Ecology Action

Since 1972, Ecology Action has been developing and practical testing GROW BIOINTENSIVE, a small-scale agricultural system based on traditional techniques that produce abundant and healthy food in small areas, using no fossil fuels and much fewer resources than conventional agriculture. Properly used, the system can restore and maintain soil fertili... ty while producing high yields. Through publications, workshops, internships and apprenticeships, Ecology Action has spread this method worldwide and has catalyzed Biointensive programs in Mexico, Kenya, Afghanistan, Argentina, Russia and Uzbekistan. In 1989 John Jeavons, Director of Ecology Action, and Juan Manuel Martinez, at the time Director of Food Programs for the Mexican Department of Social Security, met to strategize the most effective way of disseminating the Biointensive Method throughout Mexico and all of Latin America. In order to accomplish this mission, Juan Manuel Martinez established ECOPOL. Since its inception, ECOPOL has promoted the Biointensive Method among communities, producers, churches, agricultural schools, universities and NGO's in Latin America and the Caribbean, catalyzing an increasing network of organizations and individuals dedicated to promoting this vision of sustainable organic agriculture. In March 2006, ECOPOL and Ecology Action co-sponsored a Six-Day Biointensive Workshop in Costa Rica. One hundred and sixteen people from 18 Latin American countries attended. The enthusiasm for the Biointensive method generated by that Workshop has triggered increased demands for follow-up trainings in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Since the Costa Rica Workshop, Juan Manuel Martinez has traveled to over 15 countries to give follow-up workshops and make presentations. He also keeps reaching out to other organizations to introduce the Biointensive method and catalyze future contacts. As the world situation intensifies, we feel it essential to disseminate the Biointensive method as widely and as quickly as possible. ...Read More