The Ecology Center Ipe is an NGO which, since 1985, has worked to promote sustainable advancement in agriculture through the adoption of alternative technologies oriented by the philosophy of environmental conservation and social justice.  By means of visits, meetings, courses, and counseling in capacity-building and planning, the Ipe Ecology Center advises organizations of family farmers about production, processes, and commercialization of natural foods.  A natural correlate of this work is the attempt to rescue and manage agricultural and varietal biodiversity, to stimulate organizing among producers and consumers, to develop local markets for natural products, and to promote the formulation of public policies which incentivize sustainable agriculture.