By Alejandro Lopez In northern New Mexico, as indeed throughout the Spanish-speaking world, the feast of San Isidro Labrador on May 15th, is deemed to be an auspicious day, particularly for farmers. In many communities, bultos (three dimensional wooden representations … Continued
The Senate Agriculture Committee passed a draft of the 2012 Farm Bill toward the end of April. NMAA has submitted to our congressional delegation some key priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill based on a resolution passed by the Congreso … Continued
By Juliet Garcia-Gonzales On the morning of Saturday, April 29th some of the NMAA Sembrando Semillas youth group was able to walk alongside 31 peones and mayordomo, Candido Dominguez, as they cleaned the Acequia Madre in Chamisal. The avisador had … Continued
By Janice Varela Earlier this year, the New Mexico Acequia Association held a workshop on Acequia Infrastructure Planning, Acequia Repairs and Legislative Capital Outlay funding. David F. Garcia of NMAA kicked off the workshop with his song, "Cancion de las … Continued
By Paula Garcia In addition to the spring cleaning, it is also the time of year when many acequias hold their annual meetings. Acequias for generations likely held meetings to discuss the practical day-to-day operation of the acequia, … Continued
New Mexico remains drought-plagued after a very dry 2010-2011 winter that was influenced heavily by a moderate to strong La Niña event. The monsoon that followed was spottier than normal, alleviating drought in only a few regions, and widespread precipitation … Continued
By Janice Varela The New Mexico Acequia Association's monthly workshop topic in March was Acequia Customs and Water Management. Over 35 comicionados, mayordomos and parciantes from throughout the state attended this workshop at the Lodge Hotel in Santa Fe. … Continued
By Paula Garcia For generation upon generation, the acequia tradition of sacando la acequia has endured in New Mexico and Southern Colorado. We often call water the lifeblood of the community; it is also true that the people are … Continued
By Paula Garcia, NMAA Executive Director The acequia easement is generally known as the "bordo" of the acequia which is the land on either side of the acequia that is a passageway up and down the length of the acequia. … Continued
By Paula Garcia, Executive Director New Mexico's arid environment has fostered a worldview of reverence for water for millennia among the indigenous people of the area who have practiced sophisticated water harvesting and floor irrigation methods. When acequias were established … Continued