Sustainable Living, Practical Learning

Permaculture efforts in Guatemala evolve around supporting Maya attempt to regain food security, and in saving their cultural heritage through seed saving, and traditional agricultural practices.  The Maya have suffered years of genocide and abuse by the ruling class and as a result they have experienced fragmentation of their traditional lands and culture. Much of the permaculture teaching is to help the people remember their traditional ways.

Several projects are worth noting in Guatemala, those in San Lucas Toliman by Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute (IMAP) and Rony (Renaldo) Lec and Rebecca Cutter; and in Rabinal by Sarah Montgomery. 

Educational opportunities in Guatemala evolve around rainwater harvesting, natural building, watershed work, soil conservation, food forestry and biodiversity preservation. Both IMAP and Rabinal projects offer workshops and education.

The project in I’jatz on the outskirts of San Lucas Toliman is, perhaps, the best recorded permaculture demonstration site.  Roni Lec had taken a mosquito infested bog that received the street runoff from the city above and turned it into an incredible productive ecosystem, a food forest that utilized the water, soil, and organic material.  It was a perfect example of permaculture approach of turning a problem into a solution.

The project in Rabinal focuses on nutrition and seed saving, to protect local biodiversity, food security and traditional agriculture. Most of the work is geared towards women. Beginning in 2007, there are plans for offering Permaculture Design Courses in Rabinal. Contact to find out more.