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 Our planet is changing – rapidly. But through our actions, we can take steps to reduce our environmental footprint, help farmers save their local ecosystems, and advocate for agriculture and trade policies that actually benefit small-scale farmers instead of large corporations. We believe the positive impact of these actions would indeed represent a powerful change.
Our new campaign, “Small Farmers. Big Change: Creating a Green and More Just Food System,” represents a path to restoring justice to the food system and health to the planet. Here are a couple ways Equal Exchange is working with small farmers to green the planet.
Organic farming
Equal Exchange partners with small-scale farmer co-operatives that work to protect the environment through sustainable and organic agriculture. Our earth-friendly approach to farming has many benefits over conventional practices – benefits such as reduced soil erosion, greater soil fertility and a safer working environment for farmers. Over 90% of Equal Exchange coffees (by volume) are certified organic.
Because Equal Exchange is committed to building long-term relationships with our farmer partners, the co-ops can rely on the extra Fair Trade income and are able to invest in initiatives to further protect the environment: terracing, composting, water conservation, and crop diversification. They're also able to invest in health programs, social services and educational programs – creating healthier communities and a healthier planet.
Small Farmer Funds
Nicaragua
Another way Equal Exchange is greening the planet is in collaboration with our faith partners through Small Farmer Funds. In 2007, a Small Farmer Fund supported by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) was granted for a reforestation project by a Nicaraguan coffee partner co-op, Tierra Nueva.
Equal Exchange Interfaith staff members visited Tierra Nueva in January 2008 with representatives of PC (U.S.A.) to see the progress being made so far. To date, members of Tierra Nueva have planted 100,000 coffee trees, established nurseries to grow seedlings, planted 5,000 citrus trees, and constructed 16 fuel-efficient stoves that are currently in use. “When we started as a co-operative, we had the intention of creating a system of production that complemented nature,” said project manager Ariel Escobar, during a visit to Equal Exchange in 2006. “Over the past decade, we have promoted the protection of the environment. The producers in this co-operative have understood the importance of assisting nature and planting additional trees on each farm.”
And the difference is visible. “Look how green it is here. Wherever you look and see green, lush farms - those belong to members of the co-operative,” said Maria Theresa Mendoza Martinez, who lives in Filas Verde.
Colombia
Another project, through Lutheran World Relief (LWR), is part of a unique partnership between Equal Exchange and LWR whereby Equal Exchange makes a donation to LWR’s Small Farmer Fund for every pound of coffee, tea and cocoa purchased by Lutheran churches.
Our farmer partners at ASPROCAFE co-op are deeply committed to the environment and have dedicated the extra money they have received from Fair Trade coffee sales to create an Organic Coffee Project. In 2006, representatives of LWR visited ASPROCAFE. Impressed with the farmers’ high level of organization and commitment to the environment, LWR decided to provide $66,000 to support the Organic Coffee Project for two years.
The Organic Coffee Program aims to replace old coffee trees with newer, higher-yielding varieties, increase tree density, and encourage the planting of fruit trees. Technical assistance and trainings are provided to teach the farmers environmentally sustainable practices that protect their water sources and enrich the soils. Another component focuses on “food security:" women are taught organic gardening and how to make natural pesticides and organic fertilizers. A revolving loan fund enables the women to buy farm animals which are used to diversify their diets and their income sources, and the manure is used to make organic fertilizer.
By making sustainable farming a priority, Equal Exchange is able to provide the best tasting foods from small-scale farmers while also building a greener, healthier food system. Learn more about our green projects at www.smallfarmersbigchange.coop
If you’re interested in supporting our farmer partners in their efforts to green the planet, here are two immediate actions you can take:
Continue to purchase Equal Exchange coffee, tea, chocolate and snacks, and encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same. Starting on Earth Day (April 22, 2008) and going throughout 2008, Equal Exchange will donate 20 cents/package of all purchases of LOVE BUZZ into our Small Farmers. Green Planet fund. This money will go directly to our farmer partners in Mexico, Nicaragua, and Colombia to support their reforestation, organic conversion, and environmental protection efforts. Read about these projects at www.smallfarmersbigchange.coop.
Write a tax deductible check to Grassroots International and send it to:
Equal Exchange
50 United Drive
West Bridgewater, MA 02379
Write "Small Farmers Green Planet Fund" on the check.
Phyllis Robinson contributed to this article.
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