IMD in Mexico
Beneficial Microbes for the World
When: 17 September
Time: 08:30 - 12:30
Where: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (Mexico)
Event Description:
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon will host students from an elementary school to celebrate beneficial microorganisms. Our objective is to stimulate young students the appreciation of microscopic life through the understanding of the many benefits we obtain from them. Our target audience are elementary students (visitors) and university students (organizers). We expect between 50-80 participants. The participants will benefit from a talk given by a researcher, a hands-on laboratory experience and an outdoors experience.
Event Agenda
Day 17
8:30-9:30 Talk “Beneficial microbes for the world”
9:30-10:45 Hands-on experience - visit to the microbiology laboratories where visitors will see microorganisms in soils, water, leaves and other samples.
11:00-12:00 Microbial Art Contest. Our visitors will judge the work of veterinary students presenting art related to a beneficial microbe.
Day 19
8:00-12:30 Field trip to a Natural Reserve where students will appreciate the role of microorganisms in the environment
Knowing the importance of microbiology of the Three Systers of Mayan agriculture systems
When: 18 September 2025
Time: 09:00 - 15:00
Where: Village of Hopelchen, Campeche
Event Description:
Maya ancestral territory is threatened by the industrialized agricultural practices. The spread of these agricultural practices accross Campeche state in southeastern Mexico has increased deforestation and contributed to the contamination and depletion of groundwater. The widespread use of hybrid corn and genetically modified soy is compromising the continuance of native seed varieties. This is the contradiction with Mayan beliefs that give thanks to the land, water and seeds that have sustained their lives for millennia.
For 2025, we will work in the village/town of Hopelchen, Campeche, México.
We will reflect and discuss the microbiology of a collective of Maya farmers, seed keepers and undergraduate students pursuing a degree in sustainable agriculture. They all believe in a commitment to saving native seeds for future generations and the health of the ecosystem as a whole.
The model biological system behind this event is the Three Sister System (TSS).
The Three Sisters' are crops planted together in a shared space: maize, beans, and squash…. Developed through indigenous agricultural practices, these three plants protect and nourish each other in different ways as they grow and provide a solid diet for their cultivators.
Registration
We will have two different types of audience. On one hand, we will have undergraduate students, while on the other hand, we expect to have local farmers and seed (corn) keepers. The dynamics will involve short talks about basic microbiology and the microbiology of soil, food conservation and symbiosis. The Three Sisters System (corn, beans and squash) will be the central model to bring about discussion. We expect to have an open non-scientific discussion at the end of the day mixing the scientific view and traditional knowledge.
