Michiza/ Yeni Navan 08/01/15

Once every two months, a representative from each community travels to Michiza’s office for their general assembly. Since these 42 different communities are located around the state of Oaxaca, which means up to 6 hours of transportation for some. There, they discuss important issues facing the organization, future projects or issues regarding the administration, like the monthly budget. They then pass to a vote and a decision is adopted if there is a majority.

During the assembly I attended, the first priority on the agenda was the development of a Women's Committee that would be responsible for interviewing women from each community to develop an appropriate project that would suit their needs. The project would be paid by the social fund and was developed to fulfill FLO standards. During the reunion, the decision was made that the committee members should be chosen before the end of January and a date for the first reunion was established.

Also, a proposal to construct a wet mill in 2008 was discussed. They would receive financial support from the government, paying 50% of the expenses.

During the meeting, a Family Farms Defenders group from United State arrived. Their  Annual meeting was held in Oaxaca as they wanted to build stronger ties with local farmers. The visitors presented themselves to the group and explained their situation in United State as small farmers, which is not as easy as one may think. Like the small producers in Mexico, they hare facing huge challenges.

Click  here to know more about this group located in Madison. 

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