Coffee and Opportunity in the Land of Trees

Farming groups in Guatemala's Western Highlands work with Guatemala's Ministry of Agriculture and Counterpart International to increase sustainable agriculture yields and create opportunities for their communities. (Part 1 of 7)

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Building for the Future in Guatemala's Western Highlands

Grupo Fraternidad, a close-knit group of neighbors working together to raise sheep, found new success with techniques and resources from Counterpart's Food for Progress program. (Part 2 of 7)

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Hands Together

Growing food to feed families in their community was a struggle in the face of pests, disease and drought until neighbors pooled their resources and formed Manos Juntas - "Hands Together". (Part 3 of 7)

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Fishing for a Better Life

Families in Guatemala’s highlands use fish farming to reduce malnutrition and increase incomes. (Part 4 of 7)

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Improving Livelihoods in the Western Highlands

With support from Counterpart, Guatemala’s Ministry of Agriculture is training farmers, supporting families, and strengthening economies in rural communities. (Part 5 of 7)

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A New Beginning for Guatemala

Farming cooperatives are breathing new life into Guatemala’s rural communities. (Part 6 of 7)

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Women in Coffee: Cheers to That

Women-owned coffee initiatives highlight the changing face of agriculture in Guatemala. (Part 7 of 7)

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About the Series

In the summer of 2016, Alexandra Frank, Counterpart’s External Relations Manager, visited partner communities throughout the Western Highlands of Guatemala and had the opportunity to speak with some of the families working with our Food for Progress team. To date, Counterpart had provided 226 organizational development trainings to farmers, and 124 farming cooperatives across all levels of production in industries ranging from coffee to vegetables to livestock. These seven stories celebrate the success of these communities in the face of many challenges.

With generous support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Counterpart International is working in more than 35 communities across Guatemala, providing training and capacity building to increase sustainable agricultural techniques in rural communities, increase production, and improve livelihoods of indigenous rural farmers.

All photographs in the series were taken by Bryan Clifton.

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