Guatemala
Agroforestry Advocate
Born in Brazil to a Brazilian father and a Guatemalan mother, Nictê Milhose’s family immigrated to Guatemala City when she was five. While her decision to pursue architecture in later years was not unusual, the way she chose to practice it certainly was. In a field where concrete and steel were the norm, Nictê chose to build with climate-resilient and cost-effective materials, such as bamboo. Many people questioned her choices, but Nictê, who held a deep reverence for nature, stayed true to what she believed in.
While working on a farm where she was contracted to build with bamboo, she met a farmer who shared her passion for sustainable living. They fell in love, got married, and a new path unfolded for Nictê.
Her husband founded a nonprofit organization to promote agroforestry (food forests), which would benefit farmers and the environment. The initiative involved planting rows of fruit trees between crops to provide shade and natural fertilizer.
They started modestly with one farmer and three assistants. Over time, these assistants became leaders who established their own sites and recruited their own assistants. This network grew to include over 400 communities in Guatemala, extending into Honduras and the United States.
Until COVID-19 hit, everything was progressing well in Antigua, a tourist town. The pandemic severely impacted the local economy. Farmers lost markets for their crops, and Nictê, for the first time, saw the hardships they faced: long travel times to markets due to poor roads, demanding labor in farming, and language barriers.
With such challenges, the threat of large monoculture companies buying up land and devastating the environment and local economies became very real. These farmers needed support beyond planting trees; their crops needed value addition. Nictê made it her mission to support them.
She began by experimenting with non-refrigerated, chemical-free food preservation methods. This quickly expanded into buying crops from the farmers, creating additional value for their products and finding markets for them. Supported by grants, Nictê trained other women from the community to help her ferment and preserve products. This project supported farmers by giving them new options to make money from their produce.
It was encouraging to see strong networks of families get involved in the initiative, with farmers filling their “Costales” (large bags) with their crops. Above all, the greatest success was the impact this initiative had on families’ lives. Nictê noticed that when women earned income, they consistently invested in their families’ well-being. This, in turn, improved the quality of life for entire communities.
Rooted in her belief in the importance of keeping land productive, doing it sustainably and supporting dignified livelihoods, Nictê Milhose’s commitment continues to create lasting change for people and the planet.
When local communities can’t make their land productive, they may sell it and migrate to urban areas in search of better lives. This can lead to the land being acquired by large monoculture companies that engage in extensive deforestation, which diminishes carbon sequestration, increases atmospheric CO2 levels, reduces rural community resilience, and leads to biodiversity loss.
To counter these issues, it’s crucial for local communities to keep their lands productive and beneficial. Adding value to farmers’ produce through preservation techniques is one way to keep land under local ownership, as it provides economic benefits to local farmers and promotes a more sustainable food system.
Consider these tips:
Personal
Producing food uses up a lot of resources like water, energy, and land. When we waste food, we’re also wasting all those resources. To cut down on waste, try preserving your food. You can do things like canning, freezing, drying, or fermenting. These methods help keep your food fresh for longer and make the most of your grocery shopping. You can store certain fruits and vegetables in a cool, dark, and humid environment. You can cook fruits to make jams, jellies, and preserves that you can enjoy throughout the year.
But it’s not just about how we handle food at home. Think about where your food comes from and who’s behind it. Supporting local farmers and choosing locally sourced produce over imported or ultra-processed items can make a big difference. Plus, buying from companies that prioritize ethics over profits is your way of saying no to practices that harm others. Remember, every dollar you spend is a powerful vote. Choose wisely to create the world you envision, one that is sustainable and equitable.
Community
Buying from farmers‘ markets is a great way to support local agriculture and cut down the carbon footprint of your food. Think about it—less distance traveled means fresher produce on your plate and fewer emissions in the air.
Moreover, you’ll find less packaging at farmers’ markets, which is also a win for our planet.
You could even start a community garden where everyone can grow fruits, veggies, and herbs. Not only will you get fresh produce, but it’ll also bring people together and promote sustainable living.
When it comes to reducing waste, why not team up with local food banks and shelters to donate any extra food from community events, restaurants, or businesses to help those in those in need?
And if you’re up for learning something new, explore YouTube videos or attend workshops on canning, fermenting, and other food preservation techniques. Sharing these skills with others in your community can help start a movement toward reducing waste and making the most of your food.
Share Your Ideas
Share your ideas:
How do you preserve your food? We would love to hear from you! Please send them to engage@daughtersforearth.org. You can support all Daughters by visiting our website and becoming part of the solution here.
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