DE LA TIERRA A LA COSECHA
(From Earth to Harvest)
Sustaining the land, water, food and culture of
Northern New Mexico
A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT OF THE TAOS COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, TAOS LAND TRUST AND TAOS VALLEY ACEQUIA ASSOCIATION
Northern New Mexico is as famous
for a distinctive cultural landscape of
ancient villages, acequias, and farmlands
as it is for its vast and inspiring natural
landscape. It is an old and intimate relationship
between land and culture that
makes this region what it is.
This landscape fuels much of the local
economy, supports the unique land-based
traditions of centuries-old communities,
protects biodiversity, and still holds
great potential to grow food for local
food security. But it is all at risk.
Agricultural land is disappearing at an
alarming rate. Over a ten-year period there
was an 18 percent reduction in farms
nationwide, meanwhile Taos County has
had a 29 percent reduction. Private lands
like these throughout the West are also
sanctuaries for biodiversity, containing
more than 60% of remaining populations
of threatened and endangered species.
The Hawk Conservation Easement, San Cristobal - Taos Land Trust has protected this 550 acre property since 1995.
As local farmers and ranchers lose
their property to development, it
removes land from food production,
unravels centuries of tradition, and
diminishes both biological diversity and
cultural diversity.
Taos Land Trust has partnered with the Taos County Economic Development
Corporation and
Taos Valley Acequia Association to develop De la Tierra a la
Cosecha, promoting profitable family
farming and ranching and local food
security, which in turn helps sustain
local lands and land-based culture.
PARTNERSHIP
Taos Land Trust works to sustain the
land and land-based traditions using conservation easements
and other tools that can help local landowners resist
the powerful tide of development. Taos County Economic Development Corporation supports
food, land, water, and cultures of the people of northern New
Mexico by promoting small food-business development rooted
in cultural traditions. Taos Valley Acequia
Association promotes the long-term sustainability of
traditional agricultural communities by protecting
water rights and preserving and strengthening the
acequia system, providing both water and social
cohesion for centuries.
Together, the three partners bring over 60 years
of experience and a large collection of tools
to address land and water conservation,
sustainable agriculture, and locally appropriate
economic development. De la Tierra helps
local landowners keep their family lands
intact and undeveloped, helps create a
livable income from farms and ranches,
encourages the production of local food
for local consumption, and helps sustain
unique traditions and cultural diversity.
All of which makes our community
a richer and healthier place for everyone.
Contact any of our three organizations for more information about how we can help you make a sustainable livelihood on the land while keeping it open and undeveloped. Because asphalt is your last crop. Download the De la Tierra brochure here.
Read more about De la Tierra a la Cosecha:
"Better Together: Land Trusts Win by Collaborating," Saving Land, Winter 2011
“Coalition works to safeguard the future of ranching and farming in Northern New Mexico,” Santa Fe New Mexican, June 9, 2009
“Land Trusts and Local Foods: A Natural Partnership,” Saving Land, Spring 2008
“Cultivating Land and Culture,” A Report on The Future of Land Conservation in America, A Special Issue of Exchange, Fall 2007 |
