CEPC-Tolimán's story
The village of Quixaya (where CEPC Toliman operates) is an incredible story of transformation. In the 1980s, 63 Kaqchikel Mayan families living in the Quixaya community were able to legally take back their ancestral lands after generations of working for a plantation owner. The families joined together to start an ecological community initiative. Using traditional Mayan knowledge and agroecological practices, they transformed the industrial monoculture farm into a lush, biodiverse permaculture system. In 2018, community members established CEPC Tolimán (Centro Ecologico de Permacultura Comunitaria Toliman) to continue practicing ecological agriculture and working towards food sovereignty.
Their work focuses on: 1) Providing practical training and workshops that teach local Mayan families about ecological agriculture and nutritional foods; and 2) Managing community food systems which includes: ‘milpa’ native crop farms (Mesoamerican diversified system); community and family-intensive gardens; aquaculture systems (tilapia and vegetables); a food forest & agroforestry nursery; a community chicken coop; a demonstration kitchen & processing center.