Harvest Tour in the Mayan Highlands  

From February 11th - February 18th, 2008, join Higher Grounds Trading on an adventure through the Mayan Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico where they will meet up with their many partners in the struggle for a just and dignified world. Participants will visit two organic and fair trade coffee co-ops working to create community sustainability and various autonomous projects that coffee dollars support at Higher Grounds.

Higher Grounds describes the trip in the following way:

"Participants will have the opportunity to experience the reality of the rich culture of Mayan people struggling for autonomy and self-sufficiency and learn about the current threats to the existence of their culture.

The delegation will meet with organic farmers, women's fair trade artisan cooperatives, Fair Trade coffee co-ops, traditional healers, biodiversity and economic rights activists, and autonomous indigenous communities and leaders.

In addition to learning about the farmers’ perspective of the powerful coffee industry, participants will find more in depth knowledge about fair trade and how to “plug in” when they return home.

Chiapas burst into the world’s headlines New Year’s Day 1994 - the day that NAFTA went into effect - when an uprising led by the Zapatista movement reminded the world that indigenous people are still struggling for their rights 500 years after the European conquest. Nestled in the mountains of Chiapas, San Cristobal de las Casas is the gateway to the Lacandon rainforests and forest-blanketed highlands. The city, full of colonial charm and vibrant indigenous culture, will serve as the base from which the delegation will visit a variety of non-governmental organizations, autonomous indigenous communities, and coffee co-ops."

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

Price: $700
- Includes double occupancy lodging, two meals a day, translations, guides, donations to each organization and community visited, and all in-country transportation.

Contact Higher Grounds or call Chris or Jody Treter at (231)922-9009 for more information