Agri-Culture Journal #21
We too are seeds…
The acequias are running again, they are cleaned, neighbors helping neighbors, making sure the flow is unblocked so the waters can feed the planted fields. It’s a new growing season and so one never knows what is around the corner, will the water last the season, will the grasshoppers return like last year to eat their way through the crops, will the heat become so intense that the plants suffer? Each year brings a renewed learning.
We live in unprecedented times. We hold, in our hearts, chance and hope when putting those precious seeds in the soil. Perhaps it is the unknowing, the mystery that brings us to this natural cycle. To learn anew.
This special edition of the SeedBroadcast Agri-Culture Journal is now published to celebrate the 10th year of the initial vision for this publication. It has been an incredible journey with submissions coming to us from all over the world, comprising of poetry, essays, photographs, and insights from invited guests, most of whom have contributed to the journal in the past. It is a magical mix of thoughts, visions, musings from “Planting Seeds in my Husband’s Body” by Beverly Naidus to Christian Leahy’s poignant story “Heart of the Empire”.
mid-15c., "tillage, cultivation of large areas of land to provide food," from Late Latin agricultura "cultivation of the land," a contraction of agri cultura "cultivation of land," from agri, genitive of ager "a field" (from PIE root *agro- "field") + cultura "cultivation" (see culture (n.)). In Old English, the idea could be expressed by eorðtilþ.
How does this word “agriculture “fit with our vision. Is it the right word, does it make one think only of food production? We hope not, as we are attempting to broaden the definition of this word. To make a distinction we hyphenate the word agri-Culture and emphasize the C in Culture. The saving and planting of our precious ancient seeds is vital to preserve the diversity, to ensure food security but also to regenerate the land that we have overused, and under appreciated. We extracted what we needed and have not given back. So, the importance of cover crops, the planting of native grasses and flowers, the health of the soil, all tie with our cultural ways of being. Agri-Culture.
This issue is dedicated with deep bow of gratitude: to Brett Bakker, a passionate native seed saver, seed advocate and conservationist. He grew seeds for Native Seed/ SEARCH and assembled a bank of traditional southwestern seeds. He spent years visiting and building relationships with Native New Mexico farmers to learn, listen to stories and share seeds. You can listen to Brett’s seed Story here.
Brett’s passion for seed advocacy will be sorely missed. Brett you taught us so much.
The printed versions of this edition can be found at your local Co-ops, farmers markets and you might even find a surprise in your CSA! Do look out for them and let us know what you think.
A digital version is also available to read or download from our journal archive.
Our 22nd edition will be published in the Autumn of 2024,
the deadline is September 30th 2024.
There is information on how to submit in the Journal.
A huge shout out and thank you to all who contributed to this edition: Alyce Santoro, Judyth Hill, Carol Padberg, Hollis Moore, Frances Whitehead, Andrea Reynosa, Ana MacArthur, Diane Wilson, Ruth Wallen, Iren Schio, Joan Logghe, Sara Wright, Sue Oldham, Quinn Jonas, Deirdre O’Mahony, Christian Leahy, Nancy Sutor, Beverley Naidus, Christine Mackey, Sharon Stewart, and Jeanette Hart-Mann.
In solidarity and health
SeedBroadcast