I watched a documentary not long ago on the adverse effects of fast food and the resistance of younger generations to traditional ways, which is resulting in the shrinkage of the Blue Zone of Coast Rica. I'm happy to learn there is cooperation in enlivening the three sisters.
Did not know this is what we’re taking about with Milpa. So cool to learn about the cooperation between Colombia and the Mayan nation to share best practices. (Fun side note: I wrote a few pieces for the Tico Times when we lived in CR.)
Wow - love that Damon! Knew you were in CR, what part? Have been to San Jose, flew into there, then west coast Jaco and the rainforest preserve further south.Friends of mine usually head north nearer to volcano.
We mostly lived in Tamarindo, in Guanacaste near Nicaragua. But we started in the central valley, in the sister city to Chepe (San Jose): Heredia. We lived just outside Jaco for a few months too. Your friends go to the city near Volcan Arenal, La Fortuna, and I think you went to Manual Antonio.
Quite a bit! My friend went first to Arenal, then last year she went to a really neat coastal pueblo where there was a yoga retreat nearby. I'll ask her the name of it.She loved it. Yes, Manuel Antonio. Someday I'll write about our experience in CR. But so much Mexico to cover first ): And an Amazon article in a couple weeks.
Thank you! Finally I posted my "Braiding Sweetgrass" article, Clarice. I realized Native American Heritage day was on my post day, and it timed in perfectly. Plus new info was coming out about the seed banks, which I thought was an important addition. In the past few weeks, 2 other writers have also mentioned Sweetgrass. I love that her book, 7 yrs after publication in 2013, went on the NYT bestseller list in 2020 for 241 weeks!
Loved this Jeanine! The history of the Three Sisters and the destruction of them and its impact culturally, societally, and I believe nutritionally as well.
Thanks Marlo. It all converged - from reading Braiding Sweetgrass a year or so ago, then seeing the Yucatán Times article about loss of ingredients which is really sad, and then remembering our first neighbors (who moved to WI a while ago) who were Fulbright scholars studying milpas. And also reading about the milpa, how it worked. And voila! I love that the communities have seed banks. Appreciate your comments and thanks for reading, as always!
Thanks for this reminder that our successful companies can work together with native people to strengthen communities. Who would have thought of John Deere. Onward!
Of course I wondered too, but they have definitely always been invested in future farmers. These future farmers are just in a different region of the Americas.
Thanks Katrina, yes indeed, seed banks. I was so pleasantly surprised to read the Maya are well ahead of the game on that, each little community. And Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer just hit such a chord. I just read her book, 7 years after it was first published in 2013, so in 2020, made the NYTimes Bestseller list -- for, get this, 241 weeks!!! Appreciate your comment and reading my post, gracias.
I actually bought that book for my mum, opened to random chapter and started to read it and I was oh my gosh I need to get another copy as I had to post it to my mum on other side of world. I did buy another copy but I’ve been so distracted by other books but I’ve been meaning to start reading Braiding Sweetgrass. Definitely aiming to read it over the holidays
Oh so glad you think so! I wasn’t sure if you’d like it as you said you didn’t read a lot of fiction. Let me know eventually what you think. I find myself referring back to it.
Yeah I don’t mind books that use a story to describe a philosophy. I remember reading Celestine prophecy when I was 18 and loved that sort of narration
Omg just looked up this book and it sounds sooo good! I need to get it now haha! Another book to read! I need a bookstore to sponsor me haha. It has two other books after it. Have you read the others ?
Sadly I write about the Amazon in about 3 posts. But the info needs to get out there. Thanks for reading and also the Suzuki book. I’ll look it up. Also have you ever read Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn? Fiction-allegory but super potent. It was the Utne Reader’s best book of decade from 1990-2000.
It's pretty amazing, and I love that she wrote it over 20 years ago, and that society, just recently, caught up w/ her--and with the genius of indigenous agriculture -- which has existed for a millennium, at least, most likely much longer.
Yup! I read another book written in 1997, called Wisdom of the Elders by David Suzuki, and basically it goes through several different current indigenous cultures from all around the world and the relationship they have with nature, which we have rebranded as “sustainability” but they’ve had that relationship with nature long before it became trendy. It’s a book I’ll always keep as a reference. It makes you wonder why indigenous races were targeted and some completely wiped out, to think of the wisdom they had acquired over thousands of years observing their traditions. Nowadays, in modern society it’s hard to think of a tradition we have that dates back to primordial times. All our traditions have been rebranded with a capitalistic slant. It’s sad! We need to preserve as much as we can now before we loose what remains, especially with the younger generations who become more removed from their ancestral heritage, blinded by the dazzling lights of screens
Priya! You know how much I love these serendipitous moments! That is incredible!! I just mentioned to another Substacker who it also resonated w/ that Kimmerer's book was published in 2013, to small acclaim. In 2020, 7 yrs after its release, it was on the NYTimes Bestseller list, and stayed there for 241 WEEKS!
Jeanine, as you said it would this post absolutely speaks to me at this very moment. Three Sisters will be on my table this Sunday and it has been in different forms for years--long before i had any idea there was a story behind it. I am immersing myself these days in trying to get to an indigenous way of eating and cooking. The Sioux Chef, Sean Sherman, James Beard Award winning chef and restaurateur in Minneapolis is on a mission to bring awareness to these ancient foods and ways of eating and practicing agriculture. And you have spread such gospel here! The quote from Robin Wall Kimmerer almost made me cry, what poetry: "wordlessly in leaf and vine..." Thank you, Jeanine for another beautifully written, thoughtful post.
Oh, thank you so much, Nadine. So happy you're enjoying it. Our initial pass at understanding milpas, which I should have added to the article, were our first neighbors in PM-Laurie and Alberto, young Fulbright scholars studying milpas. Of course I'd never heard of them, but they're all across the Yucatan. I also finally read Braiding Sweetgrass, which has been out for a decade (!) at least, and she self-published--and it just keeps on giving. I guess w/ so many people now becoming aware of the importance of our food and the ingredients. Again, thanks for reading!
Oh that’s great, Nadine! Actually after remembering that, I added it to my opening bc I think it’s an important piece of info on how long —in some way, shape or form—I’ve been aware of milpas. Thank you!! You helped me better personalize the experience. When they first tried to explain it to us, it was crazy bc i simply couldn’t understand it. They were young and kind though, and thorough. Nice people. I wonder what they did with their masters on that topic.He was from CDMX and she— Wisconsin.
I watched a documentary not long ago on the adverse effects of fast food and the resistance of younger generations to traditional ways, which is resulting in the shrinkage of the Blue Zone of Coast Rica. I'm happy to learn there is cooperation in enlivening the three sisters.
It is sad. It’s heartening when hearing more positive action. Thank you for sharing.
Great synchronicity. Paulette. Though sad. Guess fast food—the bane of existence.
Did not know this is what we’re taking about with Milpa. So cool to learn about the cooperation between Colombia and the Mayan nation to share best practices. (Fun side note: I wrote a few pieces for the Tico Times when we lived in CR.)
Wow - love that Damon! Knew you were in CR, what part? Have been to San Jose, flew into there, then west coast Jaco and the rainforest preserve further south.Friends of mine usually head north nearer to volcano.
We mostly lived in Tamarindo, in Guanacaste near Nicaragua. But we started in the central valley, in the sister city to Chepe (San Jose): Heredia. We lived just outside Jaco for a few months too. Your friends go to the city near Volcan Arenal, La Fortuna, and I think you went to Manual Antonio.
How much did I get right?
Quite a bit! My friend went first to Arenal, then last year she went to a really neat coastal pueblo where there was a yoga retreat nearby. I'll ask her the name of it.She loved it. Yes, Manuel Antonio. Someday I'll write about our experience in CR. But so much Mexico to cover first ): And an Amazon article in a couple weeks.
Fascinating story. Hopefully the people will be able to preserve their traditional foods--despite so many challenges from the modern world.
Thank you! Finally I posted my "Braiding Sweetgrass" article, Clarice. I realized Native American Heritage day was on my post day, and it timed in perfectly. Plus new info was coming out about the seed banks, which I thought was an important addition. In the past few weeks, 2 other writers have also mentioned Sweetgrass. I love that her book, 7 yrs after publication in 2013, went on the NYT bestseller list in 2020 for 241 weeks!
That is wonderful about Robin's book--I didn't know that before. It's so well-deserved.
Thank you for this Jeanine, beautifully put together. Happy Belated Thanksgiving 🦃🌱
Thanks so much, Diana. I write about the Amazon river basin in late December. Another eye-opener but one I’m sure we’re all aware of.
Thanks for the great article, Jeanine. As the 1970 cartoon for Earth Day stated: "We have met the enemy and he is us." See https://www.google.com/search?q=we+have+met+the+enemy+and+he+is+us&rlz=1C1EXJR_enMX904MX904&oq=we+have+met&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyCQgBEEUYORiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIHCAUQABiABDIHCAYQLhiABDIHCAcQABiABDIHCAgQABiABDIHCAkQABiABNIBCDU0ODZqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Sigh. So true, Mikel. I love that ancient systems are getting some limelight.
Loved this Jeanine! The history of the Three Sisters and the destruction of them and its impact culturally, societally, and I believe nutritionally as well.
Thanks Marlo. It all converged - from reading Braiding Sweetgrass a year or so ago, then seeing the Yucatán Times article about loss of ingredients which is really sad, and then remembering our first neighbors (who moved to WI a while ago) who were Fulbright scholars studying milpas. And also reading about the milpa, how it worked. And voila! I love that the communities have seed banks. Appreciate your comments and thanks for reading, as always!
Really interesting, Jeanine. 'Big Food' has a lot to answer for
Thanks Marco&Sabrina. Yes, they certainly do.
Thanks for this reminder that our successful companies can work together with native people to strengthen communities. Who would have thought of John Deere. Onward!
Yes, quite amazing. I hate to be the skeptic, but I just pray they have the best interests of the Maya at heart.
Of course I wondered too, but they have definitely always been invested in future farmers. These future farmers are just in a different region of the Americas.
Oh, that's good to know Jennifer. That makes me feel better.
https://about.deere.com/en-us/our-company-and-purpose/customer-support-and-advocacy/national-ffa
This is great Jennifer. When I was little we lived in the country for a while and the boys were all in FFA. I guess John Deere has heart!!
Brilliant write up on a very critical topic of discussion at the moment that needs to be more at the forefront of our awareness!
Seed banks instead of digital currency banks! That’s how I see the future of our survival
Great!
Thanks Katrina, yes indeed, seed banks. I was so pleasantly surprised to read the Maya are well ahead of the game on that, each little community. And Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer just hit such a chord. I just read her book, 7 years after it was first published in 2013, so in 2020, made the NYTimes Bestseller list -- for, get this, 241 weeks!!! Appreciate your comment and reading my post, gracias.
I actually bought that book for my mum, opened to random chapter and started to read it and I was oh my gosh I need to get another copy as I had to post it to my mum on other side of world. I did buy another copy but I’ve been so distracted by other books but I’ve been meaning to start reading Braiding Sweetgrass. Definitely aiming to read it over the holidays
Oh so glad you think so! I wasn’t sure if you’d like it as you said you didn’t read a lot of fiction. Let me know eventually what you think. I find myself referring back to it.
Yeah I don’t mind books that use a story to describe a philosophy. I remember reading Celestine prophecy when I was 18 and loved that sort of narration
As mentioned it’s allegory. Starts out kind of weird but his point is the givers and the takers of the world.
Omg just looked up this book and it sounds sooo good! I need to get it now haha! Another book to read! I need a bookstore to sponsor me haha. It has two other books after it. Have you read the others ?
Sadly I write about the Amazon in about 3 posts. But the info needs to get out there. Thanks for reading and also the Suzuki book. I’ll look it up. Also have you ever read Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn? Fiction-allegory but super potent. It was the Utne Reader’s best book of decade from 1990-2000.
No never heard of the book Ishmael but I’ll look it up. I rarely read fiction books, but I’ll check it out
It's pretty amazing, and I love that she wrote it over 20 years ago, and that society, just recently, caught up w/ her--and with the genius of indigenous agriculture -- which has existed for a millennium, at least, most likely much longer.
Yup! I read another book written in 1997, called Wisdom of the Elders by David Suzuki, and basically it goes through several different current indigenous cultures from all around the world and the relationship they have with nature, which we have rebranded as “sustainability” but they’ve had that relationship with nature long before it became trendy. It’s a book I’ll always keep as a reference. It makes you wonder why indigenous races were targeted and some completely wiped out, to think of the wisdom they had acquired over thousands of years observing their traditions. Nowadays, in modern society it’s hard to think of a tradition we have that dates back to primordial times. All our traditions have been rebranded with a capitalistic slant. It’s sad! We need to preserve as much as we can now before we loose what remains, especially with the younger generations who become more removed from their ancestral heritage, blinded by the dazzling lights of screens
In a totally synchronistic fashion, I heard about the three sisters today and then got on Substack and found your post. Thank you, Jeanine!
Priya! You know how much I love these serendipitous moments! That is incredible!! I just mentioned to another Substacker who it also resonated w/ that Kimmerer's book was published in 2013, to small acclaim. In 2020, 7 yrs after its release, it was on the NYTimes Bestseller list, and stayed there for 241 WEEKS!
Jeanine, as you said it would this post absolutely speaks to me at this very moment. Three Sisters will be on my table this Sunday and it has been in different forms for years--long before i had any idea there was a story behind it. I am immersing myself these days in trying to get to an indigenous way of eating and cooking. The Sioux Chef, Sean Sherman, James Beard Award winning chef and restaurateur in Minneapolis is on a mission to bring awareness to these ancient foods and ways of eating and practicing agriculture. And you have spread such gospel here! The quote from Robin Wall Kimmerer almost made me cry, what poetry: "wordlessly in leaf and vine..." Thank you, Jeanine for another beautifully written, thoughtful post.
Thanks for restack Daniel!!
Thanks ... saving this one since I'm hoping to make it Xochimilco in March. The ancient ag technologies are fascinating.
Truly Joyce!! Excited for you—and Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!
Nice post thanks Jeanine.
Thank you, David!
I can't believe I didn't know squash was so important! Thank you for continuing to educate me, Jeanine.
Oh, thank you so much, Nadine. So happy you're enjoying it. Our initial pass at understanding milpas, which I should have added to the article, were our first neighbors in PM-Laurie and Alberto, young Fulbright scholars studying milpas. Of course I'd never heard of them, but they're all across the Yucatan. I also finally read Braiding Sweetgrass, which has been out for a decade (!) at least, and she self-published--and it just keeps on giving. I guess w/ so many people now becoming aware of the importance of our food and the ingredients. Again, thanks for reading!
I feel like a I got a special nugget in this comment ;) thank you for sharing! And I'm looking up Braiding Sweetgrass now...
Oh that’s great, Nadine! Actually after remembering that, I added it to my opening bc I think it’s an important piece of info on how long —in some way, shape or form—I’ve been aware of milpas. Thank you!! You helped me better personalize the experience. When they first tried to explain it to us, it was crazy bc i simply couldn’t understand it. They were young and kind though, and thorough. Nice people. I wonder what they did with their masters on that topic.He was from CDMX and she— Wisconsin.
Agreed! I'm glad you did that. I'm flattered to have helped a little.
Sad, but it’s the way of the world.
I spent 2 years in Borneo pushing modern agricultural practices.
Each village had “its” strain of rice. They grew one crop a year with monsoon rains controlling when and how.
I and others introduced IR-8, a rice strain that double yield and could be double cropped for 2 yields a year.
IR-8 is an ugly short plant that produces a bland rice.
It’s “progress”.
Thank you for your input, Jim. Appreciate it.
You’re welcome. All of this has already happened to Europe and USA.
So sad.