Our excitement and enthusiasm for opportunities in our community continues to build and grow! For the past three years we have been developing a model farm that heals the soil with the intentional use of microbiology, composting, and organic practices. Our model is used as an example for local Navajo and Zuni tribal reservations in western New Mexico to role model a sustainable way of life through organic farming and food preservation. Each year we increase the quantity and quality of our produce, as well as use less water, which is a critical step when growing food in the high arid Colorado Plateau.
Covenant Pathways, as an organization, has experienced rapid growth and rapid exposure on a local and national level this past year. Over 300 people came through our farm to experience contemporary organic permaculture that incorporates growing foods with the soil microbiology. As a result, many expressed an interest in growing their own food and reclaiming their cultural traditions. The tours have been a tool to generate discussions about soil microbiology for both indigenous Native families as well as the larger community. The farm has provided an opportunity to host discussions regarding soil microbiology, cultural traditions and the development of nutrient dense food products. Our hope is to develop projects that provide Indigenous health outcomes in both the short and long term. We are up against one of the greatest challenges in our country. There is a great need to decolonize our approach to accessing and consuming food, and the necessity to reteach and reintroduce historical foods that are organic in nature and high in nutrients is tremendous.
Conversations have started with local grocery stores, farmers markets, nonprofits and other organizations to make higher nutritional value foods more accessible, more affordable, and provide more market opportunities for growers. These meetings have stirred up excitement and opened doors for us as an organization, as well as others who have been in the struggle for many years. This year we held 12 classes on the soil microbiology, composting, gardening, sustainability and food preservation; assisted 10 Native families and other homestead families with their organic biological gardens; started 6 small chicken farms on the Navajo and Zuni reservations; as well as employed several tribal members to learn and work at the farm.
In 2018, Covenant Pathways plans to continue the farm tours and increase awareness of the connection between traditions and farming practices by outreach and workshops to Navajo and Zuni families, organizations, and schools in New Mexico and Arizona. These activities will lay the groundwork for hands on experience. Covenant Pathways is now in its last push of research and shoring up partnerships with Indigenous Lifeways and other organizations that will create the materials for Native Communities. In some instances new words will need to be created in the Navajo language. The materials will help explain how microbiology fits into the cultural understanding of the cycle of life. The materials will include coloring books for children, and resource books and materials for young people and adults.
We want to continue our outreach to provide food for local families. This past February we provided bags of food for 30 families. We know the food drives are a temporary solution and a necessary outreach to those who have so very little during these difficult and cold months. Our next food drive is planned for the end of December. The end of every month is a difficult time for many Native families and often their cupboards become empty. While making a follow up visit to a Navajo home recently, a community worker was making conversation with a young boy and asked him what he had for dinner the night before. She was curious as to how healthy, or unhealthy, his meal might have been. The young boy replied, “It wasn’t my turn to eat.” These children are right in our back yard.
Covenant Pathways will be receiving donations of food items and money. We also need volunteers to purchase the food with the donations we receive, box the food, and deliver it. If you are able to assist in any way, please let us know. We have gifts for the girls, but are in need of gifts for the boys.
Thanks for being a part of our year. Thank you for your time, donations, thoughts, prayers and conversations!!!! We are anticipating new and exciting opportunities in 2018.
