News & Views from the Sustainable Southwest

Las Norteñas: A Prescription for Healing

The Battle at Santa Cruz and Siege of Taos Pueblo

La Querencia: Women in Agriculture

Reviving the Seed Arts

Santa Fe Film Festival Program Guide Inside

May 2014 Northern New Mexico’s Largest Circulation Newspaper Vol. 6 No. 5 2 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 3 4 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com Vol. 6, No. 5 • May 2014 Issue No. 61 Publisher Green Fire Publishing, LLC Skip Whitson News & Views from the Sustainable Southwest Associate Publisher Winner of the Sustainable Santa Fe Award for Outstanding Educational Project Barbara E. Brown Editor-in-chief Contents Seth Roffman The Battle at Santa Cruz de la Cañada and the Siege at Taos Pueblo . 7 Art Director Thoughts about an Imposed Grand Silence from Communal Trauma . 10 Anna C. Hansen, Dakini Design Women Start the Healing Process in Response to Historic Violence . 11 Copy Editors Stephen Klinger Being of Tewa Women Ancestry...... 12 Susan Clair La Querencia: Webmaster: Karen Shepherd . Agriculture, Culture, and the Creation of Meaning in Northern New Mexico. 14 Contributing Writers Don Bustos, Anna Marie García, Earl James, Along the Path of Learning...... 14 Melanie Margarita Kirby, Juanita Lavadie, Roger Montoya, Sayrah Namaste, John Olivas, Women in Agriculture...... 15 Maclovia Quintana, Seth Roffman, Kathy Memory Doors ...... 17 Wanpovi Sanchez, L. Acuña Sandoval, Rosalía Triana, Camilla Trujillo, Patricia Trujillo Oremos, Oremos: The Fruitful Life of Isabel Salazar, an Amazing Cook...... 18 Contributing Healthy Children Make Happy, Healthy Communities. 23 Photographers Edward S. Curtis, Anna C. Hansen, Melanie A Tribute to a Living Legend ...... 24 Kirby, Jesse L. Nusbaum, Seth Roffman, Beth Smoke and Mirrors: Theater as Healing Art ...... 26 Ann Sánchez, L. Acuña Sandoval Reviving the Seed Arts ...... 28 PUBLISHER’S ASSISTANTs Lisa Allocco, Cisco Whitson-Brown, The Bee Hive: Boom to Bloom...... 29 Susan Clair Fungi Can Help Save the World...... 30 Office Assistants Camille Franchette, Claire Ayraud OP-ED: Defending our Community Bill of Rights Ordinance . 32 Advertising Sales The Great March for Climate Action Comes to New Mexico...... 35 Skip Whitson 505.471.5177 [email protected] Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates’ Statements...... 37 Anna C. Hansen 505.982.0155 ewsbites [email protected] N ...... 14, 33 Julee Clear 505.920.5535 What’s Going On...... 38 [email protected] Lloyd Santiago Covens 505.236.8348 [email protected] Distribution Lisa Allocco, Barbara Brown, Susan Clair, Co-op Dist. Services, Nick García, Andy Otterstrom Las Norteñas: A Prescription for Healing (Creative Couriers), Tony Rapatz, Wuilmer Rivera, Andrew Tafoya, Skip Whitson, John Woodie spañola has an alliance with Taos Pueblo. By “Española,” I mean The Valley, as we refer to it. The Valley includes Circulation: 27,000 copies the Tewa villages, as well as the 18th-century villages of Santa Cruz, Guachupangue, La Mesilla, La Puebla, Printed locally with 100% soy ink on 100% recycled, chlorine-free paper etc.,E that still exist and make up greater Española. Our alliance goes back to a time, not so long ago, when we were Green Fire Times mutually raising the foods of our survival and tenacity. It was a time when the Camino Real was nearing the end of c/o The Sun Companies its 300-year run, and the Santa Fe Trail had not yet begun. And because life is that way, it was a time of great sorrow. PO Box 5588 Santa Fe, NM 87502-5588 By Easter Sunday of 1847, Sterling Price, a Confederate general for the American/Mexican War, had captured, 505.471.5177 • [email protected] killed and begun the executions of hundreds of villagers from Río Arriba. In less than three © 2014 Green Fire Publishing, LLC months, Price offensively derailed the Valley, Mora, Embudo, Taos and Taos Pueblo. The issue Green Fire Times provides useful information was not our loyalty to México; it was the land grab instigated by the likes of Bent, Beaubien for anyone—community members, business people, and Armijo, who had anticipated the demise of México and the plunder that would ensue. students, visitors—interested in discovering the wealth of opportunities and resources available I reflect on those who kept it together during that impossibly difficult time. The women, our in our region. Knowledgeable writers provide great-great-grandmothers, fed the living and buried the dead, as they still do. And I wonder, articles on subjects ranging from green businesses, why isn’t this story widely known? It’s an important story that is ready to be discussed, shared products, services, entrepreneurship, jobs, design, building, energy and investing—to sustainable and put into perspective. agriculture, arts & culture, ecotourism, education, regional food, water, the healing arts, local heroes, – Camilla Trujillo, guest associate editor native perspectives and more. Sun Companies publications seek to provide our readers with informative articles that support a more sustainable planet. To our publisher this means maximizing COVER: Drying washed wheat berries in front of an horno at Ohkay Owingeh personal as well as environmental health by (formerly San Juan Pueblo). Photo by Edward S. Curtis minimizing consumption of meat and alcohol. Early 20th century. Palace of the Governors photo archive GFT is widely distributed throughout north- central New Mexico. Feedback, announcements, Green Fire Times is not to be confused with the Green Fire Report, an in-house quarterly publication of the event listings, advertising and article submissions to be considered for publication are welcome. New Mexico Environmental Law Center. The NMELC can be accessed online at: www.nmelc.org . www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 5 6 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com The Battle at Santa Cruz de la Cañada and the Siege at Taos Pueblo Camilla Trujillo

he following is a true story. It really de la Cañada Parish, brought survival they had little money. Everyday happened. I think it is important to skills as well. Fruit trees, sheep and cattle, items like cloth or metal blades Tretell it now, so that we can understand wheat and the knowledge to bring it full were acquired from the Camino the source of a wounding that occurred circle to yeasted loaves baked in an adobe Real caravans arriving from the in the Española Valley in the 1800s. horno; and above all, the hydrogeologic south or manufactured locally. knowledge to move a seemingly small Independent and resourceful, Part 1 amount of irrigation water, flowing down they did not pay taxes. When In 1789, when Washington was our the Río Santa Cruz, over 5,000 acres of Santana, the new president country’s first president, the Valley, which farmland, much of which is still in use of México, sent Albino Pérez would not become “Española” for another today. The ability to improve water usage as New Mexico’s governor 100 years and was still known as the was a standard for the Spanish Arabs who in 1836, the Santa Cruz Parish of Santa Cruz, was approaching ruled in Spain for 700 years. parishioners, including those its 200th year of European colonization. from San Ildefonso Pueblo, By then, the “European” had given way rejected him, as if they had a to “New Mexican,” and the Valley was A wounding occurred choice, and elected their own experiencing what archaeologist Herbert governor, a Taos “cibolero” Dick deduced was a century of peaceful in the Española Valley by the name of José Angel development and co-existence. At that of the Governors photo archive Photo by Jesse L. Nusbaum, Palace in the 1800s. Gonzales. Pérez was killed in time, we were relatively isolated; Spain Santa Fe while attempting South Tower of Santa Cruz church in 1915. It was built still occupied México, seeking gold and In 1803, Manifest Destiny was popularized by the parish’s last Durango, México-trained priest, to escape New Mexico. His silver. Santa Cruz de la Cañada had by Thomas Jefferson, third president Fr. Juan de Jesús Trujillo. Trujillo was born in Santa death instantly polarized the neither of these. We were, however, rich of the United States. Even though we Cruz and served the parish from 1838 to 1869. He norteños from Río Arriba witnessed the battle at Cañada. in other resources. know that the Spanish Franciscans of and the Río Abajo profiteers, the time had schools throughout the The Tewas were Valley dwellers before many of whom were Americans who the village leaders of the 1836 Rebellion. various missions of Santa Cruz de la the entrance of the Spanish in 1598 and had illegally taken up residence in New Those he could catch were executed on Cañada, the current events of the day were excellent hunters. Their knowledge Mexico, and who traded goods along the spot. With American businessmen were, no doubt, slow in arriving to the of the mountains surrounding Santa Cruz the Santa Fe Trail. It is not clear who supporting him, Armijo focused his Valley, which was still a part of Spain, and was vital to the survival of the Españioles, murdered Pérez. resources on the Santa Fe Trail, which existed, as it still does, on the far reaches who had traveled the 1,600 miles of the of the “carretera” known as the Camino Camino Real to arrive at the northern- Real. By 1820, several events had been put most reaches of New Spain. The Spanish, in motion by the American government. either exiled from Spain or perhaps The 1804 expedition of Lewis and Clark taking advantage of Spain’s recruitment provided a map of the Pacific shore of those willing to stake a claim in the and the location of California Spanish valley that would become Santa Cruz missions. In 1805, Zebulon Pike, working for the U.S. Army, traversed New Mexico in the company of a Spanish military guard. He was guided to Chihuahua, where he spent several weeks in the company

of a cartographer, until he was Santa Cruz de la Cañada parish archives escorted safely back to the Interior of Santa Cruz church in 1925; not much different from 1847 Louisiana border. Pike’s route followed that of the Santa Fe Part 2 Trail, which would open in Querencia: 1. A place in which we know was used for commercial travel between 1820, the same year as the exactly who we are; 2. The place from Missouri, Bent’s Fort, Santa Fe and Parral Mexican independence from which we speak our deepest beliefs; 3. México. In his capacity as governor, Spain and the destabilization In Spain, the place in the bull ring where Armijo was signing off on huge parcels of Spanish currency, mostly the bull regroups before making his final of land that were Spanish/Mexican ejidos. silver and gold. lunge. These communal land grants, used for firewood gathering, cattle grazing and I think about my ancestors The historic record indicates that, from sheep herding, were held by the citizens in Santa Cruz at the time. 1836-1847, Río Arriba was essentially of Río Arriba, and spread as far north as Industriously focused on food ignored by the Mexican government. what is now southern Colorado. These production and the seasonal Their appointed governor, Manuel lands were designated for public, not Soldado de Cuera (Spanish frontier soldier) in cowhide observances of the parish, Armijo, cunningly learned the identities of outfit, ca. 1790 private, use. continued on page 8 www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 7 The Battle continued from page 7 Alhough we don’t hear much about Santa beaver pelts from New Mexico and hard politics, had mustered an Cruz during the decade 1837–1847, we liquor from his friend Stephen Lee’s army of 280 mounted assume that everyone was usually busy distillery, just north of Taos Pueblo. On riflemen, carrying state- with food production. After Armijo a map, Bent’s Fort is located within the of-the-art weapons, killed the Río Arriba governor, José 4-million-acre Cornelio Vigil/St. Vrain which included four Angel Gonzales, in the Santa Cruz Plaza Land Grant, approved by Armijo in 1843. 4-lb. Howitzer cannons in 1836, not much more is heard from This land grant bordered the Maxwell and one “6-pounder,”

him. In 1967, the office of New Mexico Grant—co-owned by Armijo with Bent referring to the weight of © Seth Roffman State Senior Archivist Dr. Myra Ellen and Beaubien—which was next to the the cannon balls. Jenkins noted that during that decade, Sangre de Cristo Land Grant, awarded On Jan. 24, Price defeated the rebel army Mexican Gov. Armijo was busy signing to Stephen Lee. In September, 1846, Bent As people escaped the church, they were at Pojoaque and Santa Cruz, leaving off on illegal land grants that he and his was appointed military governor of New shot. Pablo Montoya, 31, a husband many dead, including Jesús Tafoya. Pablo cronies—Ceran St. Vrain, Charles Bent, Mexico by Kearny, who had arrived in and father, was captured on Feb. 5 and Stephen Lee and Charles Beaubien— Las Vegas with the American Army on The Spanish brought immediately hanged in the Taos Plaza. were lifting from Spanish/Mexican the Feast of the Assumption, one month survival skills and Tomás Romero, a leader from Taos ejidos, community land grants north of earlier. Kearny remained in Santa Fe Pueblo, was captured and shot dead in his Taos. These ejidos, millions of acres, were briefly, en route to take California; Bent hydrogeologic knowledge. jail cell on Feb. 8, by John Fitzgerald. A important stretches of natural prairie that remained in Taos. court made up of Bent’s friends and allies Montoya, who was 19 when he supported were still supporting vast buffalo herds in found the remaining rebel leaders guilty Resisting American occupation, an angry Santa Cruz against Armijo, escaped to 1847. The ciboleros, renowned in Taos, of treason and murder. Beginning on crowd of men from Taos and Santa Cruz Taos. With fresh horses and additional hunted to provide meat and hides for April 9, the first six men found guilty were proceeded to execute Bent. That same Mountain Man militia provided by St. their community, as well as buffalo robes hanged in the Taos Plaza. The remaining cold day, Jan. 19, 1847, Stephen Lee, Vrain, Price traveled to Mora, where that were traded at Bent’s Fort. Original hangings took place throughout the Cornelio Vigil, Narciso Beaubien, Pablo he addressed St. Vrain’s complaints of papers confirming the ejidos during the months of April and May. Jaramillo and attorney J.W. Leal were “belligerent locals.” St. Vrain and Bent had Mexican era were lost by 1842. also executed. The angry crowd continued maintained another business enterprise: Lewis Garrard remained in the area until Part 3 north to Arroyo Hondo, where Simeon providing beef, wheat and fresh horses May, then left for Fort Mann, Ks. Thomas Jefferson, 1793: “Peace with all Turley, of Turley’s mill and distillery, and —all produced in the Mora Valley—to Nations, and the right that gives us with seven workers, were executed and the the American military. Price, descending Garrard was followed by St. Vrain and respect to all Nations, are our object.” mill set afire. upon Mora, leveled homes and destroyed Fitzgerald; he joined a wagon train bound the Catholic church, where local records for the States. Thomas Jefferson, 1803: “Some men look Part 4 were stored. Returning to Taos, Price at Constitutions with sanctimonious “Justice! Out upon the word, when its Following the signing of the Treaty of dropped into Embudo Canyon, where he reverence and deem them like the Ark of distorted meaning is the warrant for Guadalupe Hidalgo in February 1848, routed the resistors, chasing them north the Covenant, too sacred to be touched.” murdering those who defend to the last and the Gadsden Purchase in 1850, New to Taos. On Feb. 3, Price attacked Taos their country and their homes.” Mexico became a territory of the United Charles Bent was a fur trapper in the Pueblo, where the resistors had hidden —Hector Louis Garrard, a 17-year-old States. i Taos area in 1828. Along with his inside the adobe church. Incredibly, Price trapper, who witnessed American retribution Camilla Trujillo is from the Española Valley. brother, William, and friend, Ceran St. positioned the cannons and blasted open upon the Río Arriba resistors in 1847 She is a potter, herb-crafter, and author of the Vrain, they ran one of the largest trading the church. The young trapper, Garrard, It happened fast. Within days, a southern book, Española. She sells Tonitas Best Balms organizations in the West. Located along who was camped near Picurís, reported slave-owner by the name of Sterling at Santa Fe Farmers’ Market. She is working the Santa Fe Trail, Bent’s Fort turned hearing the cannon blasts. on her next book, Before Española: The Price, who had made a career in Missouri over large amounts of goods, including Villages of the Valley.

Suggested Reading

Taos – A Topical History, Santistévan and Moore; page 123: “1847: Revolt or Resistance?” by Alberto Vidaurre

The Maxwell Grant, New Mexico Historical Review, 1955, Professor Harold H. Dunham;

1837 Rebellion of Río Arriba and Taos Rebellion, 1847; both by William H Wroth; newmexicohistory.org

The Taos Massacres by John Durand; Puzzlebox Press, 2004

505–888–2699 • minervacanna.com

8 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 9 Thoughts about an Imposed Grand Silence from Communal Trauma Impacts of the Taos Revolt of 1847 are still felt.

Juanita Lavadie hrough generations since the Taos well as the search for historical truth, has Revolt, it is difficult to comprehend become modified and more intellectual but Tthe terror and trauma inflicted by this remains a major turning point that opened event on families that had long lived on many windows of thought. this land, Hispanic and Native American. Where are the pieces that I would pick up A gnawing silence pervades any family to find some kind of family story about stories about this historic time of violence, the Taos Revolt? My family, who lived revenge, brutal seizures and unrestrained just west of Taos Plaza, with close physical executions in the name of patriotic U.S.A. proximity to all that happened, surely felt retribution. I will not recite any historical the impact. Taos was the center of the data but, rather, only present a voice of revolt. But there were never any personal personal perspective. Over the years, I stories talked out. There were questions have listened to and collected family and stories not appropriate to discuss, and © Seth Roffman stories that have inspired work and any specifics on the Taos Revolt were not personal expression. But, when recently Honoring Song, 2013 Taos Pueblo Pow-wow brought to light. Over time, there are varied asked to write a family perspective on the references about these historical events that way of life was augmented shortly after, covered up many vital testimonies within Taos Revolt, I have confronted silence. clinch my visceral response. as New Mexico became a territory of the the family walls, repressing the internal Perplexed, I try to look at the larger picture. United States of America. As a people, I truth of our community at the hands of I remember hearing about the men from don’t believe we have ever really recovered. the intruding U.S. government officials. Perspectives on cultural Taos Pueblo who were executed along Life was never easy for the inhabitants of Sadly, there are no direct family oral history with other “Mexicans” on the plaza. But, it this region. The English language prevails, accounts for me to reflect on. But, with my history raise questions. was the story of the wives of these Pueblo so that many of our descendants and men who were present at the execution community, my family and friends, we The Chicano movement threw a families do not speak Spanish comfortably that caught my focus. These poor women can ask questions to put official historical big wrench into the tradition of not anymore. were forced to “carry on their backs” the data that does exist into some perspective making waves. Through the movement, dead weight of their husbands’ bodies back Why was there never any story-talk that points to the poison that this bloody I recognized the broader spectrum of those few miles to the pueblo village for about this within my family when there appropriation of New Mexico left behind heritage. Horizons opened up perspectives proper burial. I cannot imagine what it was were many other stories? Modern access in its wake. In doing that, we can add to on cultural history, raising questions. Still, like for these women to be in the hostile to media and communications allows the healing process that has been long it was clear that many Taoseño elders environment of the Taos Plaza, to witness us to be aware of current genocides and overdue. i were initially offended by the grito “¡Qué the public execution of their husbands violent land and culture takeovers. We can Viva La Raza!” “Chicano” was disdained, conducted by the brutal and alien presence view and speak out to the powers that be equated with ignorance and poverty. There of the U.S. Military, and to then be forced without the threat of death, torture, or the was vergüenza, or imposed shame, to to carry in a morbid procession the execution of loved ones. I believe the shock confront. That was where I first noticed the physical dead weight of their loved ones from the swift violence and the killings of perspectives of “proper” history that created all the way back to their community. Why many members of our communities left separation. Whether it was created by pride didn’t anyone come forward to help these communities in fear and with a helpless of family traditions or of distinct Norteño women? Clearly, this was a message of sense of separation away from public identification, there was a scar that marked intimidation sent to locals, men, women civility with the realities of the prevalent a clear separation of what could be shared and families, by the powers that be. The brutal scourge. In the aftermath, all that and what could not. Today, the early, ardent magnitude of the search and seizures was left was to pick up the pieces and passion of the Chicano movement, as conducted under the continue on for the safety of the family command of Col. Sterling and the future of the children. Price was horrific. I was Non-action, which may seem now as shocked to learn of the insensitive, without compassion, was number of male members part of survival that inevitably led to the of isolated family villages hard silence and the schisms within our executed by the U.S. community history that we have not Military, as sanctioned been able to heal. It was not safe to act or Juanita Jaramillo Lavadie, of Taos, New by their kangaroo courts speak out and draw attention to oneself. Mexico, is an artist (weaver, intaglio graphics, and painting), writer, classroom teacher of set up immediately after The concept of vergüenza was a motive the Taos Revolt and children (Taos Pueblo, Albuquerque near of survival during violent times. Our the South Valley, Taos County private school, subsequent battles. ancestors invested into this community charter and public schools). She is a member The breakdown of the and did what they needed to do to survive of the Taos Valley Acequia Association and the New Mexico Acequia Association, Aztec © Seth Roffman and also to keep the families in safety. fragile integrity of our Danzante and an avid outdoor enthusiast. 2013 Fiesta, Taos Plaza families and communal But this withdrawal into a safer shell also

10 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com Women Start the Healing Process in Response to Historic Violence Don Bustos

he recent news of the U.S. Bureau well as for drinking. She was a widow who of Land Management (BLM) married three times and outlived all her Tkicking ranchers and cattle off federally husbands. My grandmother, Genara, lived managed public land in Nevada stirred an in Santa Cruz. Her home is still being emotional chord in me because of New used. I remember staying nights there Mexico’s history. The ranchers contend under the pretext that she needed me to that their water and livestock rights were chop wood. I was really there because I recognized by the state long before the enjoyed how she treated me. She would federal government took over the land’s wake up early, make a fire in the kitchen management. Though I don’t agree with stove to warm the house, make fresh most of the ranchers’ claims, I started to tortillas, potatoes, and then wake me up Santa Cruz de la Cañada parish archives think about why there is such distrust and fry eggs. My mom, Trinidad, worked An acequia flows in front of Santa Cruz church in 1919. Don Bustos’ grandmother Genara’s house is just out of sight to the north. between traditional, land-based people as a young child to earn enough to pay the and the U.S. government. taxes on the land I now farm. She was the I recall the story of a poor man who power says, “No, it’s my cow now.” This first person to graduate from McCurdy Growing up, I was told that our land had a cow stolen from him. The man is the sort of story that makes me realize High School in Española. She farmed the and freedom were taken away by several meets the person who stole the cow how, in relation to our environment land while my dad worked. different governments. First, we escaped on the street, a person of influence and and history, we can sometimes start to Spanish rule in the pursuit of religious The women in our family have had a authority. The poor man confronts the generalize our view of the dominant freedom, settling in northern New Mexico; large influence and have played a major thief and says, “You stole my cow.” The culture, rather than focus on a direct and then, there was the rebellion against the role in our family’s survival. I often person of power says, “Yes, I did. Can recognized perceived enemy. i you forgive me?” The poor man thinks oppressive Mexican government; and, think about how, after the capture of Don Bustos, a member of the Santa Cruz De later on, the U.S. government promoted Santa Cruz by the Americans and the about the Creator and says to himself, La Cañada Land Grant, owns Santa Cruz Manifest Destiny, invading New Mexico violence and massacre of the men and “If the Creator forgives, so shall I.” So he Farm, near Española. Bustos is co-director of and killing our ancestors. That was less young boys, the women were left with forgives the person and then asks, “May the American Friends Service Committee- New Mexico. than four generations ago. the responsibility of farming the land I have my cow back?” The person of and how they started the healing process, Women were left with protecting the next generation of men. I have clear memories of grandma and the responsibility of mom being very protective, of their farming the land. sayings, of how their body language conveyed that I should be respectful of I grew up in northern New Mexico, in the dominant culture, or how to speak, or, Santa Cruz de la Cañada, which has a in most cases, not to speak. As I recently long and rich history. On my father’s viewed the old film Salt of the Earth, I side of our family, the Bustoses, our started to understand how women all land was settled by a widow with four over the world have protected the future children, one of the first women given for all of us. land as part of the Santa Cruz De La Cañada Land Grant. Two of her sons So, while I’m not endorsing the ranchers later moved on to the area of Las Vegas, in Nevada, I can’t help thinking that New Mexico. We can only imagine the there is some commonality between the challenges she faced and how strong she situation there and the history of New must have been to travel and settle in such Mexico, in that the U.S. government has an unforgiving environment. Our family historically overstepped its control of our survived because of her strength and belief destiny to be free, making decisions that in freedom. I remember my Grandma affect our daily lives, and has often turned Bustos as being well educated and kind. to violence as a remedy. She made the best apple pie ever; visiting I think what happens is that the violence was always a treat. is not the end; it is actually the beginning On my mom’s side, the Valdezes, I got to of generations of resentment that gets know my great-grandma, Altagracia. She carried to the larger population. And, lived on the land where I now farm in El then, when there is no process of healing, Llano. She had a traditional two-room in the context of “us against them,” the adobe house with vigas, latillas and cloth “them” is never defined, so there is a ceilings, as well as a wood stove. Water moving target as to who is responsible for from the acequia ran 12 months because these acts, and it is a challenge to come to it was needed to water the livestock, as peace with all of this. www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 11 Being of Tewa Women Ancestry Kathy Wanpovi Sanchez

eing of Tewa ancestry in these times is coming.” What put the fear of a in the name of corporations, businesses bears tremendous testimony to the violent man in her life? I do remember and money to be had. What has been Blove of all our relations. Being kind- my great-great-grandmother telling happening and is happening now hearted women, compassionate sisters, us children about the coming of the in U.S. politics is the resurfacing of supportive aunties, patient (oh so patient) first white people: “They were cruel, the boogieman. He has made a dirty wives, caring mothers, tired but generous they killed our relatives, destroyed business of killing us off slowly, with and loving grandmothers—all within an their pueblos and communal nations, impunity, and taught us well to lust for Indigenous beingness—bears testimony without sparing women or children.” what money can buy. He has numbed to Mother Earth’s love for us all. us, so our representation will disappear. Healing generational My passion in life is to create new We will not make our children fear pathways to reach and reenergize trauma by living us. We will not allow the silencing of the hearts of women running on women to happen again. We will not frustration, women who are sick and traditional values allow our children to become subjects/ tired of seeing our people trying to be So, as young as we were, we were taught objects to be consumed by boogiemen tribal in the boogieman’s shoes. fear—to fear the senseless brutality on the hill. Use of fear, intimidation of those who want your lands, your and shaming will no longer be allowed. What do native lullabies have in water, your women, and will destroy Healing generational trauma by living common with the boogieman? News your offspring and sicken your people. the traditional values of loving, caring travels by word of mouth, as it did “Go to sleep, my loved ones. Dream and nurturing for better lifeways and thousands upon thousands—and even of laughter and Mama’s soothing true sustainability of all relations will as recently as hundreds—of years voice. Shhhh…” Many of our new flourish in our valleys again. i ago. My great-grandmother was born Santa Clara Pueblo dancer at Puyé Cliffs acquaintances do not know, even our around 1885. Does that seem so long Kathy Wanpovi younger generational relatives do not ago? At that time, it was the wild, wild how wonderful to return to a loving Sanchez, of San know about the bloody killings of Ildefonso Pueblo, West, thanks to the U.S. government way of soothing and conveying love innocent children, elders and women. co-founded and its cavalry. We faced a government to a yet-to-be-born, to a newborn, to This seems so unthinkable, but it was Tewa Women with a mission to acquire ancestral the young toddlers, as we call them, done and never acknowledged or United. www. lands by killing the Indians or killing “breath of our hearts.” What a surprise tewawomenunited. brought to criminal courts. the Indian in us. for me to remember a lullaby that org

goes somewhat like, “Go to sleep, my What is happening today has the same (2) Roffman Seth © So, being in recovery of exponential little one. Go to sleep. The boogieman smell of greed, hatred and racism—all harm from historical trauma, I thought,

Please Advertise Support our work for a more sustainable world. Call Skip Whitson at 505.471.5177 or Anna Hansen at 505.982.0155

12 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 13 La Querencia: Agriculture, Culture, and the Creation of Meaning in Northern New Mexico Maclovia Quintana © Seth Roffman “Sharing Our Food, Honoring Corn Mothers” Gathering and Seed Exchange – Chamita, NM. March 2014 eople have been farming in northern understanding what motivates practicing place and love of the land that is produced hope for the future. The fate of small-scale New Mexico for generations running farmers, with the hope that this would through agricultural practice. Querencia agriculture seems tenuous everywhere, intoP centuries, my own family among illuminate new pathways for bringing informs a situated identity for many and in particular in New Mexico. The them. When I first came to Yale in 2007, I more people into agriculture. people in northern New Mexico, even growing season is becoming shorter and did not expect that I would eventually end those whose livelihoods are no longer drier as the reality of climate change In northern New Mexico, agriculture up studying the very place I came from. particularly rural. becomes undeniable. We are losing old is culture. Farming has been practiced But this is the nature of New Mexico— farmers faster than we can replace them continuously here for so long because it Querencia roots us to a particular place, you may leave, but it never leaves you. with young ones. Maintaining optimism is a self-constitutive process: people derive to the physical and cultural landscape of Now, as a Master’s student at the Yale can be daunting. And yet if you take a meaning from agriculture and in turn rural northern New Mexico. Northern School of Forestry and Environmental moment to sit on the banks of the acequia imbue it with meaning, and are therefore New Mexicans feel a strong sense of Studies, I have focused my research on on a summer evening, to look over your motivated to continue farming. This place, a connection to the landscape that is small-scale agriculture in northern New rows of garlic, the chile ripening from meaning is best understood through the largely rooted in the historical continuity Mexico, on the way that it has changed green to red, you can feel how deeply concept of querencia. Querencia, a Spanish of agricultural practice here. Author Keith over time, but most importantly on the rooted agriculture is in the landscape— word, means literally “beloved place.” Basso describes sense of place as “the idea way that we have so consistently turned and how deeply we are rooted because of In northern New Mexico, querencia of home… of entire regions and local to farming to inform our own identities. that. Any farmer will tell you how difficult particularly invokes the connection to landscapes where groups… have invested Most of my research has focused on better the work of farming is, and yet they keep themselves… and to which they feel they doing it. It is a labor of love in the truest belong.” In northern New Mexico, we Along the Path of Learning sense, born of a love of place, a love of have invested ourselves in the landscape Camilla Trujillo tradition, and an enduring commitment through agriculture; we belong to this As a kid I would accompany my Grandma Tonita outdoors, where she’d point to to preserve both. i this “yerba” or that one and say, “Traime eso.” I would carefully pull a few leaves place that quite literally sustains us—both and flowers from the plant and reverently deliver them to her. She would tuck them physically and culturally. To think of it into her apron. Inside, we would place the various herbs into boiling water and Not as the weeding But as the harvest cook them into a tea. From tummy aches to hangovers, Grandma had a “remedio” Querencia situates someone in place This is what we’re here for. that she could find in the garden. I grew up knowing that her remedies had as much and in time. It is memory experienced curing power as anything, and I raised my own child with that belief. I am driven through the landscape. Modern farmers To distraction By hoping. Along the path of learning about our local herbs, I’ve noticed a few things. One is in northern New Mexico are connected that faith plays a large part in our healing process, not only for the one receiving not only to the land that they use, but also I am trying to remember treatment but also for the one offering it. Another is that the herbs themselves have to the history of land use in the region. That fear is not productive. a spirit, and the wild ones will show up in your yard in anticipation of your need for They take pride in actively continuing that Weeding is productive, them. A third thing I’ve learned is that it is easier to effect a successful recovery if tradition. Querencia informs not only But not when done with dread. you know the cause of the illness; it’s easier to be cured if you know what bit you. Happiness is identity, but also a practical land ethic. Managing expectations Translating hope into action This situated love of the land, a product Action into meditation of a long history of continuous land use, Flipping the coin More Young and Hispanic Farmers in NM To find the side that isn’t rusted. A new US Department of Agriculture survey shows a significant increase in the creates the basis for appropriate land management. Anticipate the best number of young and minority farmers in New Mexico over the past five years, as That the bindweed will turn well as more farms and ranches. The average age of the principal farm operator to carrots in your hands in the state is 60.5. However, the number of farmers and ranchers under age 34 Querencia can be produced through That your hope will turn other land-based activities, but it is most Concretely jumped from 818 to 1,200. To joy. directly manifested in agriculture. There There are more than 24,700 farms and ranches in the state, according to the 2012 has been a continuous farming practice agriculture census. That’s an 18 percent increase since 2007, which is contrary to Maclovia Quintana will receive her Masters the national trend. The census found that farmland in New Mexico has remained for hundreds of years in northern New of Environmental Science degree from the Yale at about 43.2 million acres. The number of minority-operated farms also rose over Mexico. Many current farmers are using School of Forestry and Environmental Studies the past five years, especially in the Hispanic community. Hispanic-operated farms land that has been in their families for this month. Her research were tallied at 9,300, up from 6,400. generations. They plow the same fields focuses on small-scale agriculture in northern The USDA defines a farm as any place that produced or sold at least $1,000 worth their great-grandparents did, and irrigate New Mexico, where she of agricultural products during the census year. Nurseries and greenhouses are from the same acequias. Their connection was born and raised. also classified as farms. Agricultural products in New Mexico rose to $2.6 billion to the land is based in a living tradition. Quintana received her in 2012, a 17 percent jump. Livestock, poultry and their products accounted for Bachelor’s degree in 76 percent of the state total. In northern New Mexico, our sense of Environmental Studies querencia ties us to the past and gives us from Yale University.

14 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com Women in Agriculture in the Española Valley ¡Qué Vivan Mujeres!

Sayrah Namaste ost New Mexicans know the legend of San Isidro the Laborer Mand Santa María de la Cabeza, peasant farm workers in Spain who were devout Catholics and had the assistance of an angel in the fields. We celebrate the holy couple every May with the blessing of the acequias on the feast day of San Isidro. During times of drought in Spain, Santa María’s skull was carried in processions to pray for rain, so she became known as Santa María de la Cabeza.

Although many people picture a man when we use the word “farmer,” women are the world’s primary food producers. Santa María y San Isidro, Rancho de las Golandrinas “Northern New Mexico Although the food hub that Camilla was its own describes was dismantled, small- food hub scale farmers are slowly rebuilding it in the 19th with support from the community. century, ¡Sostenga!, the Center for Sustainability producing Studies at Northern New Mexico meat, wheat, College in Española, is a partner to corn, chile, her co-op and a site for aggregation, beans and offering cold storage and a commercial alfalfa for kitchen. Dr. Patricia Trujillo at NNMC our livestock. helps put on the annual Garlic Festival That was our at ¡Sostenga!, a cultural and community strength,” says celebration of farming in early July. farmer Camilla Trujillo. “But, over AFSC has a farmer-training program time, especially when Los Alamos labs at the college with ¡Sostenga! so the were built, that was taken away from of farmers, farm trainees, and apprentices us, and we were offered jobs at the labs. in the program also support Camilla’s But now we are trying to come back.” co-op.

Trujillo farms in the Española Valley, This method of community members carrying on the centuries-old traditions collaborating to feed the community is of her family to grow healthful food part of the long history of the Española and healing herbs. She is also part of Valley and is key to rebuilding the food La Cosecha del Norte: A Growing Co- hub. i op, the farmer co-operative founded in 2013 with nine other family farms in the Española Valley, with support from the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC). La Cosecha del Norte Co-op grows organic vegetables and herbs year round in passive solar coldframes. The co-op sells to local grocers such as the Española Community Market, Los Alamos Co-op, La-Montañita Co-op in Santa Fe, Cid’s in Taos, and the Española Public Schools. The farmers also sell to the local growers’ markets Sayrah Namaste is co-director of AFSC-NM in Española, Pojoaque and Santa Fe. www.afsc.org/office/albuquerque-nm www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 15 16 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com Memory Doors Patricia Trujillo

ach morning, I have the privilege Daily, I let in my ancestors and the flood has impressed upon me is the need for of opening the door in my kitchen of memories they bring with them: my Nuevomexicanas and Nuevomexicanos Eto look out onto the juniper-covered Gramita Marina serving me, my siblings to share their own stories. We can do hills and mesitas that my mother, and my primos thick slices of cheddar this in so many ways: orally or in the grandmother, great-grandmother, and cheese with Karo syrup as a secret late- written form, online or in a book, in a great-great grandmother looked upon in night snack; my Grandma Lola frying public forum or just with our children El Guache, New Mexico. I take my cup of up her million-dollar hamburgers and and friends. Telling our stories matters. coffee to the door and begin every day by hand-cut potatoes; my Tío Frank taking As an educator who teaches about monitoring the slight changes. Recently, out the bucket of food slop for the pigs northern New Mexico history and I’ve seen an apricot tree take bright pink to eat. My entire family gathered around culture, I try to emphasize to my students bloom, and then unfortunately, frost, the kitchen table, at times laughing with the importance of sharing our family and scatter the not-to-be fruit like burnt joy of hearing the stories de antes, or other

stories. We all live in a moment where we (2) Roffman Seth © popcorn on the ground. In the last couple times, during serious decision-making. are supersaturated with information, and of weeks, leaves began their green push This is a space of Spanish and English. we receive stories from multiple media garden, hanging laundry, and laughing into life. Birds come and go from this There were years’ worth of birthday outlets: television, movies, Facebook, through their daily chores. Or I can look place, and their songs are the soundtrack cakes—messy and home-baked—served websites, Instagram, Twitter, and so on. out the door and see my dad, a little to the land from which I spring. here. There were immense moments I’m a fan of all of the aforementioned, grumpy with me, cutting another board of loss contemplated in this kitchen. but I often reflect on the fact that one of because I didn’t measure twice, so he’d The world starts at the There were children, including my own the privileges I was raised with was family only have to cut once. What I gain from mother, born here. There were holiday kitchen table.– Joy Harjo stories, which, for me, has translated into those stories is the knowingness that I celebrations with hands plunged deep During the last three years, I’ve been rootedness. Narratives—the persistent come from hard-working, humble, and in masa for bread and pots of beans and renovating my Grandma Lola’s house. stories we use to chronicle our senses amazingly intelligent people who worked posole brewing a comforting aroma into My family and friends, whom I gratefully of family, culture and history—are the collectively to get the day-to-day of life the air, and there were ordinary days acknowledge, have helped me design, earliest ways that we shape how our young done. I understand my connection to the with buckets of fried chicken and instant demo, and re-create the entire home. people will live life and make healthy land and my sense of belonging. I know of mashed potatoes. I can open the door and It has been a grueling process that is choices. If we depend on only external resilience and persistence. Hopefully, we still see my dad at his saw, cutting wood ongoing, like after the death of my father outlets for our stories, we know that they all have at least one such door in our own for a banco or making trimming for my in the first year of the project, when I can often be framed incorrectly or in the lives, and, if not, we find one. I invite you closet door. wanted to just throw my hands up in negative. There is a tangible pain that to open it for yourself and let the stories defeat and grief. The process of restoring After about 10 years of living elsewhere comes from loss of story. As Rudolfo in, like our familia, for whom the door home and familia always brought me —Nebraska, Texas and Colorado —this Anaya writes, “Art and literature reflect is always open and for whom we always back. What I realized is that part of this kitchen always remained the anchor the cultural group, and not just the surface exclaim, “¡Entre, entre!” process of restoration has been the mental to my sense of place, my querencia, the reality, but that substratum of thought Patricia cataloguing of my memories, a literal place where I feel most like myself. I left which is group memory.” Caring for our Trujillo, Ph.D., “re-story-ing” of the house. And many to pursue graduate school and a career stories is caring for our collective memory is assistant memories emerge from the kitchen and in the professoriate, and, in those travels, as Nuevomexicanos. professor of this door because, as Muskogee poet Joy my scholarship and work would always English and I started this essay the way I start each Chicana/o Harjo reflects, “The world starts at the bring me back to New Mexico and day, looking out my Grandma’s kitchen Studies and kitchen table.” our stories. As a student and now as a door. Because of stories shared with me director of equity research scholar, stories and storytelling in and diversity at The act of opening this door each morning and from my own experience, I can look northern New Mexico remain at the core Northern New has become a ritual for me since I moved out the kitchen door and imagine my of my writing and research pursuits. But, Mexico College in Española. patriciatrujillo@ into my home last year around this time. gramita and tía hoeing in the kitchen more significantly, what my own work nnmc.edu

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 17 Oremos, Oremos: The Fruitful Life of Isabel Salazar, an Amazing Cook Camilla Trujillo Oremos, oremos de los cielos, venemos. We pray, we pray. dry, or you can use a dehydrator. Si no nos den Oremos. From the heavens, we come. Mother would take the special Puertas y ventanas que braremos! Doors and windows will not stop us! jerky out of the flour sack, where it was kept, and roast it in the oven. ere in Lyden, we had Oremos,” says Isabel Salazar. “Daddy would make two We would eat the succulent pieces, luminarias with peach wood. He said they were for bringing the Holy Spirit. along with other special foods, at When“H it got dark on Christmas Eve, he would light them, and we kids would go outside Christmastime. All foods have their

and hold hands around the fire. We would jump around while he would pray for the time. We don’t cook these foods © Beth Ann Sánchez Ánimas, the dearly departed. And while Dad would go on and on and on, we kids were every day. jumpy because we knew the Oremos were coming. “After the Oremos would leave, we could taste the special hot chocolate called “After the prayer, we would go inside, and Daddy and Mother would wait for the local champurrado. To make champurrado, combine one gallon of water with two cinnamon men and those from the pueblo, who would come to the house dressed in capes and sticks; boil for 10 minutes. Combine one-half cup of sugar with 6 Tbsp of flour and 1 Tbsp of masks made of cowhide, like the Abuelo from Matachines. As the Oremos chanted, cocoa powder; mix into one can of evaporated milk; add to the boiling water. Simmer for five they would use their chicotes (whips) to beat the outer walls and windows of the house, minutes. For a thicker, richer champurrado, add a little more flour and cocoa powder. hard and loud! We kids would go hide, until they found us and made us pray.” “A very special event was called Velorio de los Santos. The santos from the morada and Isabel Sánchez Salazar was born and raised in Lyden, from as far away as the Santuario in Chimayó would be sent to the sponsoring family, New Mexico. She is of a special generation, fortunate to who would place the santos on a special, temporary altar in their home. For two days witness the kind of everyday life throughout the Santa and nights, there would be continual prayer for special favors. One year, I remember Cruz de la Cañada Parish in which spiritual messengers praying for the safe return of one of the neighbors’ sons from the war. People would and heavenly saints marked special and urgent occasions. come by throughout the day to assist in the prayer. At night, the Hermanos would arrive with their faroles—their lanterns—and pray the rosary. To prepare, the family “For Christmas, Mother would make enchiladas, but would cook for three days before the Velorio.” not the kind we eat nowadays. Enchiladas, in this case, refers to jerky, also known as carne seca or cesinas, made Isabel has retained many of the traditional foods of her village childhood. Her secret chile from strips of fresh pork, not beef, dipped in a chile ingredient: the “hearts” of the red chile pod, which she and her husband Reyes remove, Isabel Sánchez Salazar caribe mixture. The strips of carne adobada are hung to ideally, when the pods are fresh. “Place the fresh chile hearts in a clean zip-lock and freeze.”

A special Velorio food is called gallos (roosters). “Brown one Tbsp of flour in lard. Add a few chile hearts, depending on how hot you like it. Fry for five minutes. Add water and salt to make a broth, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the hearts and prepare the atole: Mix 5 Tbsp of blue corn atole flour to one-half cup of water. Add to four cups of simmering water. Stir until cooked down to a thick state. Salt to taste. Serve one ladleful of beans onto the plate. Add a scoop of atole, and top with the gallos.”

Salazar Catering has fed up to 200 people at a time. Isabel has taught herself some valuable shortcuts. One of those is pre-browned flour, used to make sauces and broths: “Lightly brown 10 Tbsp of flour in one-half cup of lard. Cool. Keep in a Ball jar in the refrigerator. Use as needed.”

Isabel was recently asked to cater a funeral that took place during Lent. “I knew they wanted a meat-free meal, so I cooked a fresh pot of beans with chicos. The family had already been through a lot, so we wanted to treat them special. One of the foods enjoyed during Lent is rueditas (little wheels). Slice the extra squash of summer, one-half-inch wide. Dehydrate and store in glass jars until the following spring. Soak two cups of dried squash in water. Drain and chop. Fry with corn. Add salt and powdered chile to taste.”

Salazar Catering believes in treating its customers to a heartfelt experience, including those who come to Isabel to learn. “I had these two girls, and they wanted to make empanadas with meat, so we made 300. One of their husbands brought the turkey deep-fryer. It took us two days.”

An extra special treat is Isabel’s Red Gourmet Chile with Tomatoes. “Remove the stem from fresh, red, whole chile pods. Boil the pods for 10 minutes. Freeze in packs of 10. Brown 4 Tbsp of flour, or use pre-browned flour, in some fat. Add one quart of chopped tomatoes with juice to the flour. Add a quart of water, one package of the frozen chile, garlic and salt. Eat the chile by hand, and suck out the juicy insides.

“We have our traditions here in Lyden, and I try to teach my kids those traditions, so they can live by them,” Isabel says.

A closing tip from Isabel and Salazar Catering: “Don’t mix your chiles!” i

18 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 19 20 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 21 22 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com Healthy Children Make Happy, Healthy Communities Anna Marie García

“At the moment the bow of the large artists, storytellers, writers, poets, vulnerable age Spanish vessel touched the distant shores vaqueros, musicians, cooks, ranchers group: birth to age of the New World, the passengers were and, of course, farmers. The farmers of three. ignorant of the impact their immigration the Española Valley are well known Most of the latest would have on the generations to come. throughout the state and even the research has Those passengers included my ancestors, nation. Who hasn’t heard of Chimayó focused on the first hailing from the shores of Seville. Among chile? Springtime in the Valley is © Anna Marie García three years of life, their many impacts is my own steadfast when the people gather and talk about starting in utero. dream to travel, to experience living cleaning the acequias and preparing We know that babies are born to learn. with other cultures and to continue to the soil to plant our gardens. Ours education, we can start making a We also know that what happens to learn every day.” is a culture rich in spirit, generosity difference in our Valley. —Noah García, my son, expressing children early in life has long-lasting and passion, with deep-rooted family the three key things at the heart of influence on how they develop and By building on the assets of the people traditions and values. our family’s passion for living learn. Many studies have confirmed in the Española Valley; by teaching our the fact that nurturing, talking to and children to farm; by talking and singing rowing up in a small farming Building on the assets playing with your baby are the best to our kids in English, Spanish or community along the Río Grande ways to help her learn and develop. By Tewa; by teaching our children the arts underG the sacred Black Mesa, I learned of the people in the enriching our children’s environment and crafts of the Valley; by cooking and from an early age how to love life. We Española Valley with positive interactions, which help baking with our children; by laughing shared in tending an ample vegetable build positive relationships with loving and sharing dichos with them; by garden and fruit orchard and raised Challenges come with this rich people, not electronic screens, we are dancing together and having fun; and our own meat. My childhood was rich: diversity. Poverty, achievement gaps, investing in our children. This is an by learning about positive discipline we ate healthy, good food and played negative politics and bad publicity have investment with solid returns. and guidance, we can be successful in outdoors. My parents shared stories all made living in the Valley difficult raising happy, healthy children who are from their childhood, and we were all Brain research confirms the negative at times. With high heroin use in the proud and can do anything they choose encouraged to be lifelong learners. It impact of “toxic stress” on young area, the Valley has the notoriety of to do with their lives. i was an idyllic childhood, not unlike children. This type of frequent or having the highest per-capita rate of Anna Marie García lives in La Mesilla, those of my neighbors and friends. continual stress on little ones, who drug fatalities in the country. New Mexico, on ancestral land. Her three lack adequate protection and support I feel fortunate that I was raised in the sons are all in college. García has a B.A. in I chose to work here as an early- from adults, is strongly associated elementary education/ Española Valley. It is a place with much childhood specialist. I have seen the with increased risk of lifelong health special education and an strength. It is diverse in geography, changes that have swept across the and social problems. By working M.A. in early-childhood language, culture and race. Nestled in landscape of the early-childhood- with families and teaching them the special education. She is a valley between two mountain ranges currently working on development field over the past 10 to importance of supportive primary- along the beautiful Río Grande, the her doctorate in early- 15 years. Educational accountability caregiving relationships, and by Valley contains Indian pueblos, a Sikh childhood education. She and quality, the increasing complexity sharing information about growth and works for the LANL community, business entrepreneurs of families, a quick-moving technology development, we help families enjoy Foundation, supporting who moved here from other parts of field, and the most recent brain research their children, thus keeping children the First Born Home Visiting program the country, Mexican immigrants, on achievement gaps motivate me healthy and safe. Talking to and reading throughout the state. and the Spanish, whose families, like to work in my community. I educate with your children will help instill mine, have been here for over 400 families with children from the most a love of lifelong learning. Through years. The Valley is filled with skilled

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 23 A Tribute to a Living Legend Roger Montoya

y mother and friend, Dorotea Montoya, widely known to Mcommunity members from the Española Valley as “Dottie,” is recognized by many people of northern New Mexico as a woman of great wisdom, strength and resilience.

Dottie was born in 1933 in a small adobe house in the mountain village of Picurís Pueblo near Peñasco. She was born to Demetria and Maximiliano Roybal. Demetria, a remarkable community of this in the 1980s, when few were willing to leader herself, would instill in my mother address the unmet health needs of children the deep commitment to community that across America. With common sense, would be the driving force of her life’s and “an act-now, answer-questions-later” work. One of 13 children, Dottie and my approach, she responded to the students’ father, José Amado Montoya, would raise immediate needs, creating a lasting legacy in their own family of six children, of which public health for New Mexico and beyond. I am the youngest. Today, Española Valley High School has an average of two pregnancies per year and leads Over the course of her 80 years, my mother’s our state in comprehensive health services life reads like a novel of a beloved matriarch for youth. and healer, treasured community organizer and advocate for youth and families, with a Dottie has received countless awards sensitive but forceful nature. She spoke only including the prestigious Margaret Sanger Spanish until high school and never traveled Award from the Reagan administration farther than the Española Valley until she in 1986. She was featured in the Oprah was 18 years old. She became a nurse in Winfrey magazine in 1998 for her 1950, and, after her children were raised, courage as a breast-cancer survivor and returned to school in the 1970s in Denver, was honored as a legendary nurse by the Colo., to receive her Nurse Practitioner’s state of New Mexico in 2004. degree. In the late 1970s, she and my father My own life’s work over the last 25 years, returned to New Mexico, making a home providing arts and cultural educational in Velarde. She was soon hired to serve as opportunities for young people, has been the school nurse—a role she reinvented—at inspired by my mother’s approach and her Española Valley High School, where she devotion to community. I do my best to developed a courageous model for school- follow her example, to move through the based wellness centers. Her immediate task world with a sensitive urgency to advocate was to deal with an alarming rate of teen for a future in the Valley, where young pregnancies, which averaged 75 to 80 per people will understand who they are and year at the school. Through her wellness what they can become. center, she provided a safe and nurturing environment for counseling that included Dottie and I have co-created a school-based abstinence training, sex education and wellness center as an integral part of La comprehensive family-planning services; Tierra Montessori School for the Arts and treatment for teens with sexually transmitted Sciences Charter School that I co-founded diseases (STDs); HIV/AIDS education; in 2012. At 80 years young, Dottie continues and a myriad of psychological, social and to work part-time with Tewa Women emotional-health modalities. Dottie did all United and the Río Arriba County Health Department. She volunteers weekly at La Tierra and provides support and wisdom to her large family and community.

I have been blessed in this life with a model of the sacred mother, the giver of life, who inspires me to dedicate myself to the health of my community, to support and honor the ancient cultures, and to encourage and empower the children of our community. Roger Montoya is an artist and community organizer living in northern New Mexico.

24 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 25 Smoke and Mirrors: Theater as Healing Art Rosalía Triana

have struggled all my life with the Elizabeth are pushing sliders on the boards Tonight, the setting is kinds of problems that are all too in the light booth, making sure the sound and a hootch in Vietnam. Ifamiliar here in El Norte. But I don’t lights are ready. The sets have been built with These young people want to talk about the problems; I want sweat and love, and the costumes gathered are not college to discuss solutions, although I don’t know from everywhere and made to fit. The audience students in Española; “the” solution. All I know is that I do one is restless, talking and laughing, visiting with they are young soldiers thing well, and it’s a useful thing. It has each other. Then the house lights go down, the in another time, wet, helped me heal and changed my life for audience hushes, and the magic begins… hot, stifling. They are the better. So I want to share it with my alternately macho and I have often said that theater saved my life. community. That’s why we have created frightened, bragging I first saw a play in a “real” theater with a Española’s MainStreet Theatre, as a tool or confessing. They group of other kids from the projects in for bringing community together, for take us with them to DUSTOFF Cast (back row l-r): Miguel Martínez, Colby Wyasket, Cleveland; we were being given a glimpse Matthew Palmer, Gina Trujillo, Robert Tomlinson; Front: Sonya sharing stories and developing skills, for that other time and of “culture,” a chance to see how people Gonzales, Enrique Martínez, José Elias Griego, Angélica López finding ways to heal, and most of all, for place. who lived in real houses behaved. It didn’t having fun. matter; when that curtain opened, my life The author of that play is a Native Sonya, transformed into Malinche, It’s opening night. The actors are backstage, completely changed. Most of the kids I American playwright, a veteran of the offering incense, magically burning in her Angélica is finishing her makeup, José Elías knew then did not live to be adults, but Vietnam War. On opening night, after bare hands. Suddenly, the lights shift and is pacing, the props are set, and Adam and I had theater. seeing young people who had not even Mikey becomes the mighty Moctezuma been born during that war rehearse his in all his glory, visible behind the scrim, story for months, sharing his experiences a solid wall just a moment ago. He lifts with them, creating that world, the his majestic feathered headdress and writer/survivor finds his life has changed, bestows his blessing upon her, La Madre too. After the show, the actors, visibly de La Raza. shaken and moved, hug each other and When I was living in New York City, become family. They have experienced I discovered that there was something both war and healing. called Latino Theater. Why didn’t I know that already? Smoke and mirrors. So I got When that curtain a master’s degree in Teatro Chicana/o at opened, my life the University of New Mexico. In the process of discovering my own culture completely changed. and our history, while reading the great My love of theater is intertwined with my writers of Chicana/o literature, I wrote belief that communication, the need to a play called Malcriada, the story of my understand and to be understood, is the own dark secret. Young women who saw central element in human existence, the it came to me and cried. And, within my thing that makes us human. For many heart, a wound I had carried for over 30 years, working in theater-arts programs years opened and drained and healed. I in barrios, in inner-city areas and in small was liberated. I could come home at last rural towns, I saw firsthand the power of to El Norte, my ancestral home, ready to theater in the lives of young people. The hear and learn and tell the stories of our students were the disenfranchised, the amazing people, to share the strength left-out, often extremely bright and just that our abuelas/os carry within them, to as often perceived as illiterate, sometimes uncover the true history of this magical in two languages. They told me stories, place—and, perhaps, to find some which I typed and gave back to them. healing within our community. By seeing their words translated into The lights go down again. We are on the writing, they learned to read. Then, when stage again, this time as ourselves and our these stories became plays performed people, telling our stories. The audience is by the students who had written them, us, and we are the audience. i their sense of self-esteem blossomed; they experienced the accomplishment New Mexico-born Rosalía Triana co-directs of seeing a project through and being (with Wendy Hassemer) Española’s MainStreet Gina Trujillo is a writer and comic-book artist who was born and raised in recognized by an audience for that work. Theatre. She has a the Española Valley. She is co-creator, with Sonya Gonzales, of BobbleKitty. master’s degree in com, a comic-book website. Trujillo and Gonzales are helping establish And I learned from them the power of Teatro Chicana/o MainStreet Theatre. storytelling as literacy. Studies and has worked extensively Española’s Mainstreet Theatre (500 Paseo de Oñate) is offering a variety of classes this Tonight, the setting is a magnificent in both stage and summer, including Creating Theater from the History of Española, Creative Drama Aztec temple, made out of cheesecloth film. (for children), Acting (for tweens and teens), Acting (for adults), Poetry Performance, and painted flats. In front of it stands Comic Book Production and more. 505.753.0877, espanolasmainstreettheatre.com

26 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com giggle. wiggle. groove. An eclectic mix of informative and entertaining programs await you on KUNM – your passport to the worlds of news, music, community and culture. Publicly supported. Publicly responsive. KUNM is an essential part of New Mexico’s day.

KUNM 89.9FM | STREAMING LIVE 24/7 AT KUNM.ORG

Advertise in GREEN FIRE TIMES Call Skip: 505.471.5177 or Anna: 505.982.0155

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 27 Reviving the Seed Arts: Reclaiming Resilience in Our Local Foodsheds Laurie Lange t’s an exciting time to be an eater and heirloom varieties have other Seed companies as we know them arose of carrots and daikon, kohlrabi and advantages, including resilience that one- early in the last century, as packeted seed escarole.I There’s so much more variety shot solutions via chemicals and genetic became marketed nationally via catalogs. in produce now, and many more local finagling simply can’t achieve. Plants At first, if a company wanted to offer places—with a farmer’s face attached— have diverse means of handling whatever seeds of a variety listed by a competitor, to get it. And more variety in seed the environment dishes out. Whether all the company had to do was obtain catalogs, too. As a long-time gardener, it is abnormal deluges, triple-digit heat, that seed and increase it in-house. As I remember the 1970s doldrums I got or drought beyond belief, plants’ innate hybrids began to be produced in earnest, when looking through tomato listings: genetic responses to challenges exemplify seed companies realized that, because a few old standbys, plus some hybrids green invention at its best. the parent lines used to create a hybrid with industrial names. That was it. The contain proprietary information, hybrids pen ollinated efined reintroduction of heirlooms has added O -P D : The offered exclusivity; that is, no one else © Seth Roffman so much flavor and color! Pink, red, New/Old Seed-Saving Revolution knew the parents—often highly inbred Open-pollinated (OP) means that the purple, orange and yellow—a spectrum and specialized for a purpose—of their and bumble bees. They get cross- vegetable variety in question has the of tomatoes from around the world and hybrid variety. pollinated during visits, and it’s a pretty ability to remain true to type when grown with unique histories. sure bet that runner bean varieties that in the open rather than under controlled We won’t follow the further development aren’t isolated will get crossed. A couple conditions. It means that the genetic of seed as intellectual property here or There is an unstoppable of years ago, another seed saver shared pool within the variety is responding discuss patented hybrids, GMOs, etc. the apricot-colored “Sunset” variety to environmental pressures, rather than Let’s focus on positives: at the same grassroots resurgence with me. The resulting flowers in my being propped up by laboratory-isolated, time that seed megacorporations are grow-out were every color of the runner of seed-saving. single genes that address just one thing. mounting their current thrust for the bean spectrum: white, apricot, pink and In the face of plant patents and genetically An OP variety’s gene pool is freely control of agriculture these technologies vermillion—a delightful mix of runner- modified organisms (GMOs), the current passed on by whatever the pollination represent, there is also an unstoppable bean glory. I named the mix “Sunset food and backyard garden revolution mechanism is for that plant type—wind grassroots resurgence of seed-saving. Parade.” But I can’t pass it on because is taking back local foodsheds. Despite or insects. Coupled with human tending Along with water, seeds are our most “Sunset,” the seed I received, was already what GMO proponents say about their and selection of seed from preferred basic world commons. For a resilient something else. products staving off world hunger, as plants over time, these natural genetic world, we need resilient seed able to create well as claims of conquest over pests and mutations created our cornucopia of defenses under increasing environmental Tomatoes are also considered self- diseases via genetic modification, when succulent, flavorful vegetables from small, challenges. We’ve realized through pollinating, and seed savers often plant looked at ecologically, open-pollinated tough plant ancestors. weather events how seed is the foundation varieties next to each other and save of independent foodsheds, and the call seed. But there are exceptions you should New Open-Pollinated Seed Companies to grow our own food is getting louder know about. Take a look at a tomato Adaptive Seeds (www.adaptiveseeds.com): An open-pollinated (OP) seed company every minute. Here are some things you flower. At its center is a plump cone that that developed from a Seed Ambassadors project. Andrew Still and Sarah Kleeger can do to revive seed-saving arts in your tapers to a slender tip, a fused structure traveled to Europe, rescuing old varieties threatened by restrictive European seed own backyard: of male stamens bearing pollen. When regulations. Their listings include heirloom greens and “bitters,” like sculpit and tomato flowers are moved by a breeze, herba stella, endive and escarole—salad and braising ingredients Europeans relish Selfing Beans and the Peculiar the pollen gets shaken onto the stigma and Americans could develop a healthy taste for. They have more: Listings are Pollination of Tomatoes atop the female style inside the cone, selected primarily for the Pacific Northwest and short growing seasons, but some Beans are among the easiest vegetables of their selections are worth trying in New Mexico, especially their hardy greens self-pollinating the flower. for growing over in our milder winter conditions. [Garden hint: fall/winter greens to save seed from because they’re self- need to be started mid-to-late summer to develop strong cold resistance.] pollinating. In order to preserve a plant However, in some tomato varieties, the variety effectively, one needs to stay within style is exserted beyond the anther cone, Farm Direct Seed (www.farmdirectseed.com): OP seed grown by the Hobbs family in southeastern Colorado, where there are cool nights and hot days. Dan the variety’s own gene pool and prevent where it’s exposed to pollen from other and Jamie are building a seed list specializing in squash, peppers and Alliums, with cross-pollination with other varieties. tomato plants. Cross-pollination becomes lettuce, tomatoes and other veggies, too. They’re wonderfully thoughtful growers Insects generally don’t get the opportunity even more likely if, say, a bumblebee visits who express a gratitude for the challenging weather events we endure in the Four to cross-pollinate a bean flower because, and “buzzes” the flower. She wraps her Corners states—drought, devastating fires and all. They say that raising their crops before it opens, the male flower part sheds abdomen around it, vibrates it incredibly through these challenges is an opportunity for increased resilience in the seed it pollen directly onto the female stigma, might not otherwise acquire. fast, and harvests a little cloud of pollen the pollen-receptive area atop the ovule on her pollen-gathering body hair, thus Light Green Thumb Seed (www.pollinatornation.com): Laurie Lange’s brainchild in which the seeds develop. Thus, more spreading pollen vigorously. If you see a focuses on world heirlooms and OP varieties adapted to aridity, production than one bean variety can be planted in in triple-digit temperatures and other extremes. Lange began offering seed of little tip emerging from the anther cones plants that support pollinator conservation and habitat for native bees. She now your garden without much concern about of a variety you’d like to save, it’s best to includes veggies, flowers, herbs, native plants and cover-crop seed for overall cross-pollination. Most common bean isolate that plant. garden resilience. One of her major goals is to fill gaps in seed selections that exist varieties, Phaseolus vulgaris, function because U.S. companies are mostly based in regions where strong drought and heat this way. Squash Pollination: Developing tolerance is not a primary concern. One current LGT project is growing-out curly Seed-Saving Skills top-resistant tomato varieties that have been dropped in the trade. Saladmaster, Not so with a sister species, Phaseolus Squash are a whole different story—cross- the first revived variety, has shown it can stay alive and remain flavorful when curly coccineus, the runner beans. They are pollinated all the way. No pollinators, no top takes out other tomatoes. immensely attractive to hummingbirds continued on page 31

28 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com The Bee Hive: Boom to Bloom Promoting Nutritious Habitat for Local Pollinator Production and Food Security Melanie Margarita Kirby

or almost a decade now, there has of honeybees, much more than any promote capacity-building been an explosion of beekeepers other state. New Mexico hosts 1,100 through professional acrossF the nation. In 2006, as news of of the 1,400 native bee species found development opportunities, colony collapse disorder spread, folks throughout North America. This is rural development, became concerned, and many were indicative of a rich, diverse landscape. entrepreneurship, honeybee inspired to learn honeybee husbandry. New Mexico has seven of the eight stock-improvement programs, While the world does indeed need more climactic zones, only missing tropical. The native and alternative pollinator beekeepers, what it especially needs is variety of microclimates and topographies promotion and production, more healthy stock to steward. However, lends itself to breeding hardy local strains. and apitherapy (medicinal use this is a very nuanced endeavor. Yet, the majority of production is coming of bee products). Last year, from states with very few subspecies, thus through partial funding by the As weather continues to fluctuate exacerbating genetic bottlenecking and NMDA, the cooperative was and environments are contaminated, inciting inbreeding. When compromised able to present its chemical- pollinator production around the world is stock is imported, our local strains are at free, honeybee-breeding being compromised. Many novices fail to severe risk of being impaired and forever stock program in the Ukraine research properly before beginning. First lost. at the World Beekeeping and foremost is the need to establish and Conference to more than

sustain habitat to better preserve and So, what can people and communities © Melanie Kirby 10,000 attending beekeepers promote local populations. Instead, many do to really help save local pollinators? from around the globe. procure bees before learning whether They can start by promoting diversified Additionally, last autumn, RMSQB This spring, the cooperative is bringing their specific location is already saturated habitat. Increasing drought is making played host to visiting beekeepers and top-notch pollinator researchers to New with honeybees. Oversaturation leads to it harder to grow food. The scarcity of researchers from as far away as France Mexico by launching the 2014 North to increased competition for forage resources water resources can spread contamination and British Columbia during the Western South New Mexico Pollinator Benefit among neighboring hives and other more readily- with devastating results. Apicultural Society of North America Lecture Series. Also upcoming is the native pollinators. Drought is adversely affecting wildflowers Conference in Santa Fe. Northern New Mexico Rocky Mountain and minimizing forage. Flora, fauna and continued on page 31 New Mexico hosts 1,100 humans are part of the Anthropocene era; native bee species. we all congregate at the same watering Symposium and Lecture Series holes. Establishing forage corridors for Northern New Mexico Rocky Mountain Sweet Spring Sting Symposium There are not many producers of local for ollinator tewards abitat ealth pollinators is a key step to promoting P S : H & H honeybees and native pollinators in ay a m p m sustainable resources for all wild and M 3, 10 . .–1 . ., St. John’s College, Great Hall, Santa Fe New Mexico, thus the boom of mass • Dr. Thomas Seeley, conservation biologist from Cornell University, author cultivated life forms that in turn help importation. The sad but true scenario is of Honeybee Democracy, speaking on Swarm Intelligence—how bees (and feed us. that many of the regions that supply the humans) collectively make decisions for the whole. Also, a screening of TheA rt of Mayordomía on ancient acequia waterway traditions. $15 stock across the nation are compromised, The few local producers established in May 4, 1–4 p.m., Southern Methodist University-Taos whether from oversaturation and spread the Land of Enchantment are struggling • Dr. Seeley will speak on feral bee habitat. Also, a guided nature-trail walk. $15 of diseases or viral transmissions and to stay proactive by integrating broader aggressive genetics. Zones where educational opportunities to better 2014 North to South New Mexico Pollinator Benefit Lecture Series conditions are unhealthy have often inform our communities and encourage May 22, 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., NMSU Sustainable Agriculture Research Farm and Center, Alcalde been sprayed with tons of fungicides, local support. The Rocky Mountain • Dr. Juliana Posada-Rangel, associate professor of Entomology at Texas pesticides, herbicides and other systemic Survivor Queenbee Cooperative is A&M, president of the American Association of Professional Apiculturists toxins, leaving residues on blossoms one such regional service organization. and the American Bee Research Conference, will speak on queen honeybee where pollinators forage. The RMSQB Cooperative began in reproductivity research. Additional presentations: Dr. Shengrui Yao, NMSU 2011 as an out-of-pocket pilot project fruit specialist, and Dr. Steve Guldan, NMSU water researcher. $15 This contamination is then laden in the ay p m between beekeepers in Santa Fe, Río M 23, 1–3 . ., ABQ BioPark, Albuquerque nectar and pollens and stored by the hive • Dr. Juliana Posada-Rangel will speak on queen honeybee reproductivity research. $15 Arriba, Taos and Mora counties. By to feed their young. Slowly but surely May 24, 2–5 p.m., Zia Queenbee Farm, Truchas 2012, the cooperative had about a dozen they are being poisoned to death. These • Rearing Queen Honeybees Field Practicum with Dr. Juliana Posada-Rangel. $45 beekeepers between Santa Fe and Fort May 25, 2–4 p.m., Cooperative Extension Office,A lamogordo poisons infiltrate individual bees and Collins, Colo. That year, the cooperative • Rearing Queen Honeybees Field Practicum with Dr. Juliana Posada-Rangel. $15 their superorganism as a whole, stressing received an initial Farmer/Producer grant June 6, 1–4 p.m., ABQ BioPark, Albuquerque the hives and creating more health issues from Western Sustainable Agriculture • Top-Bar Beekeeping: Wisdom and Pleasure Combined, with Dr. Wyatt as reproductive and cognitive functions Mangum, American Bee Journal Top-Bar Beekeeping columnist and professor Research Education and, in 2013, was of the bees become impaired. Thus, any of mathematics at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. $15 awarded an Agriculture Advance and imported stock poses high risks to local June 7, Mora Product Promotion grant from the New • Top-Bar Beekeeping: Wisdom and Pleasure Combined, with Dr. Wyatt strains and their stewards. So, although Mexico Department of Agriculture Mangum. Top-Bar Beekeeping Management, Research and Field Practicum folks wanted to help save bees, they are (NMDA). RMSQB was also recognized and Lecture: 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at Tapetes de Lana. $15 inadvertently speeding their demise. by Sustainable Santa Fe with an award for • Field Practicum 1:30–4:30 p.m. at Mora Valley Apiaries. $45 For more information or to register for these events, email rmsqbcoop@gmail. its climate-adaptation work. Research from the 1990s showed that com or visit www.survivorqueenbees.org New Mexico had 11 different subspecies RMSQB is a grassroots effort to www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 29 Fungi Can Help Save the World Working with Underground Soil Ecology in Organic Farming L. Acuña Sandoval

ll anyone has to do is read the to a market system. The plant will latest report from the United secrete secondary metabolites, which NationsA (UN) Intergovernmental function as a signal to the fungi Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) “knocking at the rhizosphere door” to comprehend the grim details of in the root area. Phosphorus supplied our shifting planet. One of the worst by AM-fungi and sugar supplied by predicted impacts in the coming plants fixed during photosynthesis are decades (besides rising sea levels) is the currency. The nutrient exchange that food may become scarce. Food (which is biodirectional) is vital to crops may not be able to survive or each for survival and fuels evolution for evolve fast enough in the changing both. Phosphorus is essential for plants climate to feed Earth’s inhabitants. for both root and shoot development; How do we initiate changes now to however in high-pH areas (above pH

be able to produce food to save future 7), it is not in a form that plants can © L. Acuna Sandoval(3 generations? A relationship that plants, readily use. If a plant will supply sugar Fall 2010 before cover cropping Summer 2013 after extensive cover cropping humans and other species have with it is producing during photosynthesis an ancient species of earth may hold to the AM-fungi, the fungi, in turn, can with environmental stresses such be used to survey the soil microbe the answer. will supply phosphorus, and then as drought because their responses can populations. A more definitive measure the symbiosis is born. The symbiosis be much faster. The big concern with would be a fungi-to-bacteria (F:B) If you take care of the land, is very complex and, depending on food crops is that they cannot adapt ratio. Cash crops are planted with conditions, fungi can sometimes it will take care of you. fast enough in the changing climate, “understory” legumes, and entire field “defect” to become pathogenic or less Fungi have been on Earth for more but, with a partnership of fast-evolving areas are never cleared or burned so cooperative and attempt to obtain the than 400 million years, with the first AM-fungi or seed-borne endophytes as to not destroy invertebrate habitat. sugar for free at the expense of the evidence of coexistence in Devonian- this may be overcome. With this protocol in the last few plant and its fitness. Ecosystems that era land plants. Fungi are present in years, the farm ecosystem is healthier have fungi and microbe diversity and How does one create and maintain most soil, and more than 80 percent and food crops are vibrant, with little thus healthy soil can be imagined as resiliency in an ecosystem and be able of plant species have the ability to added fertilizer. The target crops also a giant adaptable entity that can take to produce food and quality seed at cooperate with them. Plants may not require less water because the living hard punches from the weather yet still the same time? A long-term research have been able to make the important mulch can regulate and conserve remain standing. AM-fungi with plant project performed in central Europe, terrestrial jump out of water and water in the soil. How does it do this? interaction is a hot topic of study, but the bio-dynamic, bio-organic and develop roots if not for this relationship Once established, AM-fungi have what does this have to do with creating conventional (DOC) study, compared with fungi. The Earth’s atmosphere structures called mycelia (or hyphae a resilient farm, filtering carbon and variations of conventional and organic- would have continued to be rich in webs) that are attached to roots but other nutrients, or assisting plants to based farm practices for 22 years carbon dioxide versus oxygen, and many much smaller, and in 1 cubic meter of continue producing food in the future? to understand how these different species that depend on respiration, soil can be 20,000 km in length. The Everything. practices impact the presence and type including humans, might not exist. hyphae have the ability to mine water of fungi in the soil. Organic-based Arbuscular fungi (AM-fungi) in the Understanding the environment that and nutrients from long distances practices that used cover crops or Glomeromycota phylum are found may increase plants and beneficial and enhance the infiltration of water manure-based inputs to enrich the soil in plant roots’ “rhizosphere” and have AM-fungi to participate in a symbiosis through soil. The system also allows yielded the highest diversity of fungi a unique relationship with plants. is key. Diversity of AM-fungi and plants to communicate with each other versus mineral fertilizers. Nutrient AM-fungi in this system cooperate plant species, low soil disturbance and to receive warnings such as pathogen density studies of the crops in each (symbiosis) with plant species similar minimal added inputs are vital for a attacks, as hyphae can “fuse” when they treatment would be an important next healthy ecosystem. On the contrary, recognize the same species of fungi. step along with the impact to seed if you give a plant all the nutrients it quality in the following generations. How can fungi help save the world? requires, such as soluble phosphorus, Carbon sequestration by healthy soil it may weaken the plant’s response On my own farm some of the has the ability to allocate atmospheric to a cooperative relationship with practices that were incorporated carbon dioxide (CO ) into “long-lived AM-fungi. Why would it cooperate 2 included planting perennial cover- pools” that accumulate and amass it if it receives all nutrients artificially crop combinations to limit bare soil and, most importantly, stop it from from mineralized, added sources of areas because the soil would otherwise being immediately reemitted. In real nutrients? The likelihood of both fungi be vulnerable to wind and erosion. numbers soil has the potential to and plants participating with each other Aged compost extracts or teas were sequester Carbon generated from can shift because it depends on soil used to inoculate the soil with diverse fossil fuel emissions by a staggering conditions, and the symbiosis may be AM-fungi and bacteria. AM-fungi Soil that has been enriched by legumes 0.4 to 1.2 gigatons of carbon per strengthened or disappear altogether. prefer legume-rich areas and bacteria (vetch and clover) for two years. Note year, or 5 to 15 percent of total global Fungi also have the ability to adapt and the worms and ability of small roots to populations are higher in grass-rich fossil-fuel emissions. If green energy penetrate the non-compacted soil. evolve at a higher efficiency than plants areas, so an initial plant inventory can continued on page 32

30 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com Seed Arts continued from page 28 fruit. There are a few genera of native and cultivation preferences of each plant bees whose lives depend on the pollen type. Commercial seed producers apply from cucurbits, i.e., squash-family plants. carefully honed knowledge in their These big bees often sleep in squash professionally tended fields to get what is flowers overnight. In the morning, if you known as high-germination seed. look inside open blossoms, you may see So what’s the role of a backyard seed- them busily gathering pollen in the male saver without the same resources? A blooms. When they then visit a female good many of the heirloom varieties we flower, the incipient fruit at the base of the now enjoy are here only because of home flower is fertilized. Midmorning, the bees gardeners. And valuable varieties bred by take off with a loud buzz, carrying pollen public institutions prior to current, private loads back to their nests, where they make seed-breeding programs got offered for a it into bee bread for the next generation. while, then were dropped from catalogs. Saving seed, especially of cross-pollinated They’re only still with us because they plants, can get complicated. The simple were saved in backyards. Start your rule with squash is to grow just one seed-saving education by reading up variety of each of the three major species: on recommended practices, get quality Efficient and Cucurbita pepo, maxima, and moschata. OP seed, build your soil with compost, If you want to grow both a pumpkin encourage organisms in the soil/food web and a summer squash, though, because by refraining from chemical applications. resourceful. both are usually C. pepo varieties, you All these things will nurture the seed, have to learn hand-pollination skills. For enliven your table and increase vibrancy Wayne Steen ChFC CLU, Agent I'm eco-friendly too. corn, a wind-pollinated plant, ears must in our local foodsheds. i 3005 S St Francis, Suite 1E Santa Fe, NM 87505 Whether it's local or global, every little bit we do makes be bagged to keep the silk from getting Bus: 505-820-7926 Laurie Lange runs Light [email protected] a difference. That's just part of being there. further pollinated after applying pollen Green Thumb Seed, offering Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® by hand from the variety of your choice. New Mexico-adapted seed as CALL ME TODAY. well as wild and cultivated Learning the seed arts takes time; there’s seed for pollinator gardens. statefarm.com/green a lot to know about the growth habits [email protected] 0901002.1 State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Bee Hive continued from page 29 Sweet Spring Sting Symposium on a regular columnist for The American Bee Pollinator and Human Health (see Journal, who will present his new book, sidebar). The first lecturer, Dr. Thomas Top Bar Hive Beekeeping: Wisdom & Seeley, world-renowned Conservation Pleasure Combined, and screen some of Biologist from Cornell University and the films he has produced of his research. author of Honeybee Democracy, will The lecture series and the field practicums discuss the phenomenon of swarm are open to the public. An attendance intelligence (SI), the solving of cognitive fee—$15 per lecture and $40 per field problems by a group of individuals practicum—is requested to help cover who pool their knowledge and process speaker honorariums and support it through social interactions. SI has future programming. RMSQB hopes relevance to other animals, including to continue this lecture series annually. humans. To better understand collective RMSQB members are eligible for decision-making, we can examine natural professional development trainings, systems that have evolved sophisticated regionally and internationally. To support mechanisms for achieving SI (www. the cooperative’s pollinator research and cornell.edu/video/tom-seeley-honeybee- programming, a tax-deductible donation democracy). Dr. Seeley’s main research is can be sent to RMSQB Cooperative, P.O. determining how honeybee colonies in Box 317, Truchas, NM 87578. i the wild are able to survive without being treated with pesticides for controlling a Melanie Kirby, a deadly ectoparasitic mite, the infamous native New Mexican, varroa destructor. has been keeping bees professionally for 17 The broader lecture series features Dr. years. She is the editor Juliana Posada-Rangel, associate professor of Kelley Beekeeping, a free online newsletter. at Texas A&M, who is president of the Kirby and her partner, American Association of Professional Mark Spitzig, established Zia Queenbees to Apiculturists and the American Bee serve New Mexico communities’ pollination Research Conference, and Dr. Wyatt and honey needs. [email protected] Mangum, professor of mathematics and www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 31 OP-ED: Defending Our Community Bill of Rights Ordinance Which Bans Corporate Oil and Gas Drilling in Mora County John Olivas

his past spring, the people of our county—Mora County, New Mexico— became the first county in the United States to ban all corporate oil and gas Tdrilling as a violation of the people’s civil and environmental rights.

During the past six months, several corporations have sued Mora County in federal court, seeking to overturn our law, known as the Mora County Community Bill of Rights.

The corporations are claiming the following: • That our ban violates the corporations’ constitutional rights to drill; • That our protection of the fundamental rights of the people and the natural environment of Mora County violates the corporations’ federal constitutional Cattle and grassland in the Mora Valley rights as “persons”; • That Mora County can’t pass such a law because communities can’t ban what The Mora Bill of Rights asserts, in law, the democracy that many of us thought the state already regulates; and we already had. • That New Mexico state legislators, not the people of Mora County or other The Mora County Commissioners voted unanimously to defend the Mora County communities, have exclusive authority to decide whether Mora County is drilled. Community Bill of Rights against two lawsuits filed in federal district court. The These corporations are claiming that they have a constitutional right to frack, and second lawsuit was by a subsidiary of the Shell Corporation, which holds leases the people of Mora lack a constitutional right to protect their own health, safety on New Mexico state trust land in eastern Mora County. This area is also known and well-being. as White Peak, and the corporation leased these state trust lands in 2010 for $.25 per acre or $160 per section of land.

Corporations have been granted increasing power Rather than the end of the fight, we see these lawsuits as merely a beginning of a to dictate our communities’ future. waking-up that must occur across our communities and the country, to understand In drafting our ordinance, we the people of Mora County asked ourselves what the that we are caught within a system that virtually guarantees our destruction. Across purpose of law and government is. We agreed that law must serve to protect our the United States, over 150 communities, including the city of Pittsburgh, have begun people and our community. We then asked ourselves whether we can do so under to walk the path that the people of Mora County are now walking. Along the way, the existing system of law, which recognizes corporate powers but not community we must not only call out corporate decision-makers for what they do but begin to rights. The clear answer to that was no. dismantle what they’ve spent so many years building. We call on you to join the people of Mora County in our resistance to a We learned that our law-making authority as “we the people” has been largely system of law and governance that bears almost no resemblance eliminated as decision-making has been increasingly centralized at the state and to “we the people” and “consent of the governed.” Only then federal levels. Simultaneously, private corporations have been granted increasing will we begin to build the world and communities that we so power to dictate the future of our communities. desperately need. i Corporations have manufactured a legal system that promotes and protects their John Olivas is chairman of the Mora County Board of Commissioners. private interests over our public interests, including the ever-expanding bestowal This statement was issued by Commissioner Olivas and is not an official of constitutional “rights” onto corporations. Corporations use those “rights” to stop statement from the Mora County Board of Commissioners. efforts that seek to use local law-making to protect communities from harmful corporate activities. Fungi continued from page 30 Thus, in drafting our ordinance, we decided not only to recognize that Mora is also embraced as the IPCC report shaking us off its back like a bunch of County residents possess certain civil and environmental rights—to local self- suggests, we may be able to achieve fleas with no remorse or negotiation, government where they live, to a sustainable energy future, to clean air and water, the 80 percent cut in fossil-fuel (20) just natural selection. i and to water for agriculture—but that those rights cannot be overridden by use needed to alleviate a future of corporate “rights” or nullified by state legislatures. L. Acuña Sandoval, a former analytical catastrophes. chemist, is an organic farmer and seed State constitutional provisions may recognize greater constitutional rights than those conservationist from Dixon, New Mexico. Think of AM-fungi as noble old recognized by the federal bill of rights. Likewise, our local bill of rights recognizes She is a vendor souls that have been our loyal friends greater rights for the people and environment of Mora County than they possess at the Santa Fe for a very long time and may save Farmers’ Market, under either the state or federal Constitution. The prohibitions in the ordinance, future generations from the brink of where she sells food including the ban on corporate drilling, become necessary because many activities, extinction. If we utilize AM-fungi products and locally if undertaken, would automatically violate the rights secured by the ordinance. to initiate meaningful changes to adapted seeds. For more information ecosystems, even in city rooftops and The people of Mora County haven’t set themselves adrift from the state and regarding this federal system of law. Instead, our ordinance envisions a transformed system that abandoned fields, who knows what article, email doesn’t recognize corporations as capable of possessing constitutional rights and might happen? The dark mysterious redasandoval@ that prevents wielding state and federal governments to stop communities from earth may feed and sustain us and other yahoo.com or visit using law to protect themselves. inhabitants, instead of metaphorically http://www. zuluspetalsfarm.com

32 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com NEWSBITEs Watershed Groups Call for Court of Appeals to Throw Out Copper Rule The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) has filed an appeal against the adoption of the Copper Rule—a rule that regulates discharges from copper mines. The brief argues that the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) violated the state’s Water Quality Act when it adopted the rule and asks the Court of Appeals to set the rule aside. The Water Quality Act mandates that the WQCC adopt regulations that prevent or abate water pollution, but the Copper Rule expressly allows all copper mines to pollute New Mexico’s groundwater with acid rock drainage, metals and other toxic contaminants. “Given that 65 percent of our state is currently in severe drought or worse—including Grant County where Freeport McMoRan’s massive copper mines are located—our decisionmakers should be developing rules that protect groundwater. The law is clear in New Mexico: water is a public resource, and it must be protected,” says Bruce Frederick, NMELC staff attorney. Opposing parties have 75 days to respond to the filed brief. TheC ourt of Appeals could take a year to decide the case. Taos County Water Rights About 400 Taos County properties have recently had their agricultural status revoked. Over the past year, the county assessor’s office has determined that those properties are no longer being used for farming, sending property taxes skyrocketing. Those landowners may also be at risk of losing their water rights because of New Mexico’s “use-it-or-lose- it” water code. Water rights and the tax discount may be lost if land isn’t irrigated; but if acequias (ditches) aren’t maintained and newcomers aren’t interested in farming, it becomes problematic to irrigate land. Water rights may also be deemed “abandoned,” if Supporting Local Business in Southern they have been unused for a number of years, or if they have not been used to grow some kind of crop or for livestock. New Mexico At a time when urban development along the Río Grande is seeking water wherever possible, acequia parciantes see this situation as a potential threat to their age-old tradition 221 N. Main Street, Las Cruces. 575-­‐323-­‐1575 in which land and water go together. They say that landowners should not be penalized because of the drought that has prevented some acequia users from irrigating. There are some statutory protections in place that give acequia commissions the right to approve or deny the transfer of surface-water rights from a ditch-irrigated property. Acequia water-rights holders can also “bank” rights that are not being used, if the owner plans to claim the right in the foreseeable future. Further legislation to prevent long-time residents from being taxed off their lands and to protect the region’s agriculture and rural character is being discussed. Recommendations: Statewide Water Town Hall “A Town Hall on Water Planning, Development and Use,” organized by New Mexico First and attended by more than 300 people from 31 counties last month, found that New Mexicans want a balanced water policy that plans for future shortages, expands water storage and reuse, addresses legal issues and protects environmental resources. They want to explore the potential of cleaning up brackish (nonpotable, highly salty) water in our aquifers. Attendees included business leaders, industrial water users, environmental advocates, researchers, municipal water planners, farmers and ranchers, government professionals, elected officials and students. The following strategies were identified: • Implement long-term collaborative, comprehensive, watershed-scale restoration projects to foster healthy ecosystem function and resilience, including wildfire-protection plans. • Improve the state and regional planning process including dedicated funding, consistent data across regions, and the best available science on current and future water supply. • Develop emergency plans and sharing agreements to address allocation of water during times of shortage. • Fund and initiate new water supply and storage projects such as aquifer storage and recovery, reclaimed wastewater, surface water storage, stormwater capture and water- delivery enhancement. • Improve the funding process for water investments, including better coordination among funders and improved leveraging of revolving loan programs, grants, user fees and federal funds. • Clarify the processes for use of brackish water, as well as use and reuse of nonpotable water used in oil and gas drilling. • Increase the efficiency and timeliness of the adjudication process, while also strengthening the water market through clear and fair water-right-transfer policies. The recommendations will be advocated to state and local leaders by an implementation team comprising volunteers from the event led by former State Engineer John D’Antonio. A full report is posted at nmfirst.org www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 33 * Foreclosure defense

34 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com The Great March for Climate Action Comes to New Mexico Earl James A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu • On May 24, a welcoming procession will bring the marchers into Taos. nd so does a journey of 2,996 miles from Los Angeles, Calif., to Washington, Coincidentally, May 17 is also the Sierra Club’s National Reject and Protect Day D.C. On March 1, more than 1,000 human beings—just like you and me—made of Action against the Keystone XL pipeline. aA decision to march out of L.A. with a goal of reaching the nation’s capital on Nov. 1, calling all along the way for U.S. action on the climate crisis. Fall congressional elections For more event information: www.climatemarch/NewMexico.org can’t duck this Great March. The Great March for Climate Approximately 40 people signed up for the entire eight-month march, braving heat, Action is already having an rain and cold, all to bring attention to the desperate need for our nation to take strong, impact on New Mexico, as dozens meaningful action to cut carbon emissions—especially fossil fuel—before runaway of New Mexico communities and global warming leaves civilization in the dust, or mud, or ice, or at the mercy of organizations come together to megatyphoons and extreme drought and fire—not to mention the Earth’s nonhuman provide food, a home-stay, fresh pollinators, composters, scavengers, water purifiers, medicinal healers and touchstones water, friendship and funding. of our spiritual gratitude for the wonder of biodiversity. Support a marcher at: www. climatemarch.org/donate-1/. © Ed Fallon, Climate March founder © Ed Fallon, Great March supporters include Climate marchers entering New Mexico on April 28 Laguna Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo, from the Arizona border Zuni Pueblo, Cochití Pueblo, Kewa Pueblo, Picuris Pueblo, Río Grande Sierra Club, Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment, New Energy Economy, Amigos Bravos, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos city officials, Consolidated Solar Technologies, Littleglobe, Santa Fe Community College’s Sustainability Program, New Mexico Committee for the Humanities, Albuquerque’s International Balloon Museum and Park, and many others.

Ahni Rocheleau, New Mexico state coordinator for the Great March says, “The marchers are giving the great gift of walking across the country for those of us who cannot make the commitment. If you join the march

© Jonathan/Subtle Dream (2) in New Mexico, you can shift our sunny state from its current and pending demand for more coal, gas and One cross-country marcher blogged: We represent 36 states, seven countries, and a nuclear toward a path as a world leader in renewable multitude of human backgrounds. We are students, grandparents, mothers, fathers, sources of energy.” Want to help make the New Mexico brothers, sisters and friends who have sacrificed more than eight months of our lives march a historic event? Sign up to march at http:// in order to march for those who may not be able to, for the most important moral issue climatemarch.org/march/apply-to-march-1/. To of our generation: the Climate Crisis. collaborate, contact Ahni at [email protected] The marchers entered New Mexico on April 28 at Zuni Pueblo, and they will depart Earl James is an environmental activist, writer, nonprofit fundraiser, and directs The Life Cairn our state on May 29, averaging 15 miles per day. Along the way, they take part in rallies Project: [email protected], www.thelifecairnproject.org and house parties and visit schools to talk about the climate emergency and why they are marching.

• On April 28, Zuni Pueblo dancers greeted the marchers, and the pueblo provided a campsite. • On May 5, marchers will enter Albuquerque: Watch www.climatemarch.org/ NewMexico for announcements of gatherings to challenge the coal, gas and nuclear habit. • On May 17, in Santa Fe, at 10:30 am, join the procession from Aspen Community Magnet School to the Farmers’ Market; mix with the Green Chamber of Commerce Green Festival; and join a rally at 11 am. • At 4 p.m., at Fort Marcy Park, the Great March will host youth events with Global Warming Express. Following a blessing by Picuris Pueblo Gov. Richard Mermejo, you can help build a “Life Cairn” to memorialize species gone extinct due to human activity, raise alerts about critically endangered species, human cultures and island nations. You can then gather around a digital campfire for an evening with Climate Marchers and Native American storytellers. • On May 18, in Santa Fe, the March kicks off the Fossil Free Film Festival on Sunday, at noon, at the Center for Contemporary Arts (CCA), followed by a panel discussion with the Climate Marchers.

www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 35 910

G.L. Runer Electric Inc. Honest Quality Work at Competitive Prices 505-471-3626 We provide testing, and troubleshooting for Santa Fe, NM and the surrounding areas. www.glrunerelectric.com

Consider placing an ad in this award- winning publication. Green Fire Times is available at Call Skip Whitson many locations in the metropolitan (505.471.5177) Albuquerque / Río Rancho area! or Anna Hansen For the location nearest you, (505.982.0155) call Nick García at 505.203.4613

36 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates’ Statements EDITOR’S NOTE: The June 3 primary is approaching. Gary King is New Mexico’s attorney general; Linda Lopez and Howie Morales are state senators; Lawrence Rael has served in many executive roles; Alan Webber is a businessman and former publisher.

As Governor, I will bring stakeholders together from across our state to develop a true, Gary King comprehensive state water plan based on communication, collaboration and trust— including our municipalities, tribal governments, acequia organizations and our farmers rotection of the environment and especially of our and ranchers. We must have input from all sectors to have a true chance at success in ground and surface water resources is one of my top transforming our water use and securing it for future generations. Ppriorities—that is what we need in the Governor’s office today. Where others may talk and make promises, as your As Governor, I will invest fully in wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation, attorney general I have fought to protect our environment. I including education efforts, thinning dense overgrowth in our forests, reducing wild am proud of my record of accomplishment. land fuel sources, and funding land rehabilitation to restore fire-damaged landscape, infrastructure reconstruction, and other recovery measures. I will also invest in improving A few years ago I challenged the Bush-EPA’s decision to permit dams, arroyos and channels to prevent threats of flash flooding. construction of the Desert Rock coal power plant in the Four Corners area. EPA had not taken proper consideration of the On January 1, 2015, the change from Gov. Susana Martínez’s administration will be hazardous air pollutants nor the Endangered Species Act when immediate. Never again will the Governor’s office or the state government block New it issued a permit for the facility. My challenge, working with environmental groups, resulted Mexico citizens from participating in decisions that affect our land, air and water quality. in EPA withdrawing the permit. Today I continue to lead the fight to block Gov. Martínez’s destructive Copper Mine Lawrence Rael Rule that would allow widespread contamination of groundwater beneath copper mines As former president of the New Mexico Green Chamber in the state, setting a dangerous precedent to empower other industries to do so. It would of Commerce, I have already been pushing for renewable undermine decades of protection of groundwater in New Mexico. energy and “buy local” initiatives. It is what we must do More recently I led the fight successfully to block the Valley Meat Company horse slaughter to preserve our environment for future generations and to facility in Roswell. The owners wanted to operate without a valid water discharge permit—a diversify our economy and create good paying jobs. But permit that ensures our groundwater will not be contaminated. the generation of clean renewable energy should only be the start. New Mexico’s goal should be to become the Job development and protection of our resources is not an either/or proposition. As leader in all aspects of renewable energy: manufacturing of Governor I will promote common-ground policies that both protect the environment components, developing new technologies from our labs, and support economic growth and jobs. and transmission of this clean energy to the entire U.S. There are several steps we can take. The first is simple: let’s Linda M. López examine what policies have been working both here and The Green Economy of New Mexico must be built to two elsewhere and expand on them. For example, the Sustainable Building Tax Credit has been a complementing battlefronts. The first is to recognize that our tremendous success for building energy-efficient homes and for creating jobs. Because of inaction state is a casualty enduring the damages left by almost 70-year by Gov. Martínez, this program is now oversubscribed when it should have been expanded. legacy of Cold War activities; the second being that we initiate The second step is that we must invest in ourselves if we want to develop a clean energy an economic boom based on a mindset that our state’s future future for New Mexico. Currently, almost all of our permanent funds are invested in Wall commercial success is based on the growth of industries and Street. If we brought just a small number of those dollars home to invest in local businesses, businesses that reflect our desire to lead the country as a home we could develop the technologies of tomorrow and create jobs right here at home. for innovative, sustainable and socially equitable development. New Mexico has the resources to be at the forefront of this field. We just need the will The first battlefront must be taken directly to the halls of our United States Congress. and the leadership to make it a reality. National policymakers must be made to understand that an ecological disaster befell our state in its role as a protector of our country’s national security. With this understanding must come the allocation of billions of federal dollars to our state to address the damage. Alan Webber These monies are crucial to cleaning up the radioactive tailings piles affecting our Native As New Mexicans, we all know how incredible our state is, American population, stopping the plume of jet fuel threatening the water supply of our and how lucky we are to live here. We also recognize our largest city, removing the toxic materials contaminating the Jémez area surrounding Los tremendous untapped potential. Nowhere is that more obvious Alamos and moving ever-closer to the Río Grande, monitoring and inventorying the than with renewable energy and our nascent green economy. unknown long-term effects of a hastily capped Sandia Laboratory landfill, and the release of radioactive materials from the Waste Isolation Pilot Project in southeast New Mexico. We are second in the country in solar energy potential; there is no excuse for us not to lead the nation in solar energy The second initiative is to implement policies and an image of a state that will have New production. As Governor, I will put in place the policies Mexicans and others outside our borders desiring to be on the forefront of the Green necessary to achieve 20 percent solar energy by 2025 (http:// Economy. New Mexico, with its beauty, culture and quality of life, will become the home www.alanfornm.com/solar/). Naturally, we will foster other for those looking toward a new and better business future. renewable energy sources as well, but the greatest gap between Some might find this two-pronged approach at odds with itself, but it will bring a huge influx of potential and reality is with solar. federal monies in the short-term, and a healthy and prosperous business climate in the long-term. At the same time, we must reduce our energy demands by investing heavily in energy efficiency. Efficiency measures are a win-win-win for everyone: they create badly needed Howie Morales jobs, they save New Mexicans money on their utility bills, and they reduce our carbon pollution. More than any Governor in New Mexico history, I will champion the environment. A Morales administration will Although natural resources are a big part of New Mexico’s economy now, that activity is take action to block hazardous chemicals from being released focused around non-renewable resource extraction like oil, gas and mining—not on clean, into the air we breathe, dumped into the water we drink, or sustainable resource development. We need to diversify our economy and turn our biggest improperly disposed of on the land we inhabit. challenges—energy storage and transmission, water scarcity, etc.—into opportunities to lead the country in environmentally friendly technology development, application and I support moving our state to a clean energy grid, including manufacturing. electric, automobiles and construction. We can have a positive impact on our environment through the everyday choices we We also need to do more to boost outdoor recreation and ecological tourism. These are make, and I pledge to lead New Mexico by example. growth industries nationally and globally, and with innovative leadership, we can take full advantage of the opportunities that await us. Please visit http://www.alanfornm.com/ www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 37 What's Going On! Events / Announcements

presented by the Sandoval Co. Master Gar- companion Wilderness Celebration Exhibi- May 9, 5 pm Nomination Deadline deners. Free. Registration: 505.867.2582, tion will showcase organizational booths for Mayor’s Arts Awards [email protected] grade- and middle-school students. Confer- The city Arts Commission is seeking nomi- ence registration: $350/$200. Scholarships. May 10-Aug. 9 (Saturdays) nations for individuals, organizations and http://www.wilderness50th.org/conference businesses that have made outstanding con- 9:00 am-3 pm Daily tributions to the community. Awards dinner Certified Beekeepers Program on Oct. 23. 505.955.6707, artscommission@ Degrees of Change: Open Space Visitors Center santafenm.gov, www.SantaFeArtsCommi Learn backyard beekeeping in the context NM’s Climate Forecast ssion.org ALBUQUERQUE of responsible urban farming. Supervised, NM Museum of Natural History & May 1-3, 8-9 May 9, 6-11 pm hands-on lessons using top-bar and Lang- Science, 1801 Mountain Rd. NW Natl. Dance Inst. Performances stroth honeybee hives. Includes handbook. With a focus on NM and the SW, this exhibit re- FantaSe Dome Fest Hiland Theater, 4800 Central SE Offered through the NM Beekeepers Assn. veals current and predicted impacts on humans, DeVargas Park End-of-year performances by over in cooperation with the city of Albuquerque. landscapes and ecosystems. Tickets: $7, $6, $4. Multimedia interactive light festival featur- 1,000 local high school students themed $250. Application: http://www.nmbeekeepers. Info: 505.841.2800, www.nmnaturalhistory.org ing 4 geodesic domes, art projections and around adventure in science. Tickets: $10. org, Info: 505.281.9888, [email protected] bands. Second annual public collaborative 505.340.0219; Info: 505.872.1800, ndi-nm. SANTA FE community event. Presented by Creative org/content/end-of-year_events May 11, 1-3 pm May 1, 10 am-5 pm Santa Fe, NM Arts and a variety of partners. New Mexico Waterfalls Celebrate SF Tourism Expo May 3, 10 am-3 pm pen pace isitor enter May 9-11 O S V C SF Convention Center RAICES Community Education 6500 Coors NW Seeding the Dream Retreat of Traditional Medicine Showcases businesses and organizations Author Doug Scott will present a 45-minute that bring visitors to SF. Presented by the SF Ampersand Sustainable Learning Raymond G. Sánchez Community Center slideshow based on his book. Free but lim- Chamber of Commerce and the SF Conven- Center, Cerrillos, NM Learn about medicinal plants and their uses. ited seating. Registration: 505.897.8831 tion and Visitors Bureau. santafe.org Three restorative days of creativity, relaxation Remembering Ancestors Inspiring Cul- and simple living close to the earth on an off- ture Establishing Self. Free. 505.375.0155, May 15, 9-10:30 am May 1-4 grid site. Experience ways to be at peace with [email protected] Agriculture Collaborative Mtg. Santa Fe Film Festival ourselves and to take action with each other. ffices opper $250. 505.780.0535, amanda@ampersand MRCOG O , 809 C NW otel ean octeau inema May 3, 1-3:30 pm: Opening H SF, J C C , CCA project.org, ampersandproject.org http://www.mrcog-nm.gov/agriculture- A celebration of the best in cinematic arts. El Agua es Vida: Acequias mainmenu-55/meetings-mainmenu-240 in Northern NM Over 60 films, panels, juried awards, work- May 9-11 May 17, 8 am-1 pm shops and parties. Producers and filmmakers Passport to the Arts Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, UNM Río Grande Cleanup will be in attendance. Line-up of films and Based on NSF-funded research by scientists details: Santafefilmfestival.com Canyon Road & Various Venues and scholars across several disciplines and in- W. Side of Central Ave. Explore the world of art, music, food with stitutions, including UNM, NMSU, NM Tech Río Grande Bridge May 2, 1-2 pm artists creating artworks which are imme- and the NM Acequia Association, this exhibit National River Cleanup Day. Donated pic- Tree Planting Workshop diately auctioned off; silent auctions at gal- will tell the story of how acequias operate as nic lunch afterward. Organized by ABQ leries, free evening concert at Patrick Smith Railyard Park Community Room part of whole watershed systems, how and why Open Space. Registration: 505.247.1191 or Park. 505.982.9404 Free. RSVP: 505.316.3596, [email protected] they persist, as well as the challenges they face rei.com/albuquerque May 10, 9am-12:30 pm today. 505.277.1400, [email protected] May 3, 10 am-4 pm May 17, 10:30 am-12:30 pm Build a Rain Barrel Garden Fair May 4, 1-4 pm Opening Eating for Your Health La Tienda at Eldorado, 7 Caliente Rd. SW Herbalism & Curanderismo: Rodeo Grounds Highland Senior Center Workshop taught by Doug Pushard. Free. Reg- Healing and Ritual Exhibition Presented by the SF Master Gardeners istration: 512.698.8763, [email protected] 131 Monroe NE Association. axwell useumof nthropology M M A , UNM Community-based workshop for people who May 10, 10 am-10 pm Traditional and contemporary Southwest have or had cancer, covering elements of a May 3-4 CommUNITY Day herbalism will be explored at the 5th annual healthy lifestyle; plant-based and animal Cinco de Mayo Celebration Food and Life series, featuring herbalist Dr. proteins; organic and conventional foods; Santa Fe Plaza Tomás Enos, permaculturalist/chef Trish antioxidants and systemic alkalinity; health El Museo Cultural in the Railyard 21st annual Día de la Gente. Family-friendly Cyman, Sophia Rose of La Abeja Herbs and benefits of herbs & spices, fats & sweeteners. Arts, Culture & Community. 5/3, 5:30-8 pm: fun. Live music until 10 pm, nonprofit and curandera Tonita Gonzales. 505.277.1400, Free. Registration required. 505.281.9888 Silent Auction; 9 pm-12 am: Dance featuring government agencies information tables [email protected] Lumbre del Sol; 5/4, 1-5 pm: Free event with until 3 pm. Free parking at city-owned lots May 17, 2-4 pm Mariachi Buenaventura, Danza Azteca, Kid’s and meters. 505.955.6979, bjmossman@ May 7, 5:30-7:30 pm Urban Refuge for Wildlife Corner, community potluck and more. Info/ santafenm.gov tickets: 505.474.5536, www.esperanzashelter.org Green Drinks pen pace isitor enter O S V C May 10 Hotel Andaluz, 125 2nd St. oors 6500 C NW May 6 Community Mud Day Network and mingle with Sara Jayne Cole of the Central NM Audu- Tibetan Wisdom people interested in lo- bon Society shows ways to provide healthy Frenchy’s Park, 2001 Agua Fria St. cal business, clean energy environments for birds and cats. Free. SF Convention Center Volunteers can help the SF Parks Division and other green issues. 505.897.8831, [email protected] Renowned teacher Sakya Trizin, leader of restore the adobe walls that form the laby- 505.244.3700, Lindsay@ the Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. rinth. Bring work gloves and a picnic lunch nmgreenchamber.com May 30-31 SF. 9:30 am: Buddha Dharma in Daily Life or pot luck dish. 505.955.2110 NM Film & Media Industry Conf. ($25/$15); 2 pm: The Three Bodhisattvas: May 8, 11:45 am-1 pm Blessing/Empowerment (($35/$25); 7 pm: May 10 Panels, presentations, vendors, networking USGBCNM Lunch & Learn appreciation dinner/Potala Dance Troupe IAIA Spring Powwow with filmmakers, producers, crew, digital performance ($40). Tickets: tsechennam Hartman + Majewski Design Group, artists, post-production professionals. Topic drolling.wordpress.com, The Ark, Project IAIA Campus, 83 Avan Nu Po Road 120 Vassar SE, Ste. 100 examples: Transmedia–marketing and con- Tibet, Bell and Dorje Gallery and at the 10-11 am: Gourd dancing. 11 am: Grand en- What you really need to know about LEED tent strategies across multiple platforms, door. [email protected], try. Dancing contests continue to 7 pm. Eve- V4. Presented by the U.S. Green Building NM Refundable Film Production Tax Cred- tsechennamdrolling.wordpress.com/ ning grand entry. Free. 505.424.2300 Council-NM. $20/$15., http://usgbcnm. it. [email protected], www.nmfilm.com wildapricot.org May 7, 7 pm May 10-11 Oct. 15-19 Lannan: Sandra Steingraber Kindred Spirits Open House May 9, 8:45 am-12 pm National Wilderness Conf. The Lensic 3749A Highway 14 Drought Gardening Hyatt Regency ABQ, Strategies Workshop Steingraber, Ph.D., is an ecologist, author, Eldercare sanctuary for dogs, horses and ABQ Convention Center, Civic Plaza cancer survivor and authority on environ- poultry. Free talks and demos on senior Sandoval Co. Extension Office Presentations, panels, exhibits, field trips mental links to cancer and human health. wellness. 505.471.5366, kindredspiritsnm@ 711 S. Cam. del Pueblo, Bernalillo and skill-development workshops focusing (See ad, pg. 9) Tickets: $6/$3: 505.988.1234, earthlink.net, www.kindredspirtsnm.org Desert gardening techniques, rainwater on recent advances and emerging issues in ticketssantafe.org, www.lannan.org collection, home soil erosion management wilderness stewardship, culminating in the public Wilderness50 ‘Get Wild’ Festival. The

38 Green Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com May 12, 5 pm Submission Deadline May 17, 8 am-4 pm HERE & THERE to NM. Tours, tea house, lavender products. Nighttime Economy Santa Fe Green Festival May 3-4 www.purpleadobelavenderfarm.com Proposals Wanted El Museo Cultural Corrales Art Studio Tour The City of SF Economic Development Div. In conjunction with the SF Farmers’ Market, festival May 30, 5 pm Application Deadline Corrales, NM is seeking community proposals for project goers can experience businesses and organizations Amy Biehl Youth Spirit Award Tour the studios and homes of more than 65 to enhance SF’s nighttime economy. $5,000 exhibiting renewable energy technologies, electric ve- artists. 505.688.0100 NM Voices for Children honors NM youth will be awarded to the portfolio of selected hicles, organic food, water harvesting, interactive ex- (13-26) who have brought positive change projects. 5/2, 10 am: info session at Market hibits for kids and much more. 505.428.9123, glenn@ May 4-26 to their communities or the world through Station in the Railyard, 2nd floor. Propos- nmgreenchamber.com Tomé Gallery Artists community service. $1,000 and $500 awards. als should be 1,000 words max. Email to: 505.244.9505, ext. 108, burban@nmvoices. [email protected] May 18, 12-2 pm 2930 Hwy. 47, Tomé, NM org Films/Panel on Climate Change Items inspired by the artists’ ancestors. Pot- May 30-June 1 May 13 tery, textiles, books by local authors, paint- CCA, 1050 Old Pecos Trail Ecological Restoration ings, photos and jewelry. 5/4, 2-4 pm: Recep- 13th Annual Española Basin Tech- Discussion with Climate Marchers plus Volunteer Project nical Advisory Group Workshop tion. 505.565.0556, www.tomegallery.com personal message from Bill McKibben. $5. Río Cebolla, Jémez Mountains SF Community College, Jémez Rooms [email protected] May 6 Camp out with the ABQ Wildlife Federa- Workshop for technical people from government May 18, 5:30 pm Give Grande New Mexico tion and Trout Unlimited to help build ero- and academic organizations. An overview of the sion control structures and plant native veg- A 24-hour effort led by a coalition of com- geologic, hydrogeologic, geochemical and hydrologic NM Poets Read Their Work etation to improve wildlife habitat. rioscial@ munity foundations to raise money for conditions in the Española Basin. $20. Registration: eatro araguas gmail.com, http://abq.nmwildlife.org/ T P nonprofits across the state.T o sign up your http://geoinfo.nmt.edu/ebtag/workshop/registr 3205 Calle Marie, Ste. B ation/home.cfml nonprofit or get information, email info@ May 31 Richard Vargas, Lauren Camp and John givegrandenm.org or visit Macker. Free. 505.424.1601 Spring Open House May 13, 4-6 pm www.givegrandenm.org [email protected] rboretum omé os unas Eldorado/285 Recycles A T , L L May 8-9 Talks in the morning, live music in the after- May 24, 12:30 pm ECIA Conference Room Tools to Manage Drought noon. 505.866.7645, http://treesthatplease. March Against Monsanto Eldorado area recycling advocacy and Disturbance Workshop org/arboretum-tome/ group monthly meeting. All welcome. Santa Fe Silver City, NM June 8, 9 am-4 pm 505.466.9797, eldorado285recycles@mail. Farmers’ Market at the Railyard com, eldorado285recycles.org Instructor Kirk Gadzia with other presenters Corrales Garden Tour 505.699.0879 and field tour assistance. Free. Sponsored by May 14, 8:30-10:30 am the Quivira Coalition and The Nature Con- Self-guided tour of 8 distinctive gardens that May 29th use water-wise xeric planting. Presented by What Is Legacy? Vegetarian Indian Cuisine servancy. 505.820.2544, Mwalton@quivira coalition.org/Land_Water_Program/2014_ Corrales MainStreet with support from San- ommunity oundation SF C F Class on curry. Kate Wheeler: 505.819.5659 Restoration_Workshops/index.html doval Co. Master Gardeners. Tickets: $10 at Community conversation on the consider- local garden centers. 505-350-3955, info@ ations of leaving a legacy. Free. 505.988.9715, June 12, 6:30-9:30 pm May 9-11 corrales-gardentour.com, www.corrales- www.santafecf.org Dinner and a Spice Evening Río Grande Whitewater Festival gardentour.com May 14, 6 pm Savory Spice Shop, 225 Galisteo St. Various Locations in Northern NM Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-1 pm A Livable, Walkable Santa Fe Join Slow Food SF for a family-style dinner Many activities such as races, kayak rodeo, and Saturday and exploration of spice. $25. Reservations: float trip, discussions, live music, awards. Pajarito Environmental SF Convention Center 505.474.3896, [email protected] Pre-registration required. $15 individuals; Education Center National experts Dan Burden and Robert $60 teams. Raftnewmexico.org Ping offer a public talk, presented by Cre- June 21, 9:30 am-12 pm 3540 Orange St., Los Alamos, NM ative Santa Fe and the Metropolitan Plan- Survive & Thrive in Drought May 10 Start (Saturdays) Exhibits of flora and fauna of the Pajarito ning Organization. Free 505.989.6614, La Tienda Performance Space, Eldorado Charm School for Beekeepers Plateau; herbarium, live amphibians, but- [email protected] terfly and xeric gardens. Free. 505.662.0460, A panel of experts will discuss what in- Taos, NM May 15, 1-2:30 pm dividuals, communities and counties can Workshops for enhancing one’s apiary man- [email protected], www.Pajarito EEC.org Guided SF Canyon Preserve do to prepare for a drought-prone future. agement. www.ziaqueenbees.com/zia 505.660.4745, [email protected] Hike May 15 Application Deadline Tree Seedlings Available The Nature Conservancy’s stewardship ecolo- First Saturday of Each Month, Sierra Club’s Summer Program The NM State Forestry Division is selling gist, Robert Martin, leads an easy nature hike. 10 am-12 pm sixty species of tree and shrub seedlings as arwood odge near alif Reservations required: 505.946.2029, Robert_ SF Citizens’ Climate Lobby H L , L.A., C . part of the division’s Spring Conservation [email protected], nature.org/NewMexico Summer camp-style training for and led by Seedling Program to promote healthy for- Natural Grocers, Community Room young people interested in grassroots or- ests and watersheds around the state. The errillos oad May 15, 4-6 pm 3328 C R ganizing, movement building and change seedlings are available to landowners who “Creating political will for a livable world” IAIA BFA Exhibition-Closing Reception making. July 6-13. Some scholarships. own at least one acre in NM and agree to use [email protected] https://docs.google.com/a/sierraclub.org/ Museum of Contemporary Native the seedlings for conservation purposes such forms/d/1HoTpeMRSbgekUorqqlFvR3U as erosion control or riparian restoration. Arts, 108 Cathedral Place Become a Site Steward -mx9s4_52gb4TQELWCOg/viewform Institute of American Indian Arts student 505.476.3325, www.emnrd.state.nm.us/ Santa Fe National Forest exhibition of photos, paintings, sculpture, May 16-18 SFD/treepublic/ConservationSeedlings. Monitor archeological and historical sites on html installations, printmaking and jewelry. Tra- a regular basis for evidence of natural dete- Ecological Restoration ditional skill and contemporary vision. Free. rioration or vandalism. Next formal training: Volunteer Project Río Grande Return 505.428.5907, [email protected] May 14. www.sfnfsitestewards.org Zuni Mountains near Gallup, NM Gifts from the River May 15-16 BizMIX Competition Join the ABQ Wildlife Federation for a Locally produced salsas, jams, honey, choco- Natl. Dance Inst. Performances weekend partnering with the U.S. Forest lates, soaps, lotions, incense and more. Sup- Start-up business ideas and committed entrepre- Service to build rock structures designed to Pojoaque Valley High School Gym ports local farmers, producers and the con- neurs in Santa Fe wanted. Make connections with protect and restore critical habitat for the en- servation of the Río Grande. 505.466.1767, 1574 NM 502 peers and mentors. Compete for more than $20,000 dangered Zuni Bluehead Sucker. rioscial@ End-of-year performances by over 570 area toll free: 866.466.1767, www.riogrande in cash and prizes while being followed by video gmail.com, http://abq.nmwildlife.org/ return.com high school students themed around “Broad- cameras for primetime reality TV. Apply at http:// way Bound.” Tickets: $10. 505.983.7646, ext. mixsantafe.com/bizmix/. Sponsorship info: mix@ May 16-18 NM Green Chamber of Commerce 104, ndi-nm.org/content/end-of-year_events mixsantafe.com Taos Lilac Festival The NM Green Chamber of Commerce, with May 15-18 Santa Fe Recycling Kit Carson Park, Taos, NM chapters around the state, has a business di- Arts & crafts fair, live music, free Tío Vivi rectory that is a great resource for conscious Soul Renewal Wilderness Make 2014 the year to reduce, reuse and recycle Retreats carousel, vintage auto show, food and more. consumers looking for locally owned and as much as you can. City residential curbside 5/18, 11 am: pet parade. 575.758.8870, environmentally friendly businesses in their SF National Forest Lands customers can recycle at no additional cost and Taoslilacfestival.com area. Contribute to a sustainable future by Time for you! Unplug so you can plug into drop by 1142 Siler Road, Building A to pick up supporting businesses in your city/town that nature as a teacher and nurturer. Tools and free recycling bins. At least 50 percent of curb- May 17-18, 4 pm are striving to be leaders in green business skills for living a more beautiful world into side residential customers recycle now. Let’s Purple Adobe Lavender Farm practices. Info: 505.859.3433, info@nmgre being. Hosted by LeadFeather.org and Larry take that number to 100 percent. For more in- Grand Opening enchamber.com, http://nmgreenchamber. Glover, permitted with the USFS since 1989. formation, visit http://www.santafenm.gov/ com/members?page=2 505.690.5939, www.wildresiliency.com trash_and_recycling or call 505.955.2200 (city); PALF Road 1622, gate 31, Abiquiú, NM 505.992.3010 (county); 505.424.1850 (SF Solid Near the Chama River. Honors the legacy of Waste Management Agency). Spanish settlers who first brought lavender www.GreenFireTimes.com Green Fire Times • May 2014 39 Green40 Fire Times • May 2014 www.GreenFireTimes.com