Tikkun EcoCenter – San Miguel’s Permaculture Project
News Category: News and Community News
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By: Kim Malcolm
Originally published in the UUSMA NewsletterOne of San Miguel’s most innovative environmental projects is just past the mushroom farm near the village of San Jose de Gracia, on the road to Rodriguez. Tikkun EcoCenter is a bit off the beaten path, but you know you’ve come to the right place when you’re welcomed to an oasis of green by a bunch of brown and black hens...Tikkun EcoCenter is a model of Permaculture, a philosophy of farming and land use that emphasizes harmony with the natural environment. Here, that means green building, organic gardens, rainwater collection, seed saving, and a lot more...Victoria Collier and Ben Ptashnik established the center 12 years ago to create what they call a ‘food forest’. They have so far built solar-powered adobe structures from local materials, installed beehives and a wind generator, engineered a series of ponds to collect rainwater and farm tilapia, and planted a fruit tree orchard. Their 2 acres of community farm is all drip irrigated, plowed by a couple of sturdy horses, and the free-range chickens — more than 100 of them — manage the grasshopper population (Victoria’s growing flock follow her everywhere, earning her the honorary title, Mother of Chickens). On the farm’s periphery, Victoria and Ben have transformed a tired, dry landscape with native cactus, trees, and shrubs...Ben – previously a state senator in Vermont and advocate for organic farming — emphasizes that Permaculture is not just food production, but a more comprehensive way of thinking about how we live. He explains the bigger goal of the center is “preparing for the implosion from climate change, and that means working with the local communities here.”; In addition to employing a number of local residents, Ben and Victoria collaborate with their neighbors on projects to harvest rainwater and develop small community gardens. These efforts provide an opening to share ideas and generational knowledge about land stewardship and healthy foods...Victoria and Ben are also planning to conduct workshops in 2022 on subjects like organic gardening, seed saving, and bee keeping. Victoria and Ben don’t stop with farm management and education projects. When the pandemic hit last year, many of their neighbors lost their jobs...For almost two years, the center has been providing organic farm produce to more than 50 local families, amounting to over 50,000 meals. Victoria explains “We’re a food bank now. We don’t sell food. People shouldn’t have to be hungry because they don’t have money.”..The Tikkun EcoCenter is as much an expression of Ben and Victoria’s world view as their day jobs – leading a large US organization that advocates for election security. https://www.electiondefense.org/...Victoria says their work on election security complements their work at the center: “If you don’t have democracy, you are going to get corruption and policies that put corporate profits ahead of a sustainable environment.”..Their dream? At this point, they’re ready to be a part of an environmental movement in San Miguel, and to turn the center into a demonstration project to inspire others. As Victoria explains, “Yes, we want to fight the bad system but, even more, we want to create a good system.”..If you want to learn more about the important work of the Tikkun EcoCenter or volunteer, check out their website or pay them a visit. https://www.tikkunsanmiguel.mx/..They could also use support for their work with local communities. Donations are tax deductible in the US. https://www.tikkunsanmiguel.mx/donate -
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