Building Dignified Homes Through Worker Leadership

In Villa Corona, a rural agave-growing community in Jalisco, Mexico, many families own small plots of land but lack the resources to build safe and durable homes. Residents often construct kitchens and bathrooms using wood, adobe, or metal sheets that provide basic shelter but fail to withstand heavy rain or extreme heat over time. For the 69 workers at EDULAG, a Fair Trade Certified agave grower and syrup producer, housing security emerged as a pressing issue directly affecting their daily lives and family stability. After EDULAG achieved Fair Trade Certification in 2018, workers formed the Fair Trade Committee, Sembrando Agaves, to manage their Community Development Funds. The committee unites elected worker representatives and appointed management to make decisions, which the General Assembly then approves. During its first year, the committee invested in essential household items like refrigerators and stoves to meet immediate needs. With support from the Fair Trade USA Producer Services team, members conducted a deeper needs assessment in 2020. This process revealed that dignified housing stood as their most urgent shared priority. Committee members collaborated with architects to plan construction phases, estimate costs, and identify households to prioritize. In October 2020, workers launched their first housing project. By the end of that year, they had completed seven new homes and started construction on three more. "As simple workers, we represent all workers. Being able to bring smiles to people’s faces is a great source of satisfaction," said Hugo Palomino, a member of the Fair Trade Committee. As their leadership skills grew, the committee expanded its scope. By 2024, workers approved four parallel investment areas: housing construction and improvements, solar-powered homes, health and nutrition support, and education. In 2025, the committee updated its needs assessment using a digital survey tool shared through WhatsApp. They complemented this technology with one-on-one interviews to ensure workers with low literacy levels or older adults could easily participate and share their voices. As of the end of 2025, Community Development Fund investments totaled $232,240 USD and have funded the construction of 26 new homes and improvements to 20 others. These projects have directly benefited 46 families, improving the living conditions of 120 people in total. "It feels great knowing that the voices of our colleagues are heard. We trust each other, and if someone needs health support, we’ve got their back," shared Rubén Suárez. For Darely Estrada, the process completely changed how she views her daily work. "In my previous jobs, we didn’t have these benefits. When I first heard about Fair Trade, I didn’t believe workers could receive so much support. Now, every time I see a Fair Trade shipment go out, I get excited, because I know it means more support for our projects," she explained. These transformative investments demonstrate the profound impact of collective worker action and democratic decision-making. By actively addressing foundational needs like housing and health, the Sembrando Agaves committee continues to foster a stronger, more resilient community where workers and their families can thrive.