He envisioned a space to restore traditional food systems as a path toward food independence and community resilience. 

Maya families establish an ecological community in Quixayá

The center—now known as CEPC Tolimán—is located at the foothills of the towering Tolimán volcano in the lush valley of Quixayá. Here, a group of Kaqchikel Maya families has established an ecological community of family-run projects on their ancestral lands. After the damaging impacts of centuries of colonial rule and, more recently, plantation agriculture, Quixayá is a deliberate effort by local people to restore the degraded land and create a new model for future generations. The theme of re-learning underscores their efforts, and reclaiming indigenous practices creates hope in the community. 

Community Permaculture Center strengthens ecological and ancestral practices

Within this community, Ramiro’s Community Educational Permaculture Center (CEPC) Tolimán provides training and workshops on ecological agriculture. They also host a variety of demonstration systems that showcase regenerative agriculture, including traditional Maya practices, aquaculture, agroforestry, composting, and more. Cultural tradition is at the heart of its mission, and the trainings are rooted in Maya ancestral knowledge. 

One strategy, known as Milpa, is an ancestral practice of symbiotic diverse planting. In contrast to the colonial methods reliant on intensive chemical and pesticide use, Milpa uses diversified agricultural plots that rely on nutrient sharing and mutual growth. “Three sisters”—maize, squash, and beans—are grown together, along with a diverse mix of other ancestral crops. Each sister plays her role: the corn provides structural support, squash acts as ground cover, and the beans pulse nitrogen into the soil. 

The community permaculture center also embraces the Maya calendar and cosmovision to guide agricultural productivity. The Maya calendar tracks the natural cycles of the earth and sky to guide planting and harvesting cycles. The alignment to this calendar allows farmers to develop a reciprocal and harmonious relationship with the land. Workshops and classes are taught in a blend of Spanish and the Kaqchikel-Maya language, further preserving and revitalizing the language and culture. 

The Re-Earth grant provides employment and electricity

Grant funding from the Re-Earth Initiative has allowed CEPC Tolimán to fund a full-time staff member and install an electricity system. The grant provided one year’s salary for a staff position given to a young indigenous man. Local employment is extremely valuable at a time when many young Guatemalan men migrate out of the country in search of employment. According to USAID, approximately 150,000 young Guatemalans enter the workforce each year, competing for only 35,000 formal jobs. The staff position provides an opportunity to stay within the community, strengthen the local economy, and build long-term environmental stewardship. Before this position, CEPC Tolimán relied entirely on volunteers.

The grant also provided funds to connect the center to electricity, which has allowed for the use of lighting, computers, electric kitchen appliances, and power tools. Mia explains that  “simple logistics, like having a PowerPoint screen or a speaker, makes them a lot more attractive to bring in outside participants.” Reaching participants outside the community opens up new funding streams and opportunities for expansion. 

She adds, “[This grant has] opened up a sense of possibility and growth”. The funds expand CEPC’s ability to dream bigger and imagine a scale beyond what currently exists. External support encourages local efforts to keep going, reinforcing their commitment to environmental preservation. 

“The projects implemented have had a remarkable impact—not only within the community itself, but also across the municipality,” says Ramiro. He estimates that the project has rehabilitated three agricultural areas, encompassing approximately 60,000 square meters. “53 local families have benefited, including those of 12 agricultural producers who receive ongoing technical support. The center has also welcomed groups from neighboring communities to participate in exchanges of experience.”

How to Support

Moving forward, Mia encourages anyone interested in this project to contribute directly via CIELO, a nonprofit organization she founded to fundraise for this cause. There’s also the option to purchase a Living Maya deck, a deck of cards inspired by the Maya calendar. You can also reach out to CIELO to volunteer your time and expertise—the team is currently looking for support with accounting, storytelling, marketing, and sales. 

Community permaculture connects people to their land and sustains a culture of traditions. CEPC Tolimán, in partnership with Re-Earth Initiative, is helping to revive traditions by recognizing the value of stewards of the earth.

About the Author

Eugenia Chow is an environmental educator passionate about the intersection between food systems, culture, and climate justice. Currently, she is a Princeton in Africa fellow leading the communications strategy at Mpala Research Centre, where she ensures that conservation science impacts the broader population. Driven by her desire to make environmental education accessible, she founded the platform Eugreenia and developed an honors seminar titled “Alternative Economic Visions: Global Models for Socio-Ecological Wellbeing” as a Morehead-Cain Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill. Born and raised in Hong Kong, she is excited to bring an international perspective to her writing at Re-Earth Initiative.