In the rugged hills of Oaxaca, something powerful is growing and it’s not just agave. It’s trust, partnership, and a shared belief in a better way forward.

Mezcal Vago took a major step toward biocultural sustainability by partnering with Fondo Agavero, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving agave biodiversity and empowering Mexico’s rural farming communities. Together, they’re proving that responsible stewardship and family-crafted spirits can grow side by side.

With the support of Bat Conservation International, Fondo Agavero established five agave and sotol seed banks across Mexico, including one hosted on the property of Vago maestro mezcalero Emigdio Jarquín Ramirez in El Nanche, Miahuatlán. These banks store seeds and safeguard the future of wild agave by providing technical assistance, viability testing, and education on how to reintroduce seeds using restoration-based models rather than harmful monoculture.

Every producer, regardless of size, can submit seeds to the bank and receive 95% of them back after testing at no cost to small-scale farmers. The other 5% is preserved long-term to protect genetic diversity and guard against extinction.

“In this project, the brands are supporters and promoters,” said Andres Cruz, Commercial and Communication Manager, Vago “not the sponsors or the “stars” of the show. The program aims to collaborate with everyone, big or small.”

For Heaven Hill and Mezcal Vago, the collaboration represents more than an environmental initiative, it’s a commitment to the people and land that make agave spirits possible. By supporting the seed bank’s establishment and championing the program’s mission, Vago helps ensure that families like the Jarquíns, remain at the heart of mezcal production.

“It’s also a living example of our commitment to our communities in action on shelves and in the soil. By working in collaboration with local communities, producers, and farms, our work with Fondo Agavero provides more than support, it ensures that future generations can thrive.”

“We take pride in being among the few brands that are deeply engaged in understanding our own process and growth, with the goal of making positive changes for both the environment and the communities we work with,” Cruz said.

In Mezcal Vago’s case, that support includes hosting one of the seed banks, sharing resources, and promoting the program across its network. Just as importantly, it means inviting neighboring families to join the effort and reintroduce agave into biodiverse, native ecosystems, helping rural communities reclaim their cultural and ecological heritage.

Through Mezcal Vago’s partnership with Fondo Agavero, we’re helping build a future where agave grows sustainably, producers lead with purpose, and communities thrive one seed bank, one story and one field at a time.