| General Statement of Purpose If you have had a quick look at our list of links to pages on our site below, you will probably already have a pretty good idea about our interests , activities and goals. As you peruse the pages individually, this will (we hope!) become even clearer. Nevertheless, let me try to sum up in a very concise way (not my nature!) what it is we are doing with these projects. We are in the process of converting a former cattle and sheep ranch into a Neem Tree (and other medicinal plants) plantation, working farm, and ranch by integrating at least 5 different use strategies all of which support each of the others, in a sustainable way, while doing little or no damage to the ecology of the ranch and better yet helping it to "heal" from earlier use. The word "sustainability" is bandied about often these days and almost anyone you ask probably has either not a clue what this means or they may be able to hold forth for hours on the topic but almost inevitably, from one person to another, an agreed upon or consensus definition will at best prove illusive and at worst impossible. We would recommend checking out Wikipedia´s offering, "Sustainable Agriculture" ,as a good place to start or work towards a consensus if more than one of you are involved or even simply for your own interest.... Our foundation activity is the planting goal of approximately 80,000 Neem and other tropical hardwood trees over the next two to five years. We will also raise animals and cash crops which, with the Neems, will make us economically self-sufficient and, in time, we believe, will generate considerable near term profit allowing us to invest in our local community while living within our means, healing the land, and hopefully creating a reproducible use model for others to learn from, use, and/or modify to their own purposes based upon the environment they find themselves adapting to. |
| ¡Bienvenidos a Yucatán, Mexico! www.PlanetaVerdeMarAzul.org www.Green Planet Blue Sea.com The Official Website for Maya Neem Farms A Model Neem Plantation, in Progress, for Profitable, Integrated, Sustainable, and Ecologically Balanced Rural Development, Renewable Land and Water Use, and Resource Conservation |
| Please click on any photo on our site to enlarge |
| This page and our site are both works in progress and as such we ask for your patience, thank you for your interest, and hope that you will consider this an outline, a sample of the site that we are developing and which will nevertheless be in a state of change and growth as our projects develop and additional information becomes available. We of course always welcome comments, questions, and individual contributions. Introduction: Maya Neem Farms, our Plantation/Farm/Rancho, is located in Yucatán, Mexico near the small but thriving and prosperous community of Panaba, about 2 hours east of the state capital, Merida, and about 2.5 to 3 hours from Cancun, in the state of Quintana Roo. More specifically, we are less than 90 minutes to Valladolid and the world famous Mayan ruins of Chitzen Itza and lesser known but magnificent ruins of Ek Balam. We are just 40 minutes to our nearest medium-sized city of Tizimin where you will find banks, restaurants, shopping, hospitals, and movie theaters as well as a fairly wide range of medical specialities. Merida, our closest major city, has world class everything from virtually every kind of medical facility and specialty to the most modern shopping malls, cultural and arts facilities, venues, and programs, and 5 star restaurants and hotels. Closer to home: We are literally surrounded by Nature both on the ranch/plantation itself and nearby as well. Our area is possibly the most famous and most productive ranching and farming area on the Yucatan peninsula and yet much of the natural beauty and habitat has been protected, respected, and preserved and that protection and commitment is growing every year now through government regulation, monitoring, and enforcement of laws to protect forests, water resources, and a multitude of animal species. A wide and growing variety of financial assistance programs, education and, financial incentives for environmental protection and sustainable rural land use and development are also in place or planned which help groups, communities, and individuals put into action programs which not only preserve and protect the natural environment but in fact contribute to it´s improvement through the development and implementation of sustainable methods of land and water use and education in conservation. Despite our relatively close proximity to other ranchos, farms, and even urban and developed areas, our project is nevertheless located in a largely wild area where much of the native wildlife has managed to survive over the years. Our mammal population includes monkeys to wild pigs to a variety of wild cats, to coyotes, raccoons, a variety or "cousin" to the katamundy, at least two kinds of deer, ant-eaters, plus a remarkably wide range of other species including indigenous and migratory birds, and all manner of rodents, reptiles, and insects. As the proverbial crow flys, we are less than 12 miles to the sea and very soon the government will begin construction of a new road which will take visitors almost directly from the rancho through one of the most magnificent Mangrove stands to a stretch of practically virgin beaches which extend along the edge of crystal blue sea almost 5KM long. Meantime , and just 40 minutes away, through mostly untraveled, yet inspiring countryside, are the fishing villages and eco-touristic/outdoor nature sports centers of the very quaint and Caribe San Felipe and our "Pearl of the Yucatan" , Rio Lagartos and Bio-Sphere Preserve. In terms of Nature´s gateway, Rio Lagartos especially is world famous for its variety of species and opportunities to enjoy nature responsibly yet with unencumbered freedom, while also learning about this truly unique environment. Birding, photography, sport fishing, diving, snorkeling ,and exploring on foot, horseback, or by boat, at least 4 nearby yet distinct biospheres which will keep even the most widely traveled visitor fascinated for hours, days , or even weeks. Many, arriving for a day or perhaps a few hours (including ourselves) find themselves returning month after month and year after year though they may live or arrive from the other side of the planet! Ahh, the magic of the Yucatán! |
Native forest on the ranch
15M x 50cm, 7 yrs
2nd growth Neem
2nd growth Neem
| Rancho Santa Cruz Granja Maya Neem Panaba, Yucatán Proyecto Ecologico Rural de Deserollo Sostenible |
| 2nd lamb born November 7, 2009 |
| Example of "managed grazing" for sheep combined with Spanish Cedar plantation |
| Each fenced parcel is intensively grazed every 31 days to maximize nutrition for the sheep while keeping grounds clear below and around trees |
Welcome to Maya Neem Farms
| Photo right: 1st of 3,000 Neem seedlings planted Oct., 2008 Most now stand 3m tall with 5 -10 cm diameters |
| We have been working at this project now for almost 2 years and are still very much taking baby steps forward... sometimes even backwards...but look forward to sharing our triumphs, however humble, as well as our setbacks and learning experiences with those who may share our interests and some kindred spirit to give back to the planet that supports and nourishes us all.... |
The Farm
| We Proudly Support Profitable, Sustainable, Green Investments! Please visit our sister site: www.YucatanRanchFarmandHome.com |
