The sounds of the bellowing cows, crunch of the snow,ice, and the slapping of wind against the plastic of the hoophouses remind me of you Acequiero. Looking around me, I drink in the sight of the faded barns, rough hewn fences stretched tight with wire and watch as the land transforms throughout the year, giving up new secrets and burying others in a blanket of snow. The wind hits my face, chilling my cheeks and chin, but then the sun peeks out and warms me from deep within. As I look out onto this landscape, I am in awe of your fierce dedication to protect this place and tradition.
You coax the plants to grow, curling and unfolding themselves upward. You unfreeze hoses in the winter, slog through mud in the spring and bake under the heavy heat of summer. When "they" say farming isn't just a job, it is a way of life, you actually know what that means from the top of your head down deep into your belly and soul. And you just do it – day, after day, after day. This strength and determination, even the optimism you embody, it swells my heart and I am proud to call you my farmer, my mayordomo, my provider!
** The New Mexico Acequia Association would like to invite you to send Valentines to your beloved farmers, commissioners, and mayordoma/os because without their profound love and dedication to the land and our cultural traditions we would not be here today! Please share a photo, thank you, and small love note to your acequia and stewards you love most this Valentines Day on our Facebook page!**