By Diana Hoogesteger
In my previous article I wrote about the urgency of soil regeneration to recover the fertility of the land, retain water, sequester CO2 from the atmosphere, and produce healthy and abundant food. I spoke about the work done in the Sierra Gorda de Querétaro with regenerative livestock, and the results in both economic and environmental gain.
What are we doing in San Miguel de Allende?
Here there is also an agro-ecological ranch dedicated to soil regeneration. Many of you may know Rancho Vía Orgánica, located on the highway to Querétaro, deviation to Jalpa km 9, the Membrillo. But few know the history and everything that they cover as a Civil Association. Vía Orgánica is dedicated to much more than just producing healthy food.
It was founded in 2009 as a sister organization of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA), by Rosana Álvarez, a San Miguel native, Rose Welch, and Ronnie Cummins, founders of the OCA (organicconsumers.org). Their goal was to connect small farmers with consumers, and promote organic culture.
Since its inception, Vía Orgánica has been dedicated to education on food, health, and the environment through workshops, courses, talks, educational theater, and support for young students in internships and stays. During the first 10 years, the focus was the protection of food sovereignty, native seeds, biodiversity, food labeling, and stopping the entry of transgenic corn at a commercial level in Mexico. Now we continue to share the importance of producing our own toxic-free food, and—going beyond organic—adopting regenerative practices for the soil. At the Agroecological Ranch, there is a store and restaurant where you can find regional organic products and from our orchards. Via Orgánica also supports a variety of educational projects related to organic regenerative agriculture, the local economy, sustainability, and natural health.
Vía Orgánica is part of international networks such as Millions Against Monsanto, Organic Consumers International, and Regeneration International. It is also a member of a national coalition like the national campaign “Sin Maíz no hay País” (without corn, there is no country), The Parliamentary Front against Hunger, the Alianza por la Salud Alimentaria, and the Colectividad del Maíz. It is also transmitted via Radio Via Orgánica, which can be heard every Tuesday from 12:30 to 1pm on Radio San Miguel 103.3 FM.
As you can see, we have several fronts in which we participate as a Civil Association. We do that in production, education, tourism, and public policies that help to improve human health and the planet. The ranch began with the purpose of being a school and research center for organic agriculture, and it has become an educational and demonstrative center. We organize explanatory walks and bike tours. We have cabins for groups of up to 32 people with conference rooms. We have received more than 15,000 visitors including universities, schools, organizations, producers, and families. Every year we promote at least 30 workshops on environmental education and regenerative agriculture.
The ranch is also a research center. We continue to learn and improve methods to bring microorganisms into the soil. Various models have been established associating animals, trees, shrubs and grasslands—a temple of biodiversity and soil restoration. We reproduce native species in the nursery season. Work is done with mesquite in the use of the pod and training to make layers for reforestation. The orchards have become regenerative spaces for soil and biodiversity with trees, medicinal herbs, edible plants, and flowers for pollinators. Every year we promote at least 30 environmental education workshops to learn from the earth to cooking and herbal medicine for health. We have a farm with rabbits, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, and pigs because in every regenerative ranch animals are our best allies to fertilize the land and brighten the hearts of children.
We work to make the desert greener and make the best use of the water.
One of the most important projects in recent years is “Un Billón de Agaves,” through which we have planted 30,000 agaves in and around the ranch along with mesquite, making terraces on the slopes, stopping water runoff during rains. The agave plantation, in addition to serving to restore the soil, is a short and long-term plan to ensure fodder for the animals. With the method of fermentation of the maguey leaves and mesquite pods, a healthy and nutrient-rich food is produced that does not require irrigation.
Come and be inspired in an oasis of regeneration about so many things that could allow us to take care of ourselves, our children, and future generations. The time to change is now. Visit us at the ranch or on the website: www.viaorganica.org
