BLESSINGS FROM THE RANGE
Hundreds of redwing black birds have been frolicking on the farm lately, a clear sign that winter has arrived. Away from the busy clock-driven industrial world, seasons here are measured by which bird species arrives or leaves. Canadian geese and ducks, usually making their graceful appearance in November, have been slow to show up. Seeing so many birds now, and knowing that our fields are full of seeds and grasses, brings me great joy. Personally, I consider feeding wildlife as important as feeding people.
After writing a gloomy report in august, while experiencing a season of exhaustion, lack of community participation, and doubt about the future of Mil Abrazos, I received countless words of encouragement. Subsequently, I let go of certain expectations, and focused on finishing the harvest with surrender and gratitude. It was a humbling experience, and one that made me realize what our ancestors went through, and many indigenous people the world over still have have to do, to feed themselves. The corn and bean harvest took ten full weeks. With very little help this year, I was able to grow 1,500lbs of blue corn, 400lbs of bolita beans and 500lbs of winter squash.
Returning to a land-based life, even for someone with my experience, endurance and determination, is a monumental effort. After four years of tending this land, building lodging capacity, installing irrigation systems, planting trees, growing crops, developing a campground and Airbnb, running an acequia youth program and working as a ditch commissioner, I realize that I need to redefine what I am doing here, and what I can offer to the world. It is becoming increasingly clear to me that we need to create curriculums to prepare people longing for a sustainable land-based life, to make the transition.
Most folks, especially the youth, have no idea of what it takes to live in the country, build dwellings, and grow food. Many aspire to a land-based community life, but live in fantasy and never realize their dreams.
Managing this project, and having been part of another rural community land trust twenty years ago, brings me to the realization that internship and mentorship programs must be created to help people develop awareness, skills, strength, patience, discipline and endurance, to be equipped one day to make the leap to a more natural and fulfilling existence.
In a consumer society, the concepts of stewarding land, tending the commons, living simply, sharing and being of service to community, are not often taught in schools. Yet, these notions, very much part of an indigenous way of thinking, are paramount to making a transition to a land-based life, and establish successful agrarian settlements for future generations.
Creating intentional rural community is not doing a “retreat center” for privileged folks who already have everything. It’s not settling as colonizers and ignoring the poverty, needs and neglect around most rural communities. Doing community is discovering how to use our skills, and developing the necessary ones, to serve the land, the wildlife and our neighbors.
It’s been an honor, and a great learning, to be here in this valley. At our recent annual irrigation ditch meeting, I shared how I feel about our 13 mile-long acequia, a complex and fragile infrastructure sustaining sixty small ranching families, whose ancestors settled here over 200 years ago. I spoke in tears about the need to care for the ditch, like people did in the past when this valley grew a surplus of food, and about the importance to educate the youth to become skilled stewards of the land. I got re-elected for a third 2-year term as ditch commissioner, a volunteer position I take at heart.
This winter, beside running a youth acequia program supported by a grant from the New Mexico Economic Development Department Outdoor Division, I will be reflecting on a new direction for the project. The goal of creating a permanent human settlement is still very much alive, but people drawn to our mission must realize that developing the commons, restoring land, developing educational programs for the community, and growing food, come way before building one’s dream house! Our farm building can now accommodate winter residents, and our lovely campground and vintage trailers are perfectly suited for summer lodging.
I am inspired by all that I have learned and accomplished so far. It’s been a labor of love, and being trusted by the local community to handle our ditch affairs, and congratulated by my neighbors for growing blue corn and beans, something they haven’t seen in the valley for over 20 years, is like a soothing balm on my soul.
I want to express my gratitude to our Board of Directors for their unflinching support, love and faith in my inspired madness, as well as to all the volunteers and visitors who have kept this project alive. I also wish to thank all the individuals and organizations who have financially contributed to this project, in particular the State’s Outdoor Recreation Division and the Denver Foundation.
Please consider financially supporting this project’s many initiatives. Any donation keeps us going. We also accept donation of building material, vehicles, tools and equipment. Donations are tax-deductible.
May this Holiday season further opens your heart to the beauty in the world, and strengthens your commitment to be in service to our beloved Planet.
Mil Abrazos Community Land Trust is a 501(c)3
Donations of cash, stocks, vehicles or material goods are tax-deductible
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