GlobalGiving.org: Green Technology and Training for Farmers, Mexico

Running the Demonstration Centers

Deborah Goldberg — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:51:18 GMT

EduPaz’s education program in agroecology relies on community involvement, and key staff to train and run demonstration centers in Tziscao, Mexico. They currently have one technician, Isidro, who lives in the center, and is responsible for all the agroecology projects there. Due to the overwhelming request for training at the center, EduPaz needs to hire another technician to help Isidro by being a community ambassador and helping communities continue with their chosen projects after they’ve been developed in training workshops and community meetings. This is how the project becomes truly sustainable- once the community have the training and resources they need, then they can go on train others!

EduPaz’s work is effective in creating local economies based on agroecological practices like generating organic fertilizers and using them grow produce and to revive the land. Instead of relying on harmful and expensive chemical fertilizers, community members have low-cost and environmentally-friendly ways to grow food. EduPaz's work with self-help groups, providing micro-loans to start small businesses, and training them to run those businesses. And through your donations you are helping make an impact!

Investing in Rural Communities and their Local Solutions

Gillian Wilson — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:35:48 GMT

EduPaz has enjoyed great success with its Agroecology Program, which has helped boost food production and generate income for indigenous Mayan communities in rural Chiapas. EduPaz is now moving forward with its holistic approach to continue to build and strengthen local economies through their unique Economic Solidarity Program.

They are taking momentous steps to further ensure growth and success of each program by focusing their efforts on the following:

Strengthening the organizing skills and training for community leaders
Promoting agroecology with microcredit groups, taking advantage of the sustainable agriculture demonstration plots so community members can then go on to replicating practices and knowledge in their communities, reaching many more people.
Highlighting focus on groups of women and youth and integrating them more in the processes
Motivating and building awareness in the community with various popular education tools such as film, murals, dialogues with other leaders, teachers, local authorities and religious leaders

It is through generous contributions that organizations such as EduPaz can continue to invest in rural communities and their local solutions to sustainable development. Donate today and you will enhance and accelerate EduPaz's success of creating sustainable futures for Mayan communities!

Wholistic Programming and Bringing Back Indigenous Practices

Gillian Wilson — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 22:20:25 GMT

Thank you for your generous donations to this project. EduPaz works with indigenous farmers in Chiapas to increase the use and knowledge of green agro-technologies. This means introducing new methods, such as vermi-compost, but also bringing back some of the indigenous knowledge that has waned in the face of government subsidies for industrial methods. Part of EduPaz’s programmatic structure, and one reason it is such an effect program, is it’s wholistic approach to education and development. It’s group processes requires that community economies through microcredits include agroecological practices, skill-building and learning, organizing and participation, gender equity and process of inclusion of all community members. Now that’s what we call sustainable!

Empowerment Means Farmers Take Ownership of Project Development

Gillian Wilson — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:10:06 GMT

Your generosity has funded the building of three sustainable agricultural demonstration plots. These areas are maintained and organized by community group members, who decide what to grow and which practices are appropriate for their land. The plots are also used to educate groups. For example:

Demonstrations are held for producing organic fertilizers, growing vegetables, worm composting, the cultivation of oyster mushrooms, how to utilize water filters and improved wood-saving stoves.

In Buenavista Pachán, the group watched a movie about pesticides and their harm on community health – it was followed up with a discussion that motivated a group of tomato farmers to practice organic tomato farming in one of their own greenhouses.

Increasing the knowledge of traditional and sustainable methods of agricultural production supports marginalized communities and strengthens the local economy.

Thank you for donating to this project, helping EduPaz continue to educate and empower rural farmers.

Promoting Agroecology Methods

Gillian Wilson — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:39:12 GMT

Starting October 12, GlobalGiving will be matching donations for this project! Donate and maximize your impact!

With your donations, EduPaz has helped train farmers and their families on agroecology techniques. A few of these recent accomplishments include:

After learning about the health hazards caused by insecticides, tomato growers in the community of Buena Vista Pachán formed a group to plan and build an organic greenhouse.

Community microcredit groups have increased member participation, with a higher rate of loan repayment.

Members have created community orchards and vegetables gardens where they can learn about and put in practice sustainable farming methods.

By donating this project you are ensuring more families can benefit from this program. Thank you for your support.

Promoting Agroecology Methods

Gillian Wilson — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:07:15 GMT

With your support, a new, experienced staff member is overseeing the agroecology program as it continues to thrive with its purchase of pigs, chickens, and fruit trees. Other EduPaz programs continue to grow as well:

• The Tziscao Center provides medical services, nutrition workshops, daycare services and psychological support to those in need.

• Community microcredit groups are gaining popularity, and participants are taking a more serious approach to their savings.

• There are gender awareness workshops in the works. EduPaz is assessing what local women would like to focus on, and how they would like to participate.

Future plans for EduPaz include forming additional microcredit groups, conducting more eco-technology workshops, and training 10 young community members to become agroecology promoters.

By donating to EduPaz you are ensuring more families can benefit from this program.

Thank you for your support.

The Eco-Demonstration Site

Gillian Wilson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:18:22 GMT

On Tuesday, March 16, all donations up to $1,000 per donor, per project will be matched. Donate on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, and maximize your gift. The latest update from EduPaz reports the eco-demonstration site has been successful in installing several key features, including many varieties of fruit trees and a fully functional biodigestor that is successfully converting pig manure into enough energy to run the site. The “train-the-trainers” program – which trains community members on sustainable agriculture and ecological protection –has been going well, too. From the latest report: • A two-day workshop was conducted on installing wood-saving stoves and biodigestors (using the one on site). • EduPaz organized a one-week workshop in green technologies at the center, where they also offered scholarships to several community farmers in the area. • EduPaz provided 7 livestock-rearing training workshops covering topics such as: how to manage to small scale chicken-raising project for family consumption and for the local market; how to build chicken coops; how to feed and care for the chickens; identifying the different types of avian disease and planning a vaccine schedule for disease prevention. Similar technical assistance was provided for families growing pigs and sheep. • Regular follow-up visits were conducted to check in whether the participants adopted what they learned and to provide ongoing support.

Developing Agro-ecology

Gillian Wilson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:08:37 GMT

IDEX Program Officer, Katherine Zavala visited EduPaz in August 2009 to see what they have been able to achieve so far.

With your support, EduPaz is in the process of constructing their Agroecology Training Site. They have already have started growing organic vegetables – including squash, radishes, peanuts, chayote, chipilin (herbs for broths) and green tomatoes.

“While I was there,” says Katherine Zavala, “I was able to see where they’re planning to build a chicken coup, and a space for farm animals including rabbits and sheep, as well as fruit trees (avocado, lemon, apple, pear and banana plants) AND a greenhouse to grow tomatoes. It was quite impressive, and this is only the beginning.

They've already built a space for a biodigestor. The biodigestor will use pig manure to create natural gas to produce energy for the center. The goal is to encourage people to use this kind of technology in their own homes.

I also visited 2 community groups in Tziscao including an organic coffee cooperative. Both have received microcredit loans from EduPaz. They shared how helpful it was to access microcredit through EduPaz and how much better it was than going through a bank which requires a lot of complicated paperwork and restrictive lending terms. Plus the banks only loan large sums of money, which is not necessary for these groups’ projects.

All in all, it was incredibly rewarding to learn more about EduPaz's work and meet some of the people that are benefiting from their programs and working so hard to continue that they are successful.”