The Oca Arc Reserve in Palenque, Chiapas
Mission: Establish organic agriculture, permaculture and alternative technologies to serve as a prototype for the state of Chiapas in the tropical south of Mexico.
Vision: A place where students and professionals join with local farmers to share in the continuing process of experimentation; teaching and learning about processes that harmonize with and respect our environment.
Goal: Combine the best of the Old and New to produce food, medicine and related products that are ecological and economical, supported by alternative technology. We always look for ways to live reciprocally with nature.
Transformation through Education: The Arca de Oca has been practicing organic, permaculture, natural medicine and alternative technology since 1980. We work with local schools, (kindergarten through university) to convey age-appropriate information on eco-systems, sustainability, natural health remedies, the dangers of toxic contamination and alternate solutions.
Why we do it: All the agro-chemicals that have been outlawed in the US since the 70’s and 80’s are sold on the open market in rural areas of Mexico. Peasant farmers hand-mix and spray DDT and other poisons using backpack sprayers without any protection or understanding of the dangers to themselves, their families and their environment. Teaching people who cannot read requires participation, observation and conversation. The use of agro-chemicals in the river-laced lowlands is causing massive degrees of toxicity in what was a pristine paradise only a few years ago. Cancer, birth defects and sterility are increasing exponentially.
