Join the Logoche Water Project
Introducing the community of Logoche
Nestled at the southern edge of the Central Valleys, against the backdrop of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains, lies the village of Logoche. This small community of 110 people holds an esteemed position as a hub of artisanal mezcal production in the region.
A group of 13 of Logoche's producers are united under the Grupo Producer Logoche cooperative, a guiding force for collaborative ventures. Through this cooperative, decisions are made collectively, with members meeting regularly to achieve consensus.
Reflective of Mexico's diverse legal frameworks, Logoche operates under two distinct systems: federal governance and indigenous customary laws known as Usos y Costumbres. The latter empowers direct community involvement in the welfare of all and land stewardship.
Central to Logoche's identity is the age-old practice of "Tequio," a communal practice dating back to pre-colonial times. Here, community members come together to work on projects that benefit everyone. In the realm of mezcal production, tequio is enlisted during “la tapada,” the burying of agave piñas that happens during the cook. Whether aiding in the agave roasting process or assisting a neighbor in their endeavors, Logoche exemplifies the significance of community collaboration. Even agave harvesting, an integral aspect of mezcal-making, embraces the communal spirit, highlighting the essential role of joint effort in Logoche's mezcal tradition.
You can donate directly to Isla Urbana via paypal to info@islaurbana.org just make sure to include “Logoche Water Project” in the donation notes
The Challenge: Water scarcity
Throughout the entire process of mezcal production, water is a constant necessity—from agave cultivation to mezcal distillation. A typical seedbed in Logoche, home to 3,000 plants, demands around 3,600 liters of water per week, drawn from the individual wells of each producer. During the dry season from October to April, plant irrigation takes place weekly. Watering frequency varies based on plant size, with newly planted or smaller plants needing more frequent waterings, while mature plants are tended to once a week.
Every producer family has access to wells on their lands, drawing water for both fermentation and mezcal distillation. The process of fermenting 10 tons of raw agave requires approximately 7,000 liters of water, a ratio of 1kg of agave to 1 liter of water, mixed in fermentation vats or tanks with capacities ranging from 800 to 1400 liters.
The cooling phase of distillation relies on well water, as each producer's well supplies the necessary water. An estimated 15,000 liters of water are used during the distillation of 10 tons of agave. Cooling tanks are initially filled and emptied as needed throughout distillation, with capacities ranging from 4,000 to 5,000 liters of water.
Notably, no producers currently employ water capture systems, although interest in the concept is universal.
An alarming trend has emerged—100% of producers have noticed dwindling water availability in recent years, particularly in their wells and the riverbed. While well water remains of good quality, stream water is solely used for distillation due to unsuitability for irrigation. Water scarcity has become a paramount challenge for the community, necessitating immediate actions to rectify the situation.
Water usage for agave cultivation and mezcal production in Logoche:
80% of producers maintain agave nurseries
1,329,000 liters of water are needed per year for nursery irrigation
22 liters of water used to create a single liter of finished mezcal
Project overview:
At the outset of this year, after months of intensive interviews and community surveys in Logoche, we partnered with independent sustainability consultant Selene Osorio to assess the ecological impact of mezcal production. Working in tandem with Logoche's dedicated mezcal producers, we began quantifying water usage, firewood consumption, and plant mass in agave cultivation, cooking, and processing. What emerged from conversations with 15 producers was a unanimous concern—water scarcity.
In response, we've united forces with Isla Urbana, a trailblazing organization dedicated to promoting sustainability across Mexico through rainwater capture. We've also joined with the members of the Grupo Productor Logoche cooperative to implement a water capture system at their bottling facility and at the Logoche community school. Each cistern will have the capacity to hold between 15,000 and 25,000 liters per rain, amassing 307,200 liters annually. These installations stand to benefit the entire community.
You can donate directly to Isla Urbana via paypal to info@islaurbana.org just make sure to include “Logoche Water Project” in the donation notes
Your Contribution:
Your generous donation will directly contribute to the construction of two 20,000-liter cement cisterns, the purchases of the filters and component parts for the integration of the Isla Urbana Kit Chaac filtration system, and the facilitation of essential technical visits and training sessions. Your contribution will also enable us to co-design educational programming on water sustainability with community members through informative sessions and ongoing training sessions throughout 2024.
Donors will be privy to regular photo updates from the Isla Urbana workshop days, as well as updates on the cistern construction and system installations, all set to be delivered by the end of December. By mid-next rainy season (July 2024), we anticipate providing insights into the functionality of the systems and testimonials from producers.
We invite you to watch this video showcasing how the Isla Urbana filtration system operates within rural contexts:
The Road Ahead:
Our aim is to raise $11,500 USD to kickstart the Logoche Water Sustainability Project by November 15, 2023. All materials with the exception of the filters will be locally sourced from Miahuatlán, and the cistern construction will be completed through the collective effort of Logoche community members over a span of 14 days. NETA will act as the liaison between the Grupo Productor Logoche and Isla Urbana by project-managing in Oaxaca and in Logoche and documenting the progress for donors. We will be fundraising for this goal over the next months through bottle auctions, raffles, and sales.
About Isla Urbana: Isla Urbana is at the forefront of advocating water sustainability in Mexico through rainwater harvesting.
Meet Selene Osorio: A seasoned consultant with 12 years of experience, Selene spearheads sustainable development strategies and projects, particularly in agave spirits production.
Join Us in Creating Change
Your support will directly support Logoche's producers, forging a legacy of continued water access and continued communal efforts.