By Francisco Arcila
CHOACHÍ, Colombia—On the Andean slopes of Choachí, Finca Villa Paz stands as a testament to sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and grassroots activism. This 36.7-hectare family-owned reserve, established in 1990 by Jack Z. Rotlewicz and Claudia Arcila, has been a pioneer in organic vegetable farming and forest preservation. Now, as a partner of Biocyclic Vegan International, Villa Paz is on the path to certification, exemplifying the principles of stock-free organic farming in South America.
In April 2001, Villa Paz became the first Civil Society Natural Reserve registered with the UAESPNN, the colombian national park authority, serving as a pilot study for Colombia’s guidelines on private natural reserves. The reserve dedicates approximately 75 % of its land to conservation efforts, with the remaining areas allocated to sustainable agricultural systems and buffer zones. The combination of nature conservation and innovative agriculture has positioned Villa Paz as a model for environmental stewardship in Latin America.
A Changing Landscape for Organic Farming
Since its registration, Villa Paz has focused on balancing conservation with sustainable agriculture. One of its primary innovations is the adoption of biocyclic composting and Biocyclic Humus Soil production, a method that eliminates the need for animal-based fertilisers. This shift has led to stronger plant root systems, greater resilience to pests, and improved product shelf life.
Villa Paz’s journey towards biocyclic vegan farming began in November 2022, when it conducted its first trials using this approach. For over 20 years, the farm had relied on traditional organic methods, incorporating animal-based fertilisers such as manure and vermicompost. The idea that crops could thrive without animal inputs seemed improbable—until they came across an article about Biocyclic Vegan Agriculture. Intrigued, they reached out to Biocyclic Vegan International, leading to a virtual meeting with experts Axel Anders and Dr. Johannes Eisenbach in June 2022.
Following this connection, Dr. Eisenbach visited the farm in November 2022 to provide hands-on guidance. The team at Villa Paz built their first biocyclic compost piles using locally available materials, including a native bamboo plant: Chusque (Chusquea scandens), residues from vegetable washing, and foliage from various trees and shrubs on the farm.
After six months of decomposition, they planted seedlings directly into the compost piles. The results were striking—healthy crops with strong root systems and superior resilience compared to those grown with conventional organic methods. The farm now maintains approximately 180 meters of composting rows at various stages of decomposition, cultivating a diverse range of vegetables, including lettuces, radishes, beets, fava beans, dill, arugula, turnips, and squash. The difference in taste has been undeniable.
Jack Rotlewicz, accompanied by a group of visitors, inspects one of the biocyclic humus piles – a pivotal step in Villa Paz’s evolution towards thriving, stock-free agriculture.
Recognised by Top Chefs for Flavour and Quality
The farm’s transition to biocyclic vegan agriculture has drawn attention from the culinary world. Through direct taste tests, chefs and visitors—including those from leading sustainable restaurants in Colombia—have consistently noted that vegetables grown in biocyclic compost have a richer and more distinct flavour. Furthermore, these crops maintain freshness longer after harvest, a key factor for both restaurants and consumers.
Encouraged by these findings, Villa Paz is expanding its composting operation to transition 50 % of its production to biocyclic vegan methods by the end of the year. The goal is not just to improve its own farming practices but to inspire others to make the shift as well.
The Role of Chusque in Sustainable Agriculture
Villa Paz has been a pioneer in exploring the use of chusque in composting and soil restoration. Research indicates that this native bamboo species plays a key role in enhancing soil fertility, controlling erosion, and rehabilitating degraded lands. The farm integrates chusque into its composting system, creating nutrient-rich biocyclic compost and Biocyclic Humus Soil that supports healthier crops.
However, scaling compost production remains a challenge. A limiting factor is the availability of sufficient plant material to produce large volumes of compost, which would justify the investment in a tractor and its attachments. Additionally, Villa Paz is assessing the human factor by determining how many biocyclic compost piles a person can manage manually. This will help eventually estimate production costs, such as how many linear meters of compost one person can effectively handle.
Chusquea scandens, a native bamboo species, plays a key role in soil restoration and Biocyclic Humus Soil production at the farm.
Growing a Community of Farmers: Educating and Expanding the Network
Over the past 25 years, many young people from the region have worked at Villa Paz, learning about organic farming. As the farm has expanded its market, it has also identified young workers interested in developing their own production sites. Villa Paz has supported these aspiring farmers financially and technically, helping them set up independent production sites using the same methodologies. The farm provides seedlings or seeds, retains the right to audit production, and later purchases the harvested crops.
Currently, Villa Paz operates under this model in three additional production sites, with the potential of fostering a broader biocyclic vegan network. Encouraging other farmers to transition to organic farming has proven to be an uphill battle let alone biocyclic vegan methods. Many small-scale farmers are reluctant to abandon traditional organic techniques, particularly due to financial constraints. The cost of specialised tools and the initial effort required to change farming practices are deterrents.
To address these issues, Villa Paz has been actively engaging with regional farmers, offering training sessions and facilitating access to resources that could ease their transition, first to traditional organic farming and then hopefully set the base for a transition to biocyclic vegan principles. The farm is also working on expanding its partnerships with sustainability-focused organisations, further strengthening the network of biocyclic vegan practitioners in South America.
Defending the Land: The Fight Against Extractive Industry
Beyond agriculture, Villa Paz has played a critical role in environmental activism. In 2007, the reserve became a key voice in opposing a proposed 167-kilometer nafta pipeline by Ecopetrol (Colombia’s largest oil and gas company). The project aimed to transport highly flammable solvent from Tocancipá to Meta, threatening vital ecosystems, displacing small farmers, and endangering Bogotá’s water supply.
Despite the risks, the project was advanced with minimal community consultation. Villa Paz, along with environmental organisations and local activists, spearheaded a campaign to halt the pipeline. Through legal battles, public awareness campaigns, and grassroots mobilisation, the coalition successfully blocked the project’s environmental license, setting a precedent for community-led conservation efforts.
The victory demonstrated the power of grassroots activism, empowering communities to take charge of their environmental future. The fight against the pipeline also reinforced Villa Paz’s role as an environmental leader, inspiring resistance efforts against similar extractive threats across Colombia. This act of resistance and environmental activism also gained coverage from Colombia’s largest newspapers (El Espectador, El Tiempo).
Further mining projects that the community successfully stopped sought to extract large volumes of sand for Bogotá’s construction industry. One of these projects directly affected Villa Paz, though it was not widely documented. However, Villa Paz actively participated in legal, political, and environmental interventions that contributed to stopping these projects. The experience of resisting the nafta pipeline empowered local communities and opened doors for greater participation in municipal land-use planning, reinforcing their right to shape the future of their territories.
From learning to growing: Villa Paz has helped turn aspiring farmers into successful producers with support, guidance, and a shared vision for organic farming.
Looking Ahead: Certification and Expansion
Villa Paz is now working towards full certification under the Biocyclic Vegan Standard. By strengthening its network of organic farmers, expanding composting infrastructure, and continuing research, the farm aims to push plant-based organic agriculture further into the mainstream.
As the farm continues to grow, its impact extends beyond agriculture. Villa Paz is demonstrating how small-scale farms can serve as powerful agents of change, defending ecosystems while redefining how food is produced. The farm’s success could shape the future of sustainable agriculture in South America, offering a replicable model for a more resilient and ethical food system.
For further information see:
All photo credits © Francisco Arcila