Community Mobilization
Examples of our Work with Agricultural Communities Lacking Strong Organization
Cabrican, Huitan and San Martin Sacatepequez
These three municipalities are each one of the 24 that make up the department of Quetzaltenango. The region is most commonly known as La Tierra Fria, “The Highlands.” The majority of inhabitants are decedents from the indigenous Mam culture. Years of poverty, repression and institutional neglect have created a population largely reliant on subsistence agriculture focused on corn and bean production. Most farmers practice chemically intensive agriculture, using fertilizers with heavy metals and toxic pesticides. This continual application of chemicals kills life in the soil, making it more vulnerable to drought and erosion. Recent inconsistencies in weather patterns and farmers’ reliance on rain-fed agriculture have caused shortages of food and have forced many to leave their homes in search of work in urban areas. Despite the abundance of factors that negatively affect La Tierra Fria, the people remain resilient, proud, and ready to make change happen.
A long time resident of Cabrican voiced her view to leaders participating in the Copenhagen Summit of Global Climate Change:
“Our community would greatly appreciate leaders of developed countries helping us to confront climate change by sending help to enable us to continue with our small projects to improve agricultural productivity and conserve our forests and water.”Graciela Cabrera is not merely calling for action, she is making it known that climate change is directly impacting La Tierra Fria. She is revealing that the people are willing to work hard to improve their crops, and that they need help.
~Graciela Cabrera de Lopez
What we’re doing in these communities
Promotores from these communities are interested to learn practices that will increase productivity, reduce erosion, and combat malnutrition. To this end, Semilla Nueva is collaborating with promotores to implement sustainable practices that have been proven to increase the land’s productivity, health and resilience. This year, we have seven volunteers from four institutions: University of Kansas School of Medicine, Whitman College, Yale University, and University of Puget Sound.
Together, we will work with promotores to implement investigations and pilot programs in the following practices:
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Living Barriers and Contour Ditches Living barriers are rows of fast growing, deep rooted plants that catch and hold soil so it is not washed away by rains. Contour ditches are hand-dug furrows that follow the curvature of a hillside. Read More... |
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Worm composting Worm composting presents an effective way of transforming a community’s organic waste into rich fertilizer. Read More... |
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Nutritious Gardens Gardens help farmers produce nutritious food and diversify their income. In many rural communities, a reliance on a diet of corn and beans causes children to be malnourished. Read More... |
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School Projects Semilla Nueva will work with promotores and teachers to give school children a hands-on opportunity to learn about sustainable agriculture. Read More... |
