When recalling the history of the cooperative he helped build, Cláudio Laux — in 2020, the oldest member of Ecocitrus at over 80 years old — cannot hold back his tears: “In the beginning, there were only a few of us. But then one more member joined, then another, and it kept growing.” With teary eyes, he remembers the first meetings held at the Fink Hall in Harmonia, and the friendships he made over more than 25 years. He is the patriarch of the Laux family, which has three members in Ecocitrus: himself and his children Luís Carlos and Carla.

Cláudio was a pioneer of ecological vision in citrus farming in the Vale do Caí region and the first farmer in the area to purchase a brushcutter, going against the prevailing idea at the time of leaving the soil bare. This practice mimics the model used in temperate agriculture but disregards that, in a tropical climate and following the principles of agroecology, the soil should have good vegetation cover.

Even at his age, Cláudio remains very active. He easily joins walking groups and talks to everyone. He is a founding member of Ecocitrus, along with 14 other people who pioneered the cooperative — including his son Luís Carlos.

With measured gestures and a steady voice while recounting the early days of Ecocitrus, Luís summarizes that, for him, the cooperative has always been tied to the word “knowledge,” because it allows for meetings and gatherings where people learn together — and a kind of knowledge that transcends agriculture, touching on life itself. He explains that, at its founding, Ecocitrus’ citrus growers positioned themselves against a movement already established in Brazilian agriculture, which began in the 1960s with the so-called Green Revolution. At that time, farmers were heavily encouraged by the government to use pesticides, with ready-made packages and financial subsidies. Agroecology was not yet widespread — much less in citrus farming — and was known back then as “alternative agriculture.”

It’s easy to learn what Luís has done by talking to other cooperative members, who cite his ideas, reference his experiences, and share the knowledge he passed on. He was one of the first Ecocitrus farmers to take a biodynamic agriculture course in 1998, in Botucatu – SP. Since biodynamic practices must be applied collectively, it took at least three more years before other members learned about the model and could begin implementing this type of agriculture, developed by Austrian Rudolf Steiner and introduced in a series of lectures in 1924.

Currently, the Laux family has three properties certified with the Demeter label — which ensures biodynamic management — and with established agroforestry systems. Additionally, Luís is active in the cooperative’s leadership, having served as president and as secretary of the Administrative Council during the 2019–2021 term.

In contrast to the calm demeanor of her father and brother, Carla is quick and talkative. She joined Ecocitrus in 2009. “I grew up listening to my father and Luís talk about the cooperative, ecology, and the environment. So it was very natural for me to become a member after them,” she explains. She walks proudly through the orchards she cultivates. At first, she didn’t want to work in agriculture, but she went along with the family because she didn’t want to study. Over time, she fell in love with the work.

The three form a complementary family that embodies the essence of Ecocitrus. More than just growing fruit, they strengthen the cooperative system — already present in nature — and value what is best for the group, carrying ecological farming forward.