The first half of 2024 has been a testament to the resilience and determination of Food 4 Farmers and our cooperative partners across Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Colombia. Despite significant challenges, including violence, kidnappings, and climate unpredictability, our initiatives have driven impactful change, strengthening food security, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and supporting local economies.
Mexico: Overcoming Adversity with Beekeepers in Chiapas
In Mexico, beekeepers from the CESMACH co-op faced severe challenges due to increased drug trafficking activities, leading to injuries and temporary kidnappings. Despite these hurdles, the community completed a successful honey harvest, collecting 13,911.5 kilos. Efforts to transition to organic beekeeping continued, with 13 producers now certified organic. Additionally, a significant marketing contract valued at approximately $25,495 USD was secured, helping to provide better economic stability for the beekeepers.
Guatemala: Strengthening Food Security with ACODIHUE and Maya Ixil
In the highlands of Guatemala, ACODIHUE advanced its beekeeping and food security efforts. With 146 beekeepers managing apiaries and 132 families growing food in their home gardens, the co-op focused on extensive technical support and capacity-building initiatives. Despite a heatwave affecting honey production, they recorded 512.62 quintals of honey. The cooperative also initiated a pilot project for vegetable seed production and distributed 840 bags of seeds, significantly enhancing the self-sufficiency of food security in their communities.
Mariela Esperanza Juarez Del Valle of the ACODIHUE co-op tends to her home garden.
Meanwhile, Maya Ixil continued to support families by helping farmers establish and manage home gardens alongside their coffee crops. The co-op also hired a new community promoter dedicated to helping farmers prepare meals for their families using their homegrown produce. Maya Ixil’s commitment to agroforestry remains steadfast, distributing 830 lemon trees and 915 mandarin trees to plant on coffee farms. These trees will help feed farming families and significantly improve biodiversity on their farms.
Berman Antonio of the SOPPEXCCA co-op with tree saplings from Arbor Day Foundation.
Nicaragua: Advancing Agroforestry and Market Gardens with SOPPEXCCA
In Nicaragua, the SOPPEXCCA cooperative has been largely focused on its family garden and women-run organic market program. Thirty-two women are currently growing food in their home gardens to feed their families, in addition to selling produce at the farmers market to earn critical extra income. Gross sales from January to June 2024 amounted to $5,111 USD, a significant figure considering many live under the global poverty line of $2.15 a day. The cooperative also received 8,231 trees from the Arbor Day Foundation, which were planted in their communities as part of agroforestry projects.
Colombia: Expanding Horizons with COMEPCAFE
Our partners at Colombia’s COMEPCAFE co-op made significant strides in expanding their food security program, adding 20 more families and holding three field days with 146 participants. The cooperative marketed and sold 7.5 tons of fresh food, generating over $3,000 USD for 300 families. Despite other security challenges from drug trafficking, training focused on infrastructure improvement and small food business management continued uninterrupted.
Selina Cometa of the COMEPCAFE co-op with tomatoes and beans from her home garden.
New Partnership: Manos Campesinas in Guatemala
We are excited to announce a new collaboration with Manos Campesinas, a coffee cooperative in Guatemala, thanks to a grant from Cooperative Coffees. This partnership aims to build a food security and sovereignty program for the communities they serve. Marcela traveled to meet with the co-op earlier in the year, and an initial diagnostic to assess our fit and the need for our support in their community is currently underway.
Bill Mares (left) with Willy Foote of Root Capital (right) and Marcela.
In Memory of Bill Mares: A Legacy of Impact
As we reflect on the progress of the past months, we must also pause to honor the memory of our dear friend, mentor, and contributor, Bill Mares, who passed away on July 29, 2024. Bill was one of the original Board Members of Food 4 Farmers and the inspiration behind our beekeeping programs. His passion and dedication helped shape our organization and touched the lives of hundreds of beekeepers in Latin America. Because of Bill, many families are now able to keep bees, improve their income, and enjoy the sweetness of honey. His impact extends beyond the borders of our projects, enriching our community in Vermont and leaving a legacy of resilience and hope. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Looking Forward
The first half of 2024 has showcased the resilience and dedication of our partner communities and the effectiveness of our strategically diverse programs. Despite significant challenges, we and our partners continue to support food-insecure farming communities through sustainable home food production, capacity building, and income diversification initiatives. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support from our donors and partners and look forward to building on these successes in the second half of the year. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of farming families across Latin America.
