Biointensive Method Principles Poster here:
📄 Download Poster – 2MB (Link placeholder—replace with actual URL)

Centro de Expansión Agroecológica “Los Maitenes”

Quihua Island, Calbuco Archipelago – Los Lagos, Chile

Los Maitenes is a community based, educational, and productive initiative located on Quihua Island, in the Calbuco archipelago of southern Chile. Founded by MTF Guido Andrés Soto (Chile) and MSc. Susana Hernández, an agricultural engineer from Querétaro, Mexico, both certified experts in the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method, the center promotes sustainable agroecological practices adapted to family farming and rural education contexts.

Mission and Purpose

The center’s core mission is to train, accompany, and inspire the transition of peasant and educational systems toward more sustainable and resilient forms of food production, grounded in the principles of agroecology and biointensive agriculture.

Approach and Philosophy

Los Maitenes embraces a holistic and integrated model that blends practical education with applied research. It serves as a dynamic learning space offering programs such as:

Educational Initiatives

• Mini-Farms of the Future
  Hands-on training in:
  • Organic agriculture
  • Garden design and water management
  • Agroforestry and soil biofertility
  • The 8 Principles of the Biointensive Method
  • Beekeeping, edible forests, seed saving, and plant propagation
• Punto Tierra
  A project that integrates:
  • Comprehensive health and healing gardens
  • Alternative therapies and spirituality in agroecology (temazcal, meditation, forest bathing, grounding)
  • Food health education: good eating, good living, and environmental awareness

Community Engagement

The center is deeply rooted in the Calbuco archipelago’s local community and works to strengthen food sovereignty and cultural identity. It has hosted certification programs in agroecological practices, including collaborations with INDAP (Instituto de Desarrollo Agropecuario) through the Training Program in Sustainable Agriculture for Family Farming, benefiting over 100 smallholder farmers and extension agents in the region.

Los Maitenes also convenes regional workshops and community gatherings, such as events with the Movimiento 100K (from La Cuenca del Lago Llanquihue), which promotes sustainable gastronomy and short, local value chains—linking chefs, producers, and citizens in building a resilient food system.

Contact and Social Media

📸 Instagram: @cea.losmaitenes
📘 Facebook: Centro de Expansión Agroecológica Los Maitenes

* MILPA DO SALNES ESPAÑA

O Torno, Galicia – Spain

Milpa do Salnés is a cooperative based in northwestern Spain (Galicia), working with the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® method since 2017. Located in an Atlantic oceanic climate, the initiative is led by:

• Guillermo Rodríguez Barreiro – Certified Intermediate-Level Biointensive Teacher and Soil Recommender (Grow Your Soil methodology)
• Ofelia Gaitán – Trained in the Biointensive Method

Our Work

At the O Torno Biointensive Garden, Milpa do Salnés cultivates over 400 square meters of double-dug soil, producing a large share of the cooperative’s food. Their diet design was developed during an internship with John Jeavons in 2021.

The project is actively involved in applied research on:

• Water use efficiency
• Soil fertility evolution
• Energy consumption
• Crop yields

O Torno is also a participant in the Global Network of Soil Monitoring Stations (STS), coordinated by John Beeby and Ecology Action.

Impact and Outreach

Thanks to their consistent research and educational efforts, Milpa do Salnés has:

• Delivered trainings, lectures, and conferences to over 1,500 people across Spain and Europe, engaging with a wide range of audiences
• Shared their research findings at scientific conferences and academic forums, contributing to the advancement and visibility of the Biointensive Method in Europe

Contact Information

📧 Emails:

• info@amilpadosalnes.com
• guillermo@amilpadosalnes.com

📞 Phones:

• Ofelia: +34 663 110 657
• Guillermo: +34 656 955 330

🌐 Website: www.amilpadosalnes.com

*MINGA VERDE PROJECT, ARGENTINA

   Maimará, Jujuy – Argentina

Minga Verde is a grassroots initiative with over 13 years of experience in the promotion, support, and management of agroecological projects. Its core mission is to share knowledge and inspire action for a society that celebrates and honors life through ecological balance, food sovereignty, and wellness.

Location and Background

The project is led by Marina Peters and Fabricio Manzoni, who live in the small Andean town of Maimará, in the province of Jujuy, northern Argentina. Situated at the foot of La Paleta del Pintor Hill, at 2,340 meters above sea level, their setting is a semi-desert climate with 200 mm of annual rainfall and distinct seasonal variations.

After completing Introductory Biointensive Training with Ecology Action and John Jeavons in 2020, Marina and Fabricio established a 110 m² family biointensive garden, which supplies part of their food and medicinal needs.

Activities and Areas of Work

• 🌱 Biointensive Gardening: Producing food and medicinal plants adapted to semi-arid mountain climates
• 🌿 Plant Medicine & Alchemy: Transforming surplus crops into plant-based extracts and remedies in a homemade lab
• 💧 Agroecology & Hydrological Design Consulting: Supporting other communities and families in implementing regenerative practices
• 🏡 Rural Lodging: Hosting visitors and diversifying the family economy through ecotourism and experiential learning

Contact Information

📍 Address: Álvarez Prado 1468, corner of Cornelio Zelaya, Maimará, Jujuy, Argentina – CP 4622
📞 Marina Peters: +54 9 11 3034 1946
📞 Fabricio Manzoni: +54 9 388 329 6886
📧 Email: mingaverdepermacultura@gmail.com

* ORGANIC AGRICULTURE GROUP OF LA CIENEGA, MÉXICO

Municipio de El Limón, Jalisco – México
Primer municipio agroecológico de México

The Organic Agriculture Group of La Ciénega, located in the municipality of El Limón, Jalisco, is a collective of farmers committed to organic and pesticide-free agriculture. The group promotes agroecological food production at the family, educational, small-scale, and communal levels, and has been instrumental in achieving a historic milestone: the official declaration of El Limón as the first agroecological municipality in Mexico—a landmark that now shapes local public policy.

Main Activities and Impact

• 🌱 Promotion and practice of organic agriculture
• 🤝 Support for agroecological transitions across family gardens, schools, and communal projects
• 🧪 Pesticide-free food production, improving public and environmental health
• 🧑‍🌾 Organization of 15 workshops on the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method in the Autlán–El Grullo–El Limón region, an area historically dependent on intensive agrochemical use in sugarcane and vegetable farming

Their work has guided numerous farmers in transitioning to small-scale organic production, improving both soil health and the well-being of their families and children.

Contact Information

👤 Rodolfo González Figueroa
📱 +52 1 332 159 3146
📧 rodorganicoo@gmail.com

* O. X. T. SEMILLAS Y TIERRA EN MOVIMIENTO MÉXICO

Ecatepec de Morelos (State of Mexico) & Northeastern Sierra of Puebla – Mexico

1. Semillas y Tierra en Movimiento is a grassroots initiative focused on promoting the creation of physical and human spaces to experiment with sustainable technologies and new agricultural and livestock models for family food production and sovereignty.

The project works in rural and peri-urban communities across the State of Mexico and Puebla, fostering the use of biointensive gardening as a key strategy for local and family-level food autonomy.

Mission and Strategic Focus

• 🏡 Promote the design and implementation of biointensive home gardens to strengthen food sovereignty
• 🤝 Build strategic alliances with civil society organizations for the development of comprehensive backyard systems
• 🌿 Facilitate agroecological transitions through participatory training and demonstration spaces

Key Partnership: Mazahua Center (CM)

One of the collective’s most impactful collaborations has been with the Mazahua Center, supporting:

• The design and monitoring of its biointensive backyard garden
• Vegetable production planning and seedling production strategy
• Training workshops focused on food sovereignty, water, and sanitation
• Operational planning and budgeting for the annual cycle
• Development of production records and systematization tools
• Monitoring and evaluation of the center’s programs

📈 In 2024, under this strategic guidance, the Mazahua Center harvested 4,738 kilograms of vegetables—a tangible result of the program’s success.

Key Contact

Favio Leonardo Vázquez B.
📌 National Coordinator of the Community Development Program at UKA
🎯 Consultant to the T. Semillas y Tierra en Movimiento collective

* POR ESO PERÚ

That is why we are considered one of our most successful and prolific associates. Based in Calca, in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Peru, we have carried  out remarkable work in high Andean communities, bringing the Biointensive Gardening Method to numerous villages and significantly improving the health of children in the region.

We have also made valuable contributions to ECOPOL–El Mezquite, including support for the printing of the 9th Spanish edition of John Jeavons’ book How to Grow More Vegetables, as well as the acquisition of tools and potentiometers—resources that have strengthened our collective capacity for education and outreach.

* RANCHO EL ROBLE MÉXICO

Huatusco, Veracruz – Mexico

Rancho El Roble is a family-run agroecological project located at 1,300 meters above sea level in the montane cloud forest of the central mountains of Veracruz, with an average annual rainfall of 1,800 mm. For more than 20 years, the family has practiced Biointensive Agriculture and produced open-pollinated seeds, fostering a life of simplicity, self-sufficiency, and sustainability.

Our Practices and Landscape

• 🌿 Land: 1 hectare, with 1,200 m² of cultivable area and the rest planted with timber and native cloud forest species
• 🪴 Biointensive Garden: 40 raised beds dedicated to food and seed production
• 💧 Rainwater harvesting for irrigation and household use
• 🔋 Use of eco-technologies:
  • Wood-saving stove and oven
  • Solar panels
  • Solar dehydrator
  • Dry toilets
• 🐐 Integrated livestock (chickens, pigs, goats) provide food and manure for compost and fruit trees
• 🐝 Five species of native stingless bees (meliponas) contribute honey, pollen, and propolis, used in the preparation of natural medicines

Semillas Vivas – Our Seed Project

Under the name Semillas Vivas, the family manages a diverse collection of native and regionally adapted seeds, selected and harvested by hand. Seeds are stored in a dedicated seed house for long-term conservation.

Workshops and Community Learning

We offer guided tours of Rancho El Roble and share our experience through on-site and off-site workshops on:

• 🌱 Production and conservation of open-pollinated seeds
• 🥬 Vegetable cultivation using the GROW BIOINTENSIVE® Method
• 🐖 Pig farming using the composting pigsty technique
• 🧴 Production of value-added products: sausages, ointments, preserves, natural medicines, and melipona bee products

Contact Us

📧 Email: semillaskarla@gmail.com
📱 Request our catalog via WhatsApp: +52 33 36 67 38 12

in progress