24th Annual Congreso de las Acequias
November 17 - 18 | Sagebrush Inn | Taos, NM
The Congreso de las Acequias is a vibrant gathering of acequias and our supporters from throughout New Mexico & Southern Colorado. We come together to celebrate our culture, share knowledge, and mobilize for our collective future. This two day gathering will include presentations with interactive dialogue, as well as our Congreso main event with music, art, teatro, presentations, and the beloved Bendición de las Aguas.
El Agua no se Vende
This year, our theme is El Agua no se Vende and we will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the passage of the 2003 acequia water transfer law that gives acequias an important tool to protect water as a community resource. We will also remember the legislators who made it possible and the acequia leaders who mobilized grassroots support to pass this historic legislation. Acequia leaders and supporters build upon our past work and strengthen our movement to defend and protect the precious waters of our communities!
The Congreso de las Acequias will be a hybrid event. The in-person event will be at the Sagebrush Inn Conference Center (1508 Paseo del Pueblo Sur) in Taos, NM and we will also provide the option to attend online via Zoom. In person registration covers breakfast snacks, lunch, entertainment, educational materials, an engaging agenda, networking, and youth activities.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FINAL PROGRAM
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PACKET OF 2023 DELEGATE RESOLUTIONS
EVENT PROGRAM
8:00 - 9:00am: Registration, Light breakfast, Música
9:00 - 9:30am: Welcome and Las Mañanitas
9:30 - 10:15am: Overview of 2003 Water Transfer and Water Banking Laws
- Enrique Romero, Office of the Attorney General, Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Division Director
- David Benavides, New Mexico Legal Aid
- Paula Garcia, New Mexico Acequia Association
10:15 - 10:45am: Break
10:45 - 11:30am: Regional Water Planning: Acequias and Public Welfare
- David Benavides, New Mexico Legal Aid
- Don Bustos, Rio Quemado, Rio en Medio, Rio Frijoles, Rio Santa Cruz Stream System Ditch Association
- Connie Maxwell, NMSU Water Resources Research Institute
- Serafina Lombardi, New Mexico Acequia Association
11:30 - 12:15pm: Acequia Disaster Recovery and Watershed Restoration
- Paula Garcia, New Mexico Acequia Association
- Matt Smith, High Water Mark, LLC
12:15 - 1:30pm: Lunch and Book Signing with José A. Rivera, Water for the People
1:30 - 2:30 pm: Concurrent Breakout Sessions
- Acequia and Community Ditch Infrastructure Fund (ACDIF): Presentation by Jonathan Martinez, Interstate Stream Commission
- Acequia Financial Compliance: Presentation by the Office of the State Auditor
- Healthy Soil Program: Presentation by Katie Goetz from NM Department of Agriculture
- Overview of USDA Programs by staff from FSA and NRCS
- Acequia Youth Meeting
2:30 - 3:00pm: Networking break
3:00 - 4:30pm: Congreso Delegates Meeting
5:00 - 6:00pm: Reception and Light Food, Music by Los Hermanos Martinez
6:00 - 7:00pm: Acequias: The Legacy Lives On
- Film Screening with opening remarks by Aracely Chapa, Director
8:00 - 9:00am: Registration, Light breakfast, Música
9:00 - 9:15am: Welcome and Canción de las Acequias
9:15 - 9:45am: Bendición de las Aguas
9:45 - 10:15am: Roll Call and Introduction of Dignitaries
10:15 - 10:30am: State of the Acequias
10:30 - 11:15am: Acequia Self Determination: 20 Years of Water Transfer Decisions
- Sylvia Rodriquez, Commissioner, Acequia de Valdez
- David Benavidez, New Mexico Legal Aid
- Paula Garcia, New Mexico Acequia Association
11:15 - 11:30am: Performance by David and Maximiño Manzanares
11:30 - 12:00pm: Awards and Recognitions
12:00 - 12:30pm: Teatro Acequiero
12:30 - 2:00pm: Lunch, Art Contest Winners, Door Prizes
Maíz $2500
- ANNOUNCEMENT of contribution during live event and in Congreso Program
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in our Print Newsletter, Electronic Newsletter, Facebook, and on our Website
- TABLE AT CONGRESO Your organization will have the option to set up a table at Congreso
- ADMISSION FOR 2 TO CONGRESO
Calabaza $1000
- ANNOUNCEMENT of contribution during live event and in Congreso Program
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in our Print Newsletter, Electronic Newsletter, Facebook, and on our Website
- TABLE AT CONGRESO Your organization will have the option to set up a table at Congreso
- ADMISSION FOR 2 TO CONGRESO
CHILE $500
- ANNOUNCEMENT of contribution in Congreso Program
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in our Print Newsletter, Electronic Newsletter, Facebook, and on our Website
- TABLE AT CONGRESO Your organization will have the option to set up a table at Congreso
- ADMISSION FOR 2 TO CONGRESO
Hava $250
- ANNOUNCEMENT of contribution in Congreso Program
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT in our Print Newsletter, Electronic Newsletter, Facebook, and on our Website
- ADMISSION FOR 2 TO CONGRESO
Alverjon $100
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENT on our Website
- ADMISSION FOR 2 TO CONGRESO
2023 Acequia Art & Photo Contest
Share your art, photography, or written works with the acequia community!
1st PLACE
$250 and an NMAA T-shirt
2nd PLACE
$200 and an NMAA T-shirt
3rd PLACE
$150 and an NMAA T-shirt