Institucional

Thus, born in the environmentalist movement, the initial objective of Projeto Vacaria was to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of ecological agriculture. After three years of research in an area of 70 ha, the technicians that were participating in the project started to seek a broader insertion of neighboring communities, aiming to disseminate the proposal to regional farmers. The partnerships established started to bear the first results, such as the Ecological Farmers Associations. These local organizations have some common features as: adoption of ecological agriculture, organization of small groups, small-scale processing, and the search for alternative channels to commercialize their products.

In 1991, Projeto Vacaria changes its name to Centro de Agricultura Ecologica Ipê - CAE-Ipê, distinguishing a new approach in their role. The new perspective is focused in enhancing the Ecological Farmers Associations; instead of just the application of ecological principles to handle different systems of cultivation.

In 1997, the perception to move beyond ecological production towards the design of sustainable agro-ecosystems, where social, political, and economic concerns must be taken into account, was incorporated. Based on this new vision, the organization adopted the new name: Centro Ecológico Ipê (Ipe Ecological Center).

In 1999, after eight years of work with farmers in the North Littoral of Rio Grande do Sul, Centro Ecológico opened an office in this region. At that time it also started to promote the organization of Ecological Products Consumers' Cooperatives, stimulating active participation of urban consumers. This new attempt was based on the premise that ethical consumption is an essential condition to enhance Ecological Agriculture and, to certain extent, a new model of development.

Along these years, developing several initiatives in Brazil and in others countries, Centro Ecologico consolidated its reputation as a major reference in Ecological Agriculture. The permanent exchange of experiences with other organizations and individuals is also an imperative that has been collaborating to enrich Centro Ecologico´s history.

To promote the practice of an ecological agriculture based upon the following objectives:

1. The preservation / reconstitution of the ecological basis to sustain the agro-ecosystems and their related natural ecosystems;

2. The social and economic viability of small-scale farm;

3. An equal, transparent and direct relationship between the different agents involved in food and fibre production, both producers and consumers;

4. The strengthening of rural and urban populations' autonomy and citizenship towards the construction of an ecological, popular and solidarity economy, and a social development model based on the valuation of labour and the respect of life in their multiple manifestations.

The positive results achieved by Centro Ecológico are based on the following principles:

1) An ecological vision of agriculture and its interface with natural ecosystems.

Agricultural production systems are interpreted and managed as complex multidimensional systems, in permanent transformation. Its restructuring involves different levels of intervention.

2) The interaction between popular and scientific knowledge in the process of building up the knowledge in the transition towards an ecological agriculture, setting up the basis for a new development model.

3) Economic and social feasibility of family farming. Smallholders are seen, individually and collectively, as protagonists on the construction of a new development model. It is established complementary attributions of roles and tasks among Centro Ecológico, Family Farmers Associations and other partners, in the process of building up and spreading technological alternatives and social organization.

4) The construction of new principles and practices for the integration between (i) producers and consumers; (ii) civil society, public agencies and the market; (iii) city and country.

Centro Ecológico Ipê is a local NGO that has been working since 1985 aiming at viability of sustainable agricultural systems, through the adoption of alternative technologies, oriented to environmental protection and social justice. Through visits, meetings, courses, field-days, training and, other participatory activities, Centro Ecológico advises smallholders' organizations in the fields of production, processing and commercialization of ecological products. Some dimensions of our work involves the rescue and recovery of agricultural biodiversity in local agroecosystems, incentives to promote farmer and consumer organizations, development of a solidarity commercialization network, and the design and implementation of public policies to increment sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.