At MMRF, we cultivate a thriving tropical food forest with hundreds of plant species. This agro-ecological system not only provides food but also restores natural resources by sequestering carbon, improving soil and water retention, and creating vital habitats for wildlife. Our work demonstrates how biodiversity can be applied to farming landscapes for lasting abundance.
Our Story
Rooted in the Maya Mountains since 1988
Maya Mountain Research Farm (MMRF) was founded in 1988 and is now one of the longest-running permaculture projects in Central America. Located along the Columbia River in southern Belize, the farm has grown into a registered NGO and demonstration site dedicated to sustainable agriculture, food security, and appropriate technology. Managed by Christopher and Celini Nesbitt, MMRF has become a hub for innovation and ecological resilience.
Research, Training & Collaboration
MMRF serves as both a research center and a hands-on training ground. We host interns, students, volunteers, and visiting groups while partnering with NGOs, CBOs, and universities. From renewable energy and agroforestry to small-scale animal husbandry and carbon farming, our programs provide practical skills and real-world solutions. Past projects include managing the Belizean Maya Ethnobotanical Research Project for the University of Florida.
Renewable Energy & Resource Conservation
Working in harmony with the land
Sustainability extends beyond the fields at MMRF. All of our buildings are powered entirely by renewable energy, and water is sourced from a mountain spring using solar pumps. We also collaborate with surrounding communities, helping farmers and villages install photovoltaic water pumps that reduce dependency on fossil fuels while increasing local resilience.
Cultivating resilience for people and ecosystems
Everything we do at MMRF is guided by the belief that healthy landscapes create healthy communities.
