Maya Mountain Research Farm

Working in communities in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, we envision an evolving economy built on agroforestry.

The MMRF is home to over 500 species of native plants and animals. Its agro-ecological approach is designed to contribute culturally appropriate high-value products to the local economy while maintaining the traditional indigenous lifestyles of the region. In doing this, it also replicates natural ecosystem processes including carbon sequestration, soil and water retention, and the creation of wildlife habitat.

One of the key elements of this system is the farm’s agroforestry practice. 25 acres of the site are turned over to a verdant forest of fruit, leguminous, medicinal and timber trees, which nurture herbaceous perennials and marketable crops such as coffee and cacao in their shade. The plants are chosen for the many different kinds of yields they produce, some of which leave the system to become food or saleable goods, while others remain within the cycle of the forest to enhance productivity through continual nutrient provision. The forest produces a high proportion of the food needed to feed both the people and the animals living on the farm.

The farm’s buildings are designed to be resilient to local conditions, including hurricanes, with minimal disruptive impact on the surrounding ecosystem. All power comes from renewable energy, mostly solar. Water is pumped from a spring using photovoltaic panels, and the farm community has helped to install similar pumps in a number of nearby villages to help reduce their dependence on the grid.

The MMRF has been a locus of many kinds of educational efforts. It plays host to interns, students, study groups and volunteer workers, creating a vibrant learning community with a continual turnover of participants and knowledge. It also works with local NGOs and international education institutions to host and contribute to a number of courses, including renewable energy training and an annual Permaculture Design course.