Learning from Maya Forest Gardeners

Of the 8 million Maya living in the greater Yucutan Peninsula area today, less than 5% practice traditional forest gardening.  Encroaching industrial farming and other complex societal factors continue to decrease the number of farmers who still use traditional Maya land management methods. This combined with disinterested youth puts these traditions in great danger of vanishing.

Maya forest gardeners not only enhance the health of their surrounding natural environment, but also the health and quality of life in their communities. They increase local access to healthy, nutritious food options, building strong community food security and sovereignty. Support of these farmers is important not only to local community health and vibrancy, but also lends to building a stronger movement that recognizes the skill and value of traditional farming techniques, rather than marginalizing them as destructive primitive practices.

Exploring Solutions Past is documenting and supporting the forest garden milpa system so that its technical and philosophical details can complement future development worldwide, providing a sustainable alternative to resource-diminishing industrial farming.

This is a time-critical mission.

Losing this knowledge means losing a proven model of agricultural sustainability that could save the natural resources of Mesoamerican forests, provide essential foods to thousands, and important forest cover to conserve water. By learning how the Maya create and maintain their food forests, we can adapt their knowledge to other environments around the world and help create sustainable food systems that improve soil quality, conserve water, enhance biodiversity, and ensure food sovereignty.

Much research and education needs to be done to save these cultural resources from being lost to the entire world.

We need your help to ensure this knowledge is preserved and shared worldwide. Donate today and learn how you can get involved.