By Raul Velderrain , Sembrador Apprentice
I’d like to start off with saying how great a program this Los Sembradores group has been to be part of; from my fellow mates David, Aidas, and Casho, our instructors Miguel, Margarita and Donne, all those we’ve met along the way, and all that which has transpired. 
Together we have sheared sheep, brought back to life an old lindero, planted a plot and watered it with the acequia, made remedios, poured adobes, fermented pickles, harvested threshed and winnowed wheat, shared many laughs, some tears, and deep conversations, some about this land it’s people and their struggles. I’d like to say thanks to the ancestors who stewarded this land in a responsible manner, so that we can be here enjoying, living, and learning from it also. Thanks to the land and to those who continue to do the good work.
Through planting and tending these seeds, I have found querencia in the land in profound ways. I feel that my plants and our mutual need for one another helped me through hard times earlier this year. Rains brought rejoice. The smell of thirsty land taking a drink, ecstasy; A high uncomparable when you too are a seed. Rains brought bare feet dancing. The times without rain brought resiliency, and those late August rains nurtured faith. The majority of my plot, which consists of corn, beans, squash, pumpkins, sunflowers and amaranth, has only been irrigated once, when we initially planted them 3 months ago now. My other plot which consisted of alberjones, habas, and radishes did good and I am excited to plant them again next year. I learned so much this year and am looking forward to doing it again!
Another part of land and water stewardship that we learned about is ‘planting water’. This term refers to helping steward our mountains and their aquifers, by slowing down and spreading the flow of water. How this helps us and our acequias is that the more water we have in the mountains, the more sustained our rivers will be year-round and the more resilient they will be to fire. I aspire to do this more, and I look forward to seeing what results entail in the future. It is an indigenous practice that is talked about in the Picuris Pueblo Museum.
This year has planted many aspirations for the upcoming future and next year. One is to learn how to plow land with animals, which is in the works to happen this fall. Another is to teach and make space for others, especially youth, to connect with and learn from the land. Like last year, I will be saving most of my seed to plant even more land next year, to work towards a more food and seed sovereign future. Another idea I’d like to see happen next year is to have a small nursery of sorts, where mainly trees and shrubs can always be growing and then planted out around town. A greenhouse for some market garden crops is also in consideration. Drip lines and timers may be implemented also, for the nursery and greenhouse. Out in the fields I would like to continue practicing traditional methods.
Healthy food and clean water are the cornerstone for healthy minds and bodies. All this I hope can help us to remember what it’s like to live in connection with land. To facilitate food and seed sovereignty, to protect the land and water, to protect our air, to protect our future generations. I have found it to be a very healing thing for myself, and have seen the land and healthy food heal my family and friends also. Thanks for reading, and thanks to all those who make this program possible.
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