Harvest Tour :: Higher Grounds Coffee

Fair Trade and Indigenous Autonomy in the Mayan Highlands
February 11th – February 18th, 2008

Join Higher Grounds on an adventure through the Mayan Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico visiting two organic and fair trade coffee co-ops working to create community sustainability and various autonomous projects. Trip highlights:

Spend the day at a certified organic, Fair Trade Coffee Cooperative to learn about the positive impacts of Fair Trade

Visit local coffee growing communities to learn about indigenous culture and the use of organic agriculture as a means to self-sufficiency

Learn about the “Other Campaign” – A new political initiative by the EZLN to build a national plan of struggle

Examine the issue of land rights and see first hand the global threats to the Mayan communities very existence

Learn about innovative, sustainable water projects taking place to support communal access to fresh water

Meet with a successful women’s artisan cooperative in the highlands and learn about the production of fair trade artisan goods

Witness first-hand the effects the global economy has on indigenous peoples

If you can’t make the trip, at least consider supporting their work through the purchase of their GREAT coffee. A NewPages staple.