As rural families struggle to make a living and remain on land gained through land reform in the northeastern Brazilian state of Maranhão, the Association in the Settlement Areas of the State of Maranhão (ASSEMA) provides the services—from technical assistance and capacity building events to sustainable agriculture training and women’s empowerment and marketing programs—that they need to thrive.

As an association of rural workers, ASSEMA combines deep relationships in the local communities, traditional know-how and the latest agroecological techniques for sustainable farming, agro-biodiversity and agroforestry. The association also organizes these communities to lobby for a more equitable distribution of resources, and to address the structural inequities that have kept the poor in Maranhão hungry for generations

ASSEMA puts great emphasis on the value of women's work and a respect for local cultures and the environment. Their work encourages families to diversify their sources of income.

One of ASSEMA's goals is to improve the production and value of the babaçu nut, a traditional crop with great economic potential through oil and natural health and skin care products. Grassroots’ support focuses largely on women involved in the production and marketing of the babaçu nut.