The Acoma Farm Corps began in 2011 as a summer youth program, offering participants a hands-on experience in cultivating crops with traditional Acoma landrace seeds and flood irrigation farming. Over time, the program has evolved into an immersive experience through core areas, which include Acoma’s ancestral agroecological approach to cultivation and land stewardship, the regeneration and rematriation of indigenous landrace seeds, and fostering community and intertribal peer relationships.Throughout the growing season, participants receive a living stipend while engaging in every stage of cultivation—from soil conservation and regeneration practices, seed-saving techniques, traditional and modern irrigation methods, to seed processing and traditional food preparation.

RECLAIMING OUR AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE AND ORIGINAL FOODS

Rooted in one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in North America, Acoma Pueblo’s agricultural knowledge embodies centuries of sustainable stewardship. By passing down these practices through hands-on, experiential learning, we empower emerging farmers to cultivate our traditional, nutrient-dense foods. These original foods are vital not only to our heritage but also to restoring health and healing in our community, helping to address the health disparities we face today.

GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS

With very few farmers left, it is essential for the continuity for Acoma agricultural traditions, seed, and foodways that we have intentional mentorship opportunities.

SEED REGENERATION AND REMATRIATION

Our seeds are the legacy of our ancestors. When we save seed we are preserving generations of labor, abundance, famine, selection, and saving to attain the traits they desired and needed. Color, texture, taste, resilience to the environment and climate are all pieces of our history retained in our cultivars. We propagate, regenerate, rematriate and reunite seeds that have been missing from the community though our program and Community Seed Bank.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY AND ALLIANCE BUILDING

Kinship, community, and collaboration are at the heart of our work. Before the imposition of currency-based economies, our communities thrived through economies of care, reciprocity, and trade networks that supported our people and ensured resilience through countless challenges. The farmer mentor and peer networks built within our program enhance community spirit, foster learning, and provide vital resources that strengthen our collective well-being.

2024 Acoma Farm Corps Annual Report