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2015 Autumn | Agriculture and Food Systems, Environmental Justice

The Preservation of San Luis Valley’s Heirloom Maize through Place-Based Knowledge, Youth Engagement, and Community Engagement

Student(s):

Rocio Evelin Carranza Jacinto

Program or Department(s):

  • Program on the Environment
  • University of Washington

Site supervisor(s):

Shirley Romero Otero

Partner(s):

  • Acequia Institute

Faculty advisor(s):

Devon G. Pena

My internship was located in the San Luis Valley, containing some of the oldest and sustainable agricultural practices that protect heirloom maize landraces. My results highlighted that by connecting the communities’ input for the Costilla County’s ‘Center of Origin’ GMO-Free Zone of Protection Ordinance, and engaging the Move Mountains Youth, I was able to engage the entire community as long as the project related back to place-based knowledge. This is important because San Luis can be seen as a model to other “Center of Origins” wanting to ban GMOs, for equitable food systems, and for biodiversity.