Miguel Angel Uribe Jacobo
A Pioneer In Organic and Native Agriculture

December 19, 1950 – August 8, 2020

Miguel Angel Uribe Jacobo, a pioneer in organic and native agriculture, passed away on August 8, 2020 at his home in Uruapan, Mexico. Miguel was the Founder of Living Earth and Tierra Viviente Agricultura Orgánica, both family owned businesses, that were inspired by his family traditions, native heritage, and generations of native agriculture. 

Miguel grew up with myths and legends about the relationship between the Grand Father Sun and Mother Earth. He understood how abundant their relationship can be when one works within the Laws of Nature. He studied the scientific foundations of organic agriculture and organic farming management. His dream was to use this knowledge to create a better future, by growing and distributing the highest quality produce in the world. Over the past 40 years, he developed a keen business sense and became one of the leading voices and most influential figures in organic farming in the United States and Mexico. 

Legacy

Miguel started his career in North County San Diego and is widely recognized as one of its original organic farmers. There, he played a pivotal role in converting conventional groves such as citrus and avocados into organic groves. Soon after, he expanded his crop growing and began managing native farmland next to the Colorado River, at the Quechan Reservation in Bard, California. He farmed and managed that land for over 10 years.

As a grower, Miguel’s unique gift was the ability to identify nutritious fruits, vegetables, and herbs and discover new ways to farm them in the most nutrient-dense way. All of his methods honored the earth and fueled the human body. During his career, he originated the first baby lettuce spring mix and created the Honeylope (half honeydew, half cantaloupe). He also farmed native corn, avocado, melons, quinoa, oats, chia, dates, garlic, and seasonal vegetables.

After many years of traditional organic farming, Miguel found his true calling was to build collaboration with indigenous communities, help them re-establish their culture, tradition, and economy, through the production of organic native corn. As a result, he formed Xanini, a coalition of 89 indigenous corn growers that brought together over 400 Hectares of Organic Certified Native Corn. 

He shared a lifetime of field experience with the native people of Michoacan, Mexico,  and helped them to develop inputs, which most of them could not afford. For example, he taught them to make charcoal from the cobs of the corn and compost from the Cachaza (Sugar Cane residues) from the local Sugar Mill. The combination of field experience and inputs led farmers to increase their production from 50% to 150% through the application of his organic agricultural programs. He then used Tierra Viviente’s relationships in Mexico and the United States to purchase this corn and bring prosperity to 7 different communities in the Meseta Purépecha of Michoacan. The Xanini coalition he formed, also helped to preserve the native corn plasma and reintroduce a native corn tortilla to kitchen tables all across Mexico.

Throughout his life, Miguel loved sharing his knowledge, awareness, and experience. He was a frequent speaker at conferences and universities throughout the United States and Mexico. He was a passionate advocate of permaculture and indigenous farming and battled to keep Monsanto’s pesticides and genetically modified crops off of indigenous land. Miguel never wanted the spotlight. He was usually the quietest person in the room. But when he spoke, his native wisdom and words penetrated your soul and had lasting impact.  

As much as Miguel loved the earth, his true love was family. He leaves behind his customs, wisdom, and knowledge to his children. They are committed to continuing his legacy for generations to come. 

On behalf of Miguel’s children and the entire Uribe family, we want to express our deepest gratitude for the time you spent with our father here on Mother Earth. Miguel laid the path for all of us. Now we invite you to join us, as we continue his legacy, in a way that makes the world a better place and honors his life forever!