Green Technology and Training for Farmers, Mexico

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.

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.