Antonio Carrillo Bolea Appointed Director of Agriculture for Veracruz

Terra Advocati is proud to celebrate the appointment of our good friend and collaborator, Antonio Carrillo Bolea, as the Director of Agriculture for the State of Veracruz. (Dirección General de Agricultura y Fitosanitaria)

This recognition is not only a personal achievement for Antonio, but also a powerful affirmation of the values and vision he has dedicated his career to: regenerative agriculture, agro-ecological systems, keyline design principles for watershed management, community-based resilience, and innovative solutions for farmers, ranchers, and industry, across Mexico.

Our relationship with Antonio has been one of steady growth and collaboration. From our earliest exchanges with Estampa Verde A.C., the organization he leads in Los Tuxtlas, we recognized his ability to bridge technical expertise with a commitment to social and ecological regeneration. Over the years, this collaboration expanded through the Coalition for Regenerative Ecologies and Agriculture (CREA), where Antonio’s leadership has helped to shape cross-border projects linking Terra Advocati, the University of Texas San Antonio, and the Alamo Colleges, with farmers, and practitioners in Mexico and beyond. His role as Mexico’s National Coordinator for the Vetiver Network International further underscores his dedication to scaling sustainable solutions through training, research, and implementation.

Antonio’s career is rooted in on-the-ground projects that demonstrate both vision and practicality. His work with the Red de Ganadería Sustentable (REGASO) in Los Tuxtlas introduced innovative grazing and watershed restoration models that balance productivity with ecological health. He has partnered with leaders like Ricardo Romero at Las Cañadas – Bosque de Niebla, co-developing courses that integrate vetiver systems with agroforestry and keyline hydrology. Beyond Veracruz, Antonio has carried this expertise to diverse landscapes, from developing vetiver systems in Guerrero to implementing regenerative strategies in Sonora, always adapting techniques to local contexts and needs.

Through Estampa Verde and Vetiver Roots Technology, Antonio has built a reputation for excellence in designing and delivering training programs that equip farmers, ranchers, and institutions with the tools to combat erosion, restore soils, and secure water resilience. His work shows that vetiver grass is not simply a plant for slope stability but part of a larger toolkit for ecological regeneration and rural prosperity. These programs have inspired producers across Mexico and beyond, leaving behind tangible landscapes of recovery and hope.

In addition to his leadership in regenerative agriculture, Antonio has also been deeply engaged in Melipona bee restoration and habitat recovery. Working in the tropical forests of Veracruz, he has pioneered efforts to set and manage bee traps that allow for the careful harvesting and repopulation of native stingless bees. These projects have been carried out in collaboration with UNAM’s School of Architecture, where Antonio has partnered with faculty and students to design innovative structures capable of housing large numbers of hives while maintaining the delicate conditions these pollinators require.

Antonio’s commitment to pollinator restoration extends beyond Veracruz through his partnership with the HONEY Pathway program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. This summer, Estampa Verde hosted two five-week internships as part of the HONEY Pathway initiative, giving students hands-on experience in bee conservation, agroforestry, and regenerative land management. These exchanges not only advance scientific understanding but also create bridges between communities in Mexico and the United States, reinforcing the shared importance of pollinators to food security and ecological resilience.

It is for all of these reasons, and many more, that Antonio is the perfect choice to serve as Veracruz’s Director of Agriculture. He brings not only technical mastery but also a profound respect for the people and ecosystems that make Veracruz one of Mexico’s most vibrant agricultural states. We are confident that his leadership will foster policies and programs that honor tradition while embracing innovation, ensuring that Veracruz becomes a model for regenerative agriculture in Mexico and across Latin America.

On behalf of Terra Advocati, we extend our warmest congratulations to Antonio. We are proud to call him a friend, partner, and collaborator. As he takes on this new responsibility, we offer him our wholehearted support and look forward to the many opportunities ahead to continue working together in service of communities, ecosystems, and future generations.