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LinkedInTorres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe members create a healthy garden
At the end of February, before COVID-19 disrupted normal life, members of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe, in a remote area of Riverside County, gathered to plant vegetables and herbs in the A'Avutem (elders) garden.
Six raised garden boxes were installed several years ago with funding from the California Rural Indian Health Board, but stood empty. UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor Chutima Ganthavorn and vegetable crops advisor Jose Aguiar obtained approval from the Tribal Council to engage the Youth Council in planting a new garden with seniors.
This intergenerational group planted chili peppers, bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, corn, mint, basil and lemon grass Feb. 27. Select tribal members, including three youth and six seniors, harvested produce on the morning of May 12. While wearing masks and practicing social distance protocols, they harvested three boxes of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and chili peppers.
"It is really nice to see the fruit of their efforts," Ganthavorn said.
Comments:
We want to thank Chutima and Jose for all the hard work they put in to help us get this garden started.
We also what to thank Beverlyann Cedeno and Columba Quintero of the Torres-Martinez Grants Department for pushing this out and not giving up.
This is just a start that we plan to continue with with our A'Avutem (Elder) and Torres-Martinez Youth Council.
Alowah
Gary Wayne Resvaloso Jr
Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians
Tribal Council Member, Proxy
A big thank you to the Tribal Council as well for all the support! This project would not have been possible without the enthusiasm from the tribal elders and members of the Torres Martinez Youth Council. It's been a great pleasure to work with Columba, Beverly and you all.
UCANR and CalFresh Healthy Living, UCCE Riverside County value our partnership with the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla people and look forward to working together in the future.
Alowah/Achama!
Chutima
Excellent community driven work Chutima and Jose.
Posted by Susana Matias on May 19, 2020 at 11:51 AM