Tacuba is located in a mountainous region of El Salvador that is especially unique because much of the farmland borders the El Imposible National Park. (map) Tacuba is also in a region that is part of the Meso-American Biological Corridor , a network of rainforests rich in diverse plant and animal life that stretches throughout Central and South America. Because of the rich diversity of trees in Tacuba, the landscape is perfect for producing coffee, which grows best in shaded areas.

There are currently three coffee cooperatives involved in the network in Tacuba: Las Colinas, a co-op where coffee is collectively grown and managed on land that is owned by all members; La Concordia, a co-op where coffee is collectively managed but each farmer also owns a residential plot to grow other crops for their family's consumption or sale at local markets; and El Sincuyo, a farmer's association where each grower independently manages their own coffee and other crops. more info

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION:
Through participatory research, farmers within this community are working with UCSC graduate: Dr. Ernesto Mendez to learn how to farm with more sustainable practices and also how to access alternative markets. In the past five years Mendez has been working with these communities on researching how they can protect tree biodiversity through sustainable farming practices. He has also been evaluating with these farmers how they can use other sustainable farming techniques to improve their livelihoods.

V. Ernesto Méndez with Don Féderico and Don Pedro, members of El Sincuyo Cooperative

Although each co-op operates separately, they act as an excellent educational network model for other communities. At regional seminars farmers and researchers from the three co-ops have shared their experience and knowledge on a variety of issues such as soil sampling and analysis, organic composting, and strategies on how to access alternative markets. The seminars allow farmers to connect with other farmers and teach each other about what they have learned through their participatory research and experience with sustainable farming.

Because of the positive results that have been achieved from the participatory research process that has been conducted between farmers and researchers in Tacuba, ASINDEC , a local Non Government Organization, was created by Mendez and other researchers to further promote interdisciplinary research approaches as a tool to improve social and ecological conditions in rural El Salvador.

NETWORK:
Ernesto Mendez has teamed-up with Nicaragua researcher Chris Bacon to share the information and techniques that they have used to conduct research in their communities. Ernesto Mendez visited Nicaragua to teach the farmers and researchers about techniques that can be used to sample tree biodiversity. Chris Bacon has also visited El Salvador to teach farmers how to better access alternative markets.

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Make the difference!

CAN field internships are rich learning experiences that allow students to make a difference as they learn. Academic credit is arranged through the field study / internship office at your university, in correspondence with field internship directors and the CAN internship coordinator. Qualified non-students may also serve as interns in CAN communities.

The cost for all field internships covers orientation, food, housing, structured learning opportunities and project support. Costs for airfare and academic credit at your institution are not included in the prices listed.

UCSC Ph.D. and founder of ASINDEC, Ernesto Mendez works with farmer cooperatives in Tacuba, researching and developing sustainable farming practices, biological conservation and livelihood enhancement.

Interns live in the ASINDEC residence and work with Ernesto and / or develop their own projects. This program is open to independently motivated interns with high proficiency in written and spoken Spanish. Previous experience abroad is preferred.

Cost of the Internship

• $1,310.00 for 10 weeks
• $1,572.00 for 12 weeks

For More Information on the Tacuba Internship contact

Troy Henri, CAN Intern Coordinator: troyhenri@yahoo.com

Ernesto Mendez, CAN Tacuba Researcher: vemendez@integra.com.sv

GLOBAL FARMERS' MARKET:
The three CAN-affiliated cooperatives in Tacuba are ready to sell their green beans to roasters in the U.S. All are growing organically and are in transition to certified organic.   For more information contact: Ernesto Mendez: vemendez@integra.com.sv

LA CONCORDIA

35 ha. of shade coffee, all of it Arabica, managed collectively; 22 members; elevations average 850 masl; very good soils; mostly under the 'Pacas' coffee variety, which is a a local adaptation of Bourbon varieties; Still have some Bourbon trees, though. Shade is high, with 48 species of trees, mostly native. First year transition to organic. They are joining APECAFE this year- the organization that certifies for FLO in El Salvador.

Available coffee: about 400 sacks of 100 lbs. or 40,000 lbs. of green beans, processed by Las Colinas. Would be exported through APECAFE.

They do not have a processing plant, so they have always sold to intermediaries, and have never had direct contact with roasters or buyers from the U.S.

LAS COLINAS

195 ha. of shade coffee, all of it Arabica; 99 members; elevations average 1,000 masl; very good soils; mostly under the Bourbon variety, but also some Pacas. Shade is high, with 69 species of trees, mostly native. Second year transition to organic. Is registered in FLO, and sells 2 containers to Equal Exchange. Has processing plant.

Available coffee: about 375 sacks of 100 lbs. or 37,500 lbs. of green beans (1 container), processed by Las Colinas. Would be exported through APECAFE.

EL SINCUYO

33 independent shade coffee small farms (averaging 0.7 ha.), all of it Arabica; 33 members; elevations average 850 masl; very good soils; mostly under the Bourbon variety. Shade is high, with 93 species of trees, mostly native. First year transition to organic. They are joining APECAFE this year- the organization that certifies for FLO in El Salvador.

Available coffee: about 100 sacks of 100 lbs. or 10,000 llbs. of green beans, processed by Las Colinas. Would be exported through APECAFE.

For information on how to receive green coffee beans from Tacuba, please e-mail CAN@planet-save.net .

MORE INFORMATION

• UCSC Review Winter 2003
• Farmer's Exchange in Spanish