Rapid rates of deforestation in Mexican forest systems threatens the vitality of forest and human communities alike. If conservation and rural development are to evolve together it has been argued that environmental conservation must be paired with economic development through 'market-based' conservation, in order to succeed where legislation alone has failed. This research examines Fair Trade in the context of forest conservation and rural development. I examine the question: Can a Fair Trade label improve non-timber forest product collectors' well-being and encourage forest conservation through price premiums? This paper will examine the feasibility of Fair Trade certification for the Mexican palm, Chamaedorea, a popular non-timber forest product of Southern Mexico used in US Palm Sunday celebrations. In order to address this question I examine, whether a market exists for and can accommodate Fair Trade palm fronds. Through a series of field visits, informal and formal interviews and survey administration I examine the function of three study systems (Mexican palm collecting communities, US palm supply houses and churches) and the role of actors within them in the creation and implementation of a Fair Trade palm initiative. In addition, this paper critically examines potential opportunities and impediments to the creation of a Fair Trade palm label and suggests strategies to utilize the opportunities and overcome the barriers identified.