How We “Do” Culture at La Semilla
Michelle E. Carreon, Food Justice Storyteller
Cultural practice is embedded throughout all dimensions of our work at La Semilla. The interconnectedness of all six of our programs is visible in both cross-collaboration and a commitment to cultivating a just and sustainable food system on all levels. Drawing on traditional and ancestral ways of knowing and creating culture, we are also forging new forms of cultural practices that are rooted in our community and being passed on to younger generations.
Through production, community-based and hands-on education, and cultural programming at La Semilla Community Farm, we are fostering a culture with strong connections and knowledge of our Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. We are continuously learning about our roles within a local and global agroecology movement and how to practice agroecological approaches within our desert and border context, while offering opportunities for others to learn and to expand a local network of BIPOC farmers and food justice practitioners. We are fostering a culture in our food system that challenges and transforms narrow definitions of what a farmer looks like. Our farm is the heart of our organization–a space that is both healing and a teacher. Our cultural practices are also informed by this desert climate and seasonal changes. As weather shifts over seasons here in the desert and we witness changes in the land and crops, we make note of the shifts we are making ourselves and listen intentionally to what these changes may tell us. We think more about the necessity of rest, as we take lessons from the soil, and learn to adapt as native plants have been doing for generations.
La Semilla Community Farm at sunset (Photo by Michelle Carreon)
First Frost – November 2021 (Photo by Josh Jasso)
Through our other programs, culture is embedded and practiced in a variety of ways. Farm Fresh is fostering a culture that prioritizes a values-based food system and mindful, sustainable farming practices. Adapting to the significant impact that the pandemic has had on our community, in 2020, Farm Fresh implemented a weekly farm box program to increase access to healthy, fresh produce. Each box includes a diverse array of produce grown by farmers and growers in our region. Value-added products from local small businesses are also available. The program continues to build intentional relationships with farmers in our region and throughout New Mexico who care for the land, other farmers, and the values we are strongly rooted in. We work with partner farmers who engage in sustainable farming practices that prioritize people and planet. Beyond the box, Farm Fresh plays a crucial role in cultivating a culture and food system that supports local farmers through training, technical support, and fair prices. You can learn more about some of the partner farmers we work with at our blog.
Farm Fresh Farm Box (Photo by Michelle Carreon)
Our Edible Education and Community Education programs are dedicated to intergenerational learning and sharing. Both uplift and share traditional and ancestral knowledge and practices with our community in creative and meaningful ways. Edible Education works with local schools to build school gardens and develop and implement curricula that prioritize nutrition, gardening, and culturally relevant foods and cooking practices. Currently, Edible Education is rolling out several Ancestral Foods Lessons to share with teachers and the community. Available materials include an instructional video, lesson plans for teachers, and student workbooks available in English, Spanish, and Bilingual formats. Community Education works within the community to provide similar educational opportunities. Working with youth and families more broadly, the program provides training for building gardens throughout our community, programming on ancestral and culturally-relevant gardening and cooking practices, and works with local organizations to provide educational workshops.
Image from Ancestral Foods Lessons (Photo by Rubi Orozco Santos)
Garden bed preparation at El Calvario United Methodist Church
in Las Cruces, NM (Photo by Anahi Mena)
Community Education also supports local youth in the creation of culture, not only through education and leadership development but also in supporting their own cultural expression through practice and platforms. Many of our youth are artists and writers in their own right, and we aim to provide spaces for them to share their experiences and knowledge through these talents. We will soon be featuring one of the current participants in the Spring 2022 Raíces program who published a story about her experiences and our farm in a local magazine.
Spring 2022 Raices cohort learning about Christin Apodaca’s mural at
La Semilla Community Farm, February 2022 (Photo by Michelle Carreon)
In our next post, we will share more about our policy work and how we implement storytelling as a tool for change. Stay tuned next week to read more about our cultural practice at La Semilla!
