MARCH/APRIL 2020 A RENEWABLE FUTURE FOR NEW MEXICO - Green Fire Times
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MARCH/APRIL 2020 A RENEWABLE FUTURE FOR NEW MEXICO
. Food Is Medicine
. Sustainability for Strategic Growth
. New Mexico’s Wind Power Growing
. Traditional Medicine in Modern Times
VOLUME 12 NUMBER 2 GREENFIRETIMES.COM
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GREEN FIRE TIMES
News & Views from the Sustainable Southwest
V O L U M E 1 2 N O . 2 M A R C H/A P R I L 2 0 2 0
CONTENTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY / SUSTAINABILITY
ACCELERATING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FOR A RENEWABLE FUTURE FOR NEW MEXICO – TIM RAPHAEL / 4
NEW MEXICO’S WIND POWER GROWING – SETH ROFFMAN / 6
SOLAR NEWSBITES / 8
SUSTAINABILITY FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH – CAROLYN PARRS / 8
REGIONAL FOOD & AGRICULTURE
2020 NEW MEXICO FOOD & FARM DAY AWARDS / 10
LIMPIA DAYS – POKI PIOTTIN / 11
HEMP PRODUCTION IN NEW MEXICO / 12
OP-ED: JESSICA SWAN – WHO WILL FEED US? / 13
LA FONDA DEL SOL – ALEJANDRO LÓPEZ / 14
HEALTH, WELLNESS AND TRADITIONAL HEALING ARTS
FOOD IS MEDICINE – LORRAINE KAHNERATOKWAS GRAY / 15
TEACHING ANCESTRAL, FOLK AND HERBAL MEDICINE IN TAOS – MORGAINE WITRIOL / 17
TRADITIONAL MEDICINE IN MODERN TIMES – PATRICIO DOMINGUEZ / 20
THE EVOLUTION OF MEDICINE AND CULTURAL CARETAKING – COURTNI “STARHEART” HALE / 21
EMPOWERING PERSONAL IMMUNITY WITH SELF CARE – JAPA K. KHALSA / 22
OP-ED: JACK LOEFFLER – HEALING CONSCIOUSNESS / 24
OP-ED: LENA HAKIM – NM SHOULD GRANT RIVERS A RIGHT TO THEIR OWN WATER / 26
NEWSBITES / 8, 12, 26, 27, 28
WHAT’S GOING ON / 29, 30, 31
GREENFIRETIMES.COM 3
gy Transition Act (ETA), transitioning New Mexico away from coal and toward
RENEWABLE ENERGY / SUSTAINABILITY
renewable energy. The ETA sets a statewide renewable energy standard of 50
percent by 2030, 80 percent by 2040 and zero-carbon resources by 2045 (rural
electric cooperatives have until 2050). The ETA also includes economic and
workforce support for communities impacted by the transition from coal.
This session, legislation to restore the residential and commercial solar tax credit
and allow the use of Industrial Revenue Bonds for transmission will further
signal the state’s commitment to pursuing a community-driven approach to re-
newable energy development. We still need to enact a community solar program
that expands the adoption of solar energy generation for renters and others who
ordinarily could not install solar systems.
Forward-looking policy, like the ETA, is just one leg of the three-legged stool
needed to support a clean-energy future and the promise of a more vibrant,
diversified economy with good-paying jobs for New Mexicans. Gov. Lujan
Grisham and the Legislature deserve credit for setting benchmarks for boosting
the use of renewable energy in our state’s electricity mix and reducing carbon
Accelerating Infrastructure emissions, but there is more to be done.
Development for a Renewable Consistent policy sends the
Future for New Mexico
BY TIM RAPHAEL
In 2018, NM brought in right signal for helping attract
the second leg of the stool—
private capital ready to invest
The view from the mesa behind my house in the Embudo Valley is pure over $3 billion in capital in renewable energy projects
that tap our abundant solar
New Mexico. Piñon- and juniper-dotted hills roll east, bowing before Jicarita
Peak, Truchas and the cathedral of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The Río investment from its 18 and wind resources. Wind and
solar projects are already help-
Embudo and its acequias and cottonwoods green the view of the village of
Dixon to the south, and to the southwest and west, the Jemez Mountains wind projects alone. ing keep family farmers and
ranchers on the land in New
and the Río Grande gorge are layered in exploding sunsets.
Mexico, creating family-wage
As sublime as I see it, there are other pieces of this postcard that usually go jobs and new revenue for local
unmentioned—a state highway, the cell and radio towers above Horse Race schools and public services, while generating enough electricity to power more
Mesa, and in the distance, electric transmission lines. Visitors in past centu- than 700,000 homes.
ries surely would have noted more water in the Embudo, more piñon, more
wildlife and a more reliable snowpack lighting the mountaintops. In 2018, New Mexico brought in over $3 billion in capital investment from its 18
wind projects alone, according to the American Wind Energy Association. And
I’m sure every New Mexican has a favorite view and suspect we all distill each year, wind energy projects generate $8.5 million in state and local revenue
what we see just a bit to suit our own aesthetic sense, and well-being. There payments. That means local governments have more resources to fund com-
are few, if any, poems written about transmission lines after all, but it may be munity priorities like public education, transportation and public safety without
time for that to change. burdening taxpayers.
New Mexico has some of the richest wind and solar resources in the The economic transformation associated with renewable development is tru-
country, but the hard truth is they are stranded without new transmission to ly statewide, in rural and urban communities, and includes the wind farms of
connect them to markets. New Mexico simply must accelerate the construc- eastern New Mexico, community college wind and solar technician programs in
tion of new transmission infrastructure to realize our best hope for a more Tucumcari and Albuquerque, commercial and residential solar installers in Las
sustainable and prosperous future. Cruces and Santa Fe, researchers, environmental engineers, financial service pro-
viders and Main Street businesses benefiting from new construction and mainte-
The obvious challenge is that not everyone wants a transmission line in their nance of renewable energy projects.
community. Without better public understanding of the need for new trans-
mission and a commitment to get lines permitted and built, we cannot hope In rural communities, renewable energy jobs pay on average 40 percent more
to meet our goals for carbon-free electricity and combating climate change. than other jobs, so families have the option to stay and work in communities they
We’ll also lose out on billions of dollars of clean-energy investment. What call home rather than having to leave to find good-paying jobs elsewhere.
will it take for us to adjust our aesthetics and accept, embrace and even find However, to truly maximize the economic, environmental and community ben-
beauty in renewable energy infrastructure? Can we find poetry in transmis- efits of renewable energy for all of New Mexico, we need the third leg of the
sion lines dedicated to clean electricity? stool—infrastructure—and that requires our urgent attention.
THE NEED TO ACCELERATE RENEWABLE ENERGY
MAXIMIZING THE ENVIRONMENTAL, ECONOMIC
TRANSMISSION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
New Mexico’s existing electrical transmission grid does not extend to key areas
New Mexico took a giant step forward in 2019 to diversify its economy and
of the state for renewable energy development. Expanding that infrastructure is
tackle climate change by embracing renewable energy and advanced clean
critical to unlocking the state’s wind and solar potential.
technologies. Gov. Lujan Grisham committed the state to climate-change
One example, the Western Spirit Transmission Project, embodies both the
action with her January executive order, and the Legislature passed the Ener-
potential and the challenge of building a more prosperous future for our state.
4 GREENFIRETIMES.COM MARCH/APRIL 2020
The 145-mile line will collect renewable power from central New
Mexico and deliver approximately 1,000 megawatts of electricity to It’s time for a shift of perspective vocal opponents puts
elected officials at odds
PNM’s planned Pajarito Substation near Albuquerque. It will enable
over $1.5 billion of new, renewable-generation projects that would on transmission in New Mexico. with the interests of
broader community and
not otherwise be built due to limitations of the existing electric the long-term benefits of
transmission grid. According to the New Mexico Renewable Energy the entire state.
Transmission Authority (RETA), Western Spirit will generate $28
million in property taxes. It’s time for a shift of perspective on transmission in New Mexico. The word infrastructure may
lull you to sleep, but there is nothing boring about our potential to fight climate change and
Because it aligns so well with the state’s economic development and provide a more sustainable and prosperous future for communities across New Mexico.
renewable energy policy goals, the Western Spirit Transmission line
is a top priority for the Lujan Grisham administration. It has been ReNew Mexico is the only statewide coalition focused solely on renewable energy development
sited with careful review of known cultural and water resources, through community action and community voices. We want a renewable-energy future that
habitat and wildlife corridors and other important considerations. reflects New Mexico values, and we are driven by the power, potential and proof behind what
The project has worked closely with tribal councils, local govern- renewable energy development can deliver to communities in need of innovation, economic ex-
ments and landowners, and a right-of-way has been secured by pansion and a cleaner future. We use education, technical assistance and advocacy to help New
negotiating easements with landowners. Easements allow landown- Mexico communities break ground on renewable energy projects that emphasize local econom-
ers to use their property as they always have—farmers and ranchers ic, employment and environmental benefits.
will continue to farm and ranch, and hunting and other recreation
activities are compatible with the right-of-way. ReNew Mexico is committed to community-based and utility scale projects that include smart
Despite the promise of jobs and revenue, and despite a transmis- siting decisions, partnerships to boost local revenue and jobs and opportunities to add value to
sion alignment projects, like co-locating transmission and broadband services for rural communities.
Without a commitment that has the
support of We’ve only just begun to realize the potential for renewable generation in New Mexico. I urge
to get lines permitted and willing land-
owners to
everyone to go to our website to learn more about Western Spirit and other solar, wind and
infrastructure projects worth supporting. By redoubling our efforts to move forward on needed
built, we cannot meet grant ease-
ments, a few
infrastructure, we can build on our successful start to diversifying our economy and benefiting
all New Mexicans. ¢
our goals for carbon-free local govern-
ments have
electricity and combating
yet to come Tim Raphael is state coordinator of ReNew Mexico, a citizen-driv-
on board and en group dedicated to supporting the development of renewable energy
embrace the projects and related infrastructure throughout New Mexico.
climate change. project. Cater-
ing to a few
www.renewmexico.org
Electrical Transmission Tower
GREENFIRETIMES.COM 5
LEG I S L ATI V E LE A D E R S H I P
New M exi co ’ s
FO R A R E N E WA B LE E N E RGY F U T U R E
BY TIM RAPHAEL
Wind Power
Three state legislators, representing different political parties
and different communities across New Mexico, deserve credit for
Gr ow i n g
BY SETH ROFFMAN
their leadership understanding the urgent need for new transmission
infrastructure to maximize the economic, environmental and community
benefits of renewable energy development. New Mexico is one of the fastest-growing wind producers in the nation,
adding wind capacity at a more rapid rate than any other state. According
State Sen. Jacob Candelaria, a Democrat from Albuquerque, State Sen.
Steven Neville, a Republican from Aztec, and State Rep. Nathan Small, to the American Wind Energy Association, wind has provided nearly 19
a Democrat from Las Cruces, came together this legislative session with percent of all in-state electricity production, and as of last summer, the
bills to treat transmission infrastructure like other economic development state had 1,026 wind turbines operating. “Wind projects under construc-
projects and allow cities and counties to use Industrial Revenue Bonds tion or in advanced development are enough to double the state’s cur-
(IRBs) to help finance and tailor projects to local needs. rent installed wind capacity,” the association said. In October 2019, the
group reported that New Mexico had 1,732 megawatts(MW) of installed
House Bill 50 and its companion, Senate Bill 6, accelerate the construction wind-energy capacity, with another 1,447 megawatts under construction
of new transmission infrastructure that connects our rich wind and solar and 1,328 megawatts in advanced development.
resources with in-state and out-of-state markets. The bills allow the use of
IRBs for electric transmission facilities, creating a powerful new tool for Wind jobs are growing more rapidly than all but one other job in the
communities. country—solar. More than 2,000 New Mexicans already work in the
industry. The wind industry hires veterans at a rate 67 percent higher than
Wind and solar energy development in New Mexico have been community–
driven from the start, with a focus on ensuring that renewable energy the national average.
companies attracted by our world-class energy potential invest here to
support healthy, thriving communities with family-wage jobs, respect for LA JOYA WIND FARM
our unique heritage and a commitment to New Mexicans’ cherished air, In September 2019, State Land Office Commissioner Stephanie García
land and water. Richard signed a lease awarding close to 7,000 acres of state trust land in
Torrance County to Pacific Wind Development, LLC. It is estimated that
Before your eyes glaze over at the mention of IRBs, you should understand
energy generated from the project, which is an addition to the La Joya
the critical role they play empowering New Mexico cities and counties
in guiding the economic growth and vitality of their communities and Wind Farm, will be able to power 5,651 homes for a year. Public Service
ensuring that economic development projects are tailored to local needs. Company of New Mexico (PNM) is adding the 140-MW wind farm to its
When a community utilizes IRBs for wind and solar projects, it is able grid in 2020.
to negotiate long-term payments from developers to improve schools,
roads and other local services. Cities and counties should have the same García Richard said. “This lease will benefit New Mexico public schools
opportunity to be at the table with the developers of transmission projects, to the tune of over $8 million during the life of the lease. These proj-
maximizing local benefits and helping move projects forward. ects are vital to helping us diversify the money that we raise to fund our
schools, universities and hospitals.”
HB 50 and SB 6 are an important step forward in giving local communities
the economic development tools they need to grow. Now on to the hard
work of getting needed transmission infrastructure in place and fully SAGAMORE WIND FARM
realizing New Mexico’s potential to lead the way on renewable energy Xcel Energy’s subsidiary Southwestern Public Service’s (SPS) Sagamore
generation. Wind Project in Roosevelt County will be the largest wind farm in New
Mexico. It will house, on 100,000 acres, 240 windmills capable of gener-
ating 522 megawatts of energy, enough to power close to 194,000 typical
homes for the next 25 to 30 years, according to a news release. Construc-
tion on the $900 million project near Portales began in December 2019.
RESOURCES It is expected to become operational in December 2020.
ReNew Mexico: In a statement, Sen. Martin Heinrich said, "The Sagamore Wind Project
www.renewmexico.org represents nearly $1 billion of private investment in eastern New Mexico.
It will create as many as 400 construction jobs and 30 full-time operations
American Wind Energy Association: and technician careers. Local public schools in Dora and Portales will
www.awea.org/Awea/media/Resources/StateFactSheets/New-Mexico.pdf receive millions of dollars in funding from tax revenue generated over the
Solar Energy Industry Association lifetime of the project."
New Mexico Solar Energy Association: Landowners in the area will receive royalties for wind towers erected on
www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/new-mexico-solar their properties. Xcel Energy has agreed to help maintain roads in the
area. Construction and revenue generated by the wind farm will provide
New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority:
an estimated $131.5 million in local and state benefits, plus an additional
nmreta.com
$43 million in gross receipts taxes.
Coalition of Renewable Energy Landowners Association:
crelanm.com
6 GREENFIRETIMES.COM MARCH/APRIL 2020
Wind Farm
“Sagamore will pay for itself in the fuel cost savings it will generate GRADY MARTIN WIND FARM
by using one of the region’s most abundant resources—the wind—to In Curry and Quay counties, a windy region that has been part of a cycle of rural
drive its generators,” David Hudson, president of Xcel Energy–New decline, gleaming white turbines are spinning. The Grady Martin Wind Farm has been
Mexico, Texas, said in a statement. “It will be among the cheap- developed with community support from Apex Clean Energy. Landowner payments
est generating resources on our system and will help us conserve are spread evenly among residents. The project will contribute millions of dollars in
groundwater and protect the environment.” direct and indirect economic benefits.
GLADSTONE WIND FARM OSO GRANDE WIND FARM
The New Mexico State Land Office has signed a lease with PNE The Oso Grand Farm in southeastern New Mexico will include 61 wind turbines.
USA, Inc., an Illinois-based company, to build a wind farm on 7,636 EDF Renewables North America has a build and transfer agreement with Tucson
acres of what has been designated as prime wind- generation land Electric Power for the 247.4-MW project. When completed this year, it is expected to
close to two transmission lines in Union and Colfax counties. Part meet the consumption needs of nearly 100,000 homes. ¢
of the Gladstone Wind Farm will be on 8,000 acres of private land.
The portion on state trust land is expected to generate 31 megawatts
of electricity from 11 turbines, enough to power about 6,200 New
SOLAR FARM PLANNED ON JICARILLA APACHE RESERVATION
Mexico homes. Over the course of the lease, the project is expected
The City of Albuquerque has signed a 15-year commitment to buy half the en-
to generate $8 million for the state.
ergy generated from a 50-MW solar project to be built on the Jicarilla Apache
Nation. The agreement is part of PNM’s Solar Direct Program, which groups
CLINES CORNERS WIND FARM large customers to facilitate renewable-energy projects. Hecate Energy is de-
A 40,000-acre wind farm in Torrance and Guadalupe counties near veloping the plant on 400 acres. Mayor Tim Keller said that the plant, subject
Clines Corners was one of the project locations the New Mexico to approval of the state’s Public Regulation Commission, would replace 168
Public Regulation Commission approved in 2019. The farm, which million tons of coal-burning a year and save the city up to $5 million over five
would mostly be on privately owned land, would have up to 222 wind years.
turbines capable of providing 600 megawatts a year, and an electric
substation that is intended to connect with the proposed Western
RENEWABLE ENERGY ON CLOSED MINE SITES
Spirit transmission line, 11 miles northwest of Encino.
BHP and Rocky Mountain Institute, in collaboration with Pattern Develop-
The wind farm is a joint project of Orion Renewable Energy Group
ment, are planning to repurpose BHP’s legacy mine sites for renewable-energy
of Oakland, Calif., and MAP Energy of Palo Alto, Calif. The project
production. Pattern is preparing engineering and permitting plans to develop
application says that the farm “will displace electricity generated
large-scale solar plants and storage facilities on brownfield land at the former
from non-renewable sources, causing a reduction in greenhouse gas
Ambrosia Lake site in northwestern New Mexico and the San Manuel plant
emissions and regulated air pollutants.”
site in southern Arizona. BHP and RMI are participating in local community
working groups on regional development and are seeking partnerships with
new industries that can benefit from the renewable energy production.
GREENFIRETIMES.COM 7
– SOLAR NEWSBITES – Sustainability
NAVAJO PARAGON BISTI SOLAR PROJECT
for Strategic
The Navajo Nation is moving forward with development of its Paragon Bisti Ranch Solar Park Growth
in the Navajo community of Huerfano. The project is supported by $2 million in New Mexico
capital outlay funds approved by the governor for the project. The Navajo Hopi Land Commis-
Why the Time is Now to Tap Into the $2.65 Trillion
sion also worked on the development of the project. The Navajo Nation has issued a request Sustainable Goods Market.
for proposals to select a developer to design and construct the utility-scale facility on 660 acres.
BY CAROLYN PARRS
Despite an expected $30 million to $50 million revenue shortfall from the closure of the coal-
No longer do consumers view sustainability and green as
fired Navajo Generating Station, Navajo President Jonathan Nez proposed using funding in the
a sidebar, but instead the bar for the products and services
tribe’s FY2020 Comprehensive Budget to establish a Navajo Energy Office under the Division
they purchase today. Both the millennials (born between
of Natural Resources that would serve as a clearinghouse for energy development for the entire
1991 and 1996) and the Gen Z generation (1997-2012) de-
Nation.
mand that their products and services are environmentally
and socially sound.
NORTHERN NM COLLEGE BUILDS SOLAR ARRAY There are numerous factors in the “why” of that. 1) The
onset of widespread climate change awareness. 2) The
IN EL RITO millennials who are scared about that (in a recent study,
over 75 percent said they were). 3) And a new level of
Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), in partnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative
corporate sustainability emerging because that demo-
(KCEC) and Guzman Energy, is constructing a solar array on the college’s El Rito campus.
graphic is 92 million strong, representing $1.4 trillion in
“El Rito is a key part of Northern’s history,” NNMC President Rick Bailey said. “Now we can
disposable income. And if you think millennials are into
ensure that El Rito will be part of our future and the future of green energy in New Mexico.”
it, just wait till you see what the Gen Z generation behind
Bailey intends for both the El Rito and Española campuses to run fully on renewable energy
them has in store for us. Greta Thunberg, the 17-year old
within the next 10 years.
climate activist, has kindly given us a preview.
The 1.5-megawatt (MW), 6,000-panel solar array will power the El Rito campus and approxi-
These factors and more have made for a hefty $2.65tril-
mately 850 homes and businesses. It is estimated that each megawatt of power keeps about $1.1
lion sustainable goods market we enjoy today, with an-
million in the community through local construction labor, taxes and commerce. The array is
other trillion dollars in market opportunity for companies
one of three KCEC is constructing with Guzman Energy, including one in Sunshine, N.M. and
that can communicate their sustainable attributes well,
one at the Taos Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The arrays are part of the co-op’s ongo-
according to a study by Unilever.
ing efforts to achieve 100 percent daytime energy from solar by 2020 and an eventual complete
transition to carbon-free electric sources.
Where are you on the As a sustain-
able brand
SANTA FE COUNTY RECEIVES 'SOLSMART' AWARD
sustainability scale? marketer for
the last 17
years, I have
Santa Fe County has received a Bronze award from the national SolSmart program for making helped market hundreds of green, environmental and
it easier and more affordable for homes and businesses to go solar. The designation recogniz- socially focused companies. I have seen what works and
es the county for taking steps to encourage solar energy growth and remove obstacles to solar what doesn’t, where some have soared and others stalled.
development. Having examined this keenly, I have encapsulated four
critical markers for sustainable business success.
“I want our business and residential community to know that Santa Fe County welcomes solar
business,” said County Commissioner Anna Hansen (Dist. 2). “I encourage every member of Sustainability Marker #1: Lay Your Sustainability
our community to install solar systems and take advantage of the sun’s free energy.” Hansen has Groundwork for Strategic Growth
had a PV-solar system on her residence since 2009.
Consumers are savvy these days. They know when a mes-
Through its Solarize Santa Fe program, the county’s Sustainability Office provides educational sage is real and when it’s bogus. Don’t be bogus.
materials online, presents at community events and offers free, impartial sessions to county
residents considering solar. Last year, the office consulted one-on-one with more than 125 resi- For Tesla, the very first sentence in their Google descrip-
dents. tion says, “Tesla is accelerating the world's transition to
sustainable energy.” They live and breathe that statement
SolSmart is led by The Solar Foundation and the International City/County Management every day. Laurie Shelby, vice president of Environment,
Association (ICMA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Health & Safety at Tesla, has said that every single Tesla
Office. Santa Fe is the first county in New Mexico to achieve a SolSmart designation. As part employee commits this mission statement to memory.
of the SolSmart program, a team of national experts provides no-cost technical assistance to There is nothing bogus about that.
help communities achieve designation. Santa Fe County’s partner in the Coalition of Sustainable
Communities, the City of Las Cruces, achieved SolSmart’s Gold status. More than 300 cities, So, what about you? Do you have yours down? If not,
counties and small towns have achieved the designation since the program launched in 2016. here are some foundational questions you can ask yourself
For more information, visit SolSmart.org.
8 GREENFIRETIMES.COM MARCH/APRIL 2020
All four of these need to work together with your product, service or
initiative. This essentially is the roadmap for your sustainability strategy.
A summer day Let me give you an example.
in downtown Santa Fe
© Seth Roffman I had the rare opportunity to create a true sustainable product from
scratch and prepare its go-to-market strategy. What was beautiful about
this process was there was no retrofitting or retooling an existing product
to fit into a preconceived sustainability strategy. From the very beginning,
every inch of this sun-care product was thoughtfully examined through a
sustainability lens. In other words, sustainability was in its DNA. How did
we build the components sited above into this brand? Here is a taste of
what we did.
Four components of sustainability that
need to be addressed: protection of the
environment, care of cultures, social re-
and your team to lay the true groundwork for strategic growth through sustainability. Take
sponsibility, economic viability
some time with these. It’ll be so worth it.
From an environmental standpoint, the formula was non-toxic and con-
1. What does sustainability mean to you? Your employees? Your stakeholders?
tained no chemicals that absorb into your bloodstream (human health) or
hurt coral reefs and marine life (environmental health). Its packaging was
2. Is sustainability a core value of yours? Of your company? How can you close the gap?
refillable and made out of ocean plastic waste so it would never end up in
a landfill again. Our brand message therefore was "Protecting your skin
3. On a scale from 1-10 (1 being lowest, 10 highest), where are you on the sustainability
and the oceans we love."
scale? What would make you a 10?
The social responsibility component was inherent through and through
4. What does it mean to be a sustainable (fill in the blank with your industry) company?
and baked into the core of the business model. For instance, part of
what we imagined is using this product as a teaching tool for the younger
5. Is sustainability systemwide in your company or is it siloed to one department or per-
generation to learn more deeply about ocean health and how it affects
son?
our culture and society. Plans were made to create academic modules
that teachers can incorporate into their lesson plans and bring alive in the
6. What percent of your capital expenditures are related to sustainability?
classroom.
7. With which groups are you partnering regarding key sustainability initiatives? How can
In our research and marketing outreach, we were careful to meet the
you up that?
needs and sensitivities of different cultures. We posed questions across
cultures on how this product may impact their lives, what do they like
8. Where do you stand on sustainability relative to your competitors? Where are they put-
about it, what would they change, what are we missing, does our mission
ting their stake in the ground?
and vision resonate with them, how can we be more inclusive?
9. How can sustainability take your business to a whole new level? Where could you have
And finally, the economics of it all. As a longtime sustainability profes-
the biggest impact?
sional, I know that only 19 percent of the population would pay a pre-
mium for an eco-product. But we wanted our product and the message
10. How can you work together to make your company the best on the planet?
delivered to mainstream America.
I can’t stress how important this first step is. If you skip it and go straight to strategy, you
So, to make this sun-care product more economically feasible and appeal
are in danger of skimming the sustainability surface and ultimately being perceived as a
to a wider range of people, we partnered with our formula manufacturer
greenwasher. Today’s very smart millennial consumer can smell that a mile away. So do
and received very competitive pricing, almost at cost, to compensate for
your homework and take some time with Step #1.
the premium we were paying for the ocean plastic packaging. We were still
more expensive, but with the inherent promise and vision we built into
Sustainability Marker #2: Define Your Sustainability
this product, we felt it would allow for this slight bump in price.
Strategy and Work It
In order to do this, let’s take a look at the four components of sustainability that need to
Our go-to-market strategy was a Kickstarter because we knew that we
be addressed:
would be able to prove our concept, tweak our brand, determine pricing,
expose it to a millennial audience, and raise awareness and initial capital—
1. Protection of the environment
all at once.
2. Care of cultures
3. Social responsibility
4. Economic viability
CONTINUED ON PAGE 28
GREENFIRETIMES.COM 9
REGIONAL FOOD & AGRICULTURE
2020 NM Food
& Farm Day Awards
Celebrating Community Food Systems
and Ending Hunger
New Mexico Food & Farms Day at the Legislature brings
private and public sectors together with policymakers around
food, farming and health issues, programs and initiatives. The
day spotlights relationships between communities and pro-
grams that increase affordable food access, support farmers
whose crops contribute to public health and the regional econ-
omy, and encourage entrepreneurship and leadership.
A Senate memorial acknowledged New Mexico’s “vibrant food
and farming culture that is significant to the rural economy.”
Last year, New Mexico farms sold $1.15 million in locally
grown fruits and vegetables to state schools.
On Feb. 6, the Local Food and Farm to School Awards cere-
mony took place in the Capitol rotunda. It was hosted by Farm
to Table New Mexico, New Mexico Food & Agriculture Policy
Council, New Mexico Farm to School Alliance, New Mexico
School Nutrition Association, New Mexico Hunger Caucus and
the New Mexico Hunger Coalition.
Secretary of Education Ryan Stewart presented the New Mex-
ico Grown Award for Best Practices in School Nutrition to the
Gadsden Independent School District. The district purchases
produce from family farms and educates students about food
and nutrition. Stewart also presented the Seeding the Future
Award for Best Farm-to-School Practices to Zuni Public School
District. The district uses the Lucha Greenhouse to grow fresh
produce for four school cafeterias. The greenhouse also serves
as a classroom to teach traditional agriculture.
Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte presented the Good Food
for New Mexico Award Celebrating Farmers’ Markets to
Tucumcari Farmers’ Market.
Sen. Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque) presented the Sowing
Change Award for Organizations Engaged in Creating Sus-
tainable Food Systems to Agri-Cultura Network. Agri-Cultura,
a co-op representing 45 local farms, recently celebrated com-
pletion of the South Valley Farm Hub, across from Ernie Pyle
Middle School in Albuquerque.
Sen. Shannon Pinto (D-McKinley & San Juan) presented the
Heart of the Land Award for Outstanding Leadership in Farm-
ing and Ranching to Dorothy Bitsilly of Red Willow Farm.
Bitsilly, 91, is president of the Tohatchi Chapter Farm Board on
the Navajo Nation. ¢
Top: (l-r): Susan Wilger of the Center for Health Innovation, Helen Garza of the
Agri-Cultura Network and Pam Roy of Farm to Table-NM; JoAnn B. Jayne and
Dorothy Bitsilly of the Red Willow Farm (Navajo Nation); Sofia Martínez and
Richard Moore, representing Los Jardines Institute, one of the seven Agri-Cultural
Network co-op farms; NM Secretary of Education Ryan Stewart with Adele Balesh
and Antonio Carrasco of the Gadsden Independent School District Nutrition Program;
Dorothy Bitsilly and family; NM Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte with Kathleen
and Philip Box of the Tucumcari Farmers’ Market; Joy Bobelu, Mark Archuleta and
Jerome Haskie from the Zuni Public School District. Photos © Seth Roffman
10 GREENFIRETIMES.COM MARCH/APRIL 2020Limpia Days Acequias are an aspect of a lifestyle
The annual communal cleaning of irrigation ditches of self-sustenance and regenerative
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY POKI PIOTTIN
land stewardship.
In February and March, most acequias, the ancient ditches that bring irrigation water to the In the old days, everyone had to pitch in to clean the ditch. Family
fertile fields of the arid New Mexico landscape, shut off their flow to undertake la Limpia. members who had moved away would return to join the effort. Cousins
If you have never participated in the communal cleaning of acequias, this is a great oppor- met every spring, and, working together, they renewed bonds. Children
tunity to dive into a 400-year-old New Mexico tradition. were raised to understand how to maintain the ditches and work the
fields so they would have water and food for their own children when
Because many young people headed to urban centers or neighboring states seeking employ- they came of age.
ment, local participation has seriously dwindled in some areas, resulting in acequias being
inadequately maintained. La Limpia has been a communal, intergenerational ritual since the
Spaniards settled in New Mexico. For boys it was a rite of passage, a
Vegetation around the acequias is lush. Willow, cottonwood, mesquite, locust, osage orange, coming-of-age when they were allowed to join the men working the
elm (of course), and many other vigorous and sometimes thorny bushes thrive along the ditch.
banks. Broken branches, fallen trees and rocks create obstacles for water flow.
A few years ago, while running Gaia Gardens, an urban farm in Santa
In Dilia, our area, where the ditch is six-to-12 feet wide, tree branches need to be removed Fe, I regularly attended meetings of the Santa Fe Food Policy Council,
to prevent breaking windows of the machinery the county sends to assist with the cleanup. an organization devoted to creating a resilient regional food system. At
Last year, as a commissioner of my acequia, I inspected the ditch for weeks prior to our of- one of these meetings, a local Hispanic gentleman in his 50s recounted
ficial cleanup days and noted all the repairs and debris removal that was needed. For several how, every spring, his family returned to New Mexico from Arizona
days, I walked the ditch ahead of the machinery, dragging debris and cutting branches with to help with the ditch cleaning. The boys were allowed to join in when
my chainsaw. I had lunch with the workers, rode in their trucks and heard stories from prior they were as tall as the ceremonial shovel. He remembered the year that
generations. I also hear stories weekly when I chat with the elders after church. he had grown tall enough. Sobbing, he explained that his cousins had
just bought a backhoe to clean the ditch, and so his labor was no longer
Over the past two years, through a drought and a wet season, 200-year-old traditions have needed. That story illustrates how the depopulation of farmland has
been slowly woven into my life. Our acequia was dug by hand and by horse plow in the not only hurt our rural economy, but has also eroded traditions that
1820s. It is a marvel of beauty and engineering. When flowing, it is a 12-mile-long ser-
pent, gliding along a wide and fertile valley, dispensing precious water to fields that used to Mayordomo, commissioners and parciantes clearing debris and repairing a breach on
provide most of the food the population needed. They say that 80 percent of the land was the Vado de Juan Paiz ditch, Dilia, NM
cultivated.
The tapestry of ancient
breadbaskets, along all
our watersheds, must be
maintained to ensure
our regional food security.
GREENFIRETIMES.COM 11kept communities together. And it has jeopardized the upkeep of irrigation ditches, My suggestion and invitation is for you to take the opportunity to lend your
thus undermining our regional food security. support to la Limpia in one of the 600 registered acequias in New Mexico.
Even if you show up with lemonade and cookies, your presence will be a
For 400 years, cleaning the ditches meant digging with shovels, picks, horse plows, and boost to the spirit of those often elderly parciantes (water rights holders) whose
later, dynamite. Rocks were moved by hand, banks had to be shored-up, bridges over humble yet noble existence depends on the proper functioning of their ditch.
arroyos had to be built with stones, logs and hand-hewn planks. I can imagine how
tiresome it must have been, and how many people were needed to build and maintain Hopefully, like me, you will fall in love with a people, land and tradition that
the acequias. The upkeep of the acequia helped keep a community, culture and food we must preserve at all cost. Maybe locals will start calling you primo or prima
landscape alive and vibrant. (cousin) and take you into their heart and families in appreciation for helping
them preserve a beautiful way of life.
Having lived and traveled in many agricultural parts of the world, I understand that
what we still experience here with acequias is an aspect of a lifestyle of self-sustenance In order to connect with a ditch and find out if help is needed, and on what
and regenerative land stewardship that is a tenet of an indigenous existence. Most days, you can ask farmers at your local farmers’ market, or contact the New
people live in a world disconnected from their food source, pushed into cities by the Mexico Acequia Association (505-995-9644, www.lasacequias.org). ¢
collapse of small rural economies due to the advent of large mechanized, agriculture
and the consolidation of fertile land by multinational corporations.
Poki Piottin is executive director of the Mil Abrazos Commu-
Our fragile food system is now threatened by a climate that—from all observations, nity Land Trust, and commissioner of the Vado de Juan Paiz
measures and events—is going to be more and more out of whack, making it increas- Ditch Association in Dilia, N.M. He created the now-closed
ingly difficult to grow the food we are accustomed to year-round. It’s clear that in New Gaia Gardens, a popular one-acre urban farm in Santa Fe.
Mexico, the vast tapestry of ancient breadbaskets, along all our watersheds, must be Acequia cleaning days in Dilia are March 14 and 21, 9 a.m.
maintained to ensure our regional food security. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 505-557-7962 or visit
www.milabrazos.org.
FARMERS BILL OF RIGHTS INTRODUCED HEMP PRODUCTION IN NEW MEXICO
In August 2019, U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) held a town hall in Mori- The New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMED) has desig-
arty and met with small-farmers and land grant communities. Challenges ac- nated “sustainable and value-added agriculture as one of eight key industries
cessing the market, sustainable farming, traditional land use and the needs of to focus on and is helping to facilitate a supply chain. “Hemp production
communities were discussed. On Feb. 6, Haaland held a press conference to and sustainable agriculture are essential components of our mission to
introduce a resolution, the Farmers Bill or Rights, that outlines 10 fundamen- expand New Mexico’s economy,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said in a statement.
tal rights for independent family farmers, ranchers and traditional agricultural The New Mexico Department of Agriculture issued more than 400 hemp
communities. cultivation licenses in 2019, the first year it was legal to grow hemp in the
state. Licenses included 276 for outdoor growers, totaling 7,640 acres, and
Over the last several decades, the concentration of power in the hands of a 132 for indoor growers, totaling 8,334,424 square-feet.
few multinational corporations has eroded these rights. The resolution asserts
that all farmers, ranchers, Native Nations, acequia communities and histori- OVERSUPPLY EXPECTED TO CREATE PRICE DROP
cally underrepresented farmers have a right to fair and equal opportunity. Today, the hemp industry largely revolves around the production of CDB
(cannabidol). The CBD consumer market is still limited by the U.S. Food
“Family farmers are largely responsible for sustainable practices and uplift- and Drug Administration (FDA), which prohibits the extract in food or
ing rural communities, but the decks are stacked against them because large dietary supplements, although many sellers have ignored that mandate. CBD
corporate farms are sucking up all the resources and blocking them from is legal in uses such as topicals, as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.
prosperity,” said Haaland. “Our bill is the radical idea that we owe family Potential products also include fiber for clothing, textiles and construction
farmers and ranchers, tribes and traditional communities basic rights. This materials such as “hempcrete,” a substitute for concrete.
is a commitment to leveling the playing field and giving control of our most
precious resources back to the folks who grow our food and keep our fami- A December 2019 analysis by the industry’s first price provider, PanX-
lies healthy.” change, found that the market was “grossly oversupplied.” PanXchange’s
CEO, Julie Lerner, predicts that industrial demand for hemp will eventually
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) is co-lead on the resolution. Cory Booker dwarf the CBD market, but not before prices drop quite a bit.
(D-N.J.) is the lead sponsor of the U.S. Senate companion to the Farmers
Bill of Rights. “Farmers are on the front lines of our nation’s biggest chal-
lenges—from climate change to environmental justice,” said Sen. Booker. CHALLENGES IN GROWING HEMP
The resolution has been endorsed by at least 40 agriculture groups across the For growers in New Mexico, 2019 was a year of trial and error as they tested
country. which strains would do well and how to grow the plants successfully. Tough
growing conditions can provide useful data.
The Center for American Progress reported that mergers and acquisitions
have increased corporate concentration across agricultural markets, including Seed quality and genetic expression differ in various strains. Seed that grew
monopolizing 85 percent market share of the corn seed market through the well in one part of the country may not adapt to the soil of another region.
four largest firms in the seed sector, limiting access to small-farmers. Corpo- A different climate, growing season or other stress may create plants with
rate concentration and practices in America’s food and farm sector diminish higher THC levels than expected. Some farmers in Arizona had to destroy
the availability of seed choice, limit the accessibility of domestic farmlands, their crop because at 40 percent, their plants’ THC levels were higher than
increase food prices, not; lead to market manipulation, and hinder access to the allowable limit. Many of the strains that have performed best in New
traditional foodways and agricultural practices. Mexico had CBD levels between 14 and 23 percent, according to a report
commissioned by Fathom New Mexico, a hemp exchange founded by Jeff
12 GREENFIRETIMES.COM MARCH/APRIL 2020Apodaca. That’s still a NMED has pledged $750,000 from the state Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) fund
lot higher than the limit. to the project, while the City of Lovington has pledged $250,000. The project is expected to
ADVANTAGES OF
generate an economic impact of $423 million statewide over the next 10 years.
NEW MEXICO’S
HEMP INDUSTRY Gov. Lujan Grisham said, “This plant will be a thriving hub, a real-life demonstration of the
There is an abundance power of redevelopment and a commitment to value-added agriculture.” Big Dog is NMED’s
of relatively cheap fourth LEDA investment in a hemp business since Lujan Grisham took office (Big Dog, 420
land in parts of New Valley, Rich Global and Natural ReLeaf). Lovington City Manager James R. Williams said,
Mexico. Northern New “The direct and indirect revenues generated from this business will diversify our economy and
Mexico has the poten- help alleviate the burdens of the ‘boom or bust’ cycle of the petroleum industry.”
tial to become a home
for smaller, high-end Big Dog CEO Brian Meyer and his partners plan to invest $15 million in the building and a
hemp producers. Since seed-to-retail business over the next several years. They hope to become a national player in
the plant grows well the market for hemp oils, lotions, edibles, clothing, chocolates and bath products. Big Dog is
in areas with mild, dry working with growers on 5,000 acres of farmland in Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, New
conditions and ample sunlight, the southern part of the state could Mexico and Colorado. The company will use state-of-the-art CO2 extraction equipment that
become a leader in producing large volumes. can extract oils from 1,400 pounds of biomass a day. Its facility has 10,000 square feet of re-
frigeration, a necessity, as processed hemp needs to be stored at 60 degrees or cooler.
DISADVANTAGES OF GROWING HEMP IN NEW MEXICO
In February, NMED committed $600,000 in LEDA funds, matched by $5.3 million in private
A cold spring can delay planting, and a hot summer can kill plants
investment, to Natural ReLeaf. The business is expanding from Berino to Las Cruces and
in their infancy. Plants can be lost to unexpected frosts. Not all
adding 56 jobs. Eight greenhouses are being built for year-round growing. The company sold
strains adjust well to New Mexico’s winds.
chocolate-covered strawberries infused with CBD for Valentine’s Day and is introducing new
products like bath balm, lip balm and honey sticks. Two interns from the N.M. Dept. of Agri-
There is a shortage of processors that can convert harvested plants
culture are working with ReLeaf.
into extract that can be used for CDB. Farmers near a border area
that is a drug-smuggling corridor have had to contend with law
A Las Cruces entrepreneur, Rick Morales, has invested in a group of farmers in Deming to
enforcement confusion about hemp and its cousin, marijuana.
grow and harvest hemp. Morales and Scott Bannister are also consulting with an indoor grow
facility in Las Cruces and a manufacturing facility in Socorro. In addition, the group is convert-
CHEESE FACTORY CONVERTED ing a 13,000-square-foot warehouse into a part-hemp production facility and part-entertain-
TO HEMP MANUFACTURER ment complex and restaurant. A retail shop will offer CDB products such as oil, pens, edibles
Big Dog Industries has purchased the old Lovington Cheese Fac- and topical ointments. The facility is expected to open in April. The project will receive up to
tory with plans to rehab the space—vacant since 2007—into a fully $400,000 in state LEDA funds, as well as $150,000 from the City of Las Cruces. The group
integrated hemp products business and hire 125 employees. The plans to hire 55 employees over three years.
OP-ED: Jessica Swan
WHO WILL FEED US?
I have witnessed the loss of small family farms and lack of
access to good-quality food in small towns in New Mexico
Every day, we as community members Our agricultural lands and
water need to be respect-
where my relatives live. At the same time, I have seen a rapid
increase in obesity and type 2 diabetes in children and adults. vote with our dollars and actions. ed. Our diverse cultures
and deep agricultural
It is imperative that New Mexico continue to address food history make it possible
insecurity. People deserve access to the most nutrient-dense, for our needs to be met.
regenerative, healthy foods we can grow. Our state once provided most of its food and clothing needs through barter and trade among friends,
neighbors and family. It would be to our greatest benefit to return to a more resilient, self-sustaining
We are all connected. Local food systems create ripples that community by investing in our local economy, especially in local food production. “I would rather sup-
affect communities throughout the state. I am inspired by port my community by buying locally raised food or wool,” said Jack West,
many organizations within New Mexico working to make lead trainer of the Grow the Growers Farmer Training Program in Bernalillo
changes in our food systems. Honoring local, seasonal and County.
indigenous foods, and educating our community on social
justice and equity issues, creates opportunities for all of us to Spending $5 towards purchasing local food at your cooperative, food store
make progress together. or farmers’ market every time you shop for a bunch of carrots, red chile,
beans, corn or squash is impactful. Ask your schools, senior centers and
Reducing our carbon footprint, creating jobs, regenerating other institutions of higher learning to use taxpayer dollars for local food
soil and feeding people healthy food should be our top goals purchases. Finally, call your legislative representatives and ask them to sup-
for this decade. “I see investing in our local organic farm- port initiatives that address hunger, food security and those that will benefit
ers as one of the easiest and most direct steps we can take our farmers. ¢
as individuals to fight the climate crisis and be responsive
to present and future food scarcity,” said Eowyn Simons, a Jessica L. Swan is a lifelong New Mexican with a passion for food justice for our commu-
resident of Albuquerque. nities. She is an entrepreneur, mother, wife, daughter and sister.
GREENFIRETIMES.COM 13Juan and Guadalupe Maldonado
L a F o n d a D e l Sol Below: Family celebration at
La Fonda del Sol Restaurant
The Abode of the Sun
– Mexican Food without Borders –
Food Business Takes Root in Española
ceviche, mole, salsas, aguas frescas, etc. “Authentic
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY ALEJANDRO LÓPEZ Mexican food,” Juan said, “requires a lot of
slow, labor-intensive processes. In reality, it is
Everyone knows that a sustainable business is exceedingly difficult to estab- an art.” The food is so faithful to what one
lish—all the more so if you are an immigrant struggling with the English lan- might find in central and southern México,
guage and without sufficient capital. Yet, in January 2020, Juan and Guadalupe customers
Maldonado, together with their circle of family and friends, launched La Fonda have said
del Sol—Comida Mexicana sin Fronteras, a restaurant in Española’s premier loca- they feel
tion: The Delta. The Delta is a sprawling compound on the town’s west side, that they
across the Río Grande, far from the chains of corporate fast-food eateries that have been
line Riverside Drive, headed north toward Taos. The building is known for its trans-
massive adobe construction and interior rich in hand-carved wooden surfaces. ported
into their
In México, the Maldonados specialized in selling computer equipment. Ten mothers’
years ago, they fled Torreon, Coahuila, after a harrowing shootout by drug kitchens.
traffickers at their daughter’s elementary school. Their rigorous journey to
New Mexico provides lessons that could be useful to fellow would-be entre- Guadalupe
preneurs. When they finally made it to the Española Valley, they were, to some Moldana-
degree, able to rely on a safety net afforded by family who had previously do insists
immigrated. Still, during their first years here, they had but the bare necessities. that a main
They lived in cramped quarters, and money was scarce. When their parents ingredient
passed away, they could not return to their homeland to be with their families. is love—for food and its preparation, as well as for their clientele. In addition to
Juan initially took a job as a butcher at a local grocery store while Guadalupe long hours cooking, the Moldanados spend time assisting others and often offer
cleaned houses. They supported themselves and three children on modest a sympathetic ear. They have a soft spot in their hearts for the immigrant com-
earnings until, spurred by the lack of challenge and stimulus, they reached a munity, sometimes finding jobs for people or connecting them to social services
breaking point. and other resources.
Their rigorous journey to New Mexico To further their endeavor, the couple took courses in advanced computer skills
and business management, as well as English language and public speaking. They
publicized their business through social media. A caterer’s license enabled them
provides lessons that could be useful to to work graduations, weddings, quinceañeras and family meals that follow burials,
as is customary among older Nuevo Mexicanos. These events often required 16-
fellow would-be entrepreneurs. hour workdays, several days in a row, in what they call a friega or marathon.
In November 2019, the Moldanados received a call from managers of the Delta,
Juan, the grandson of a famous restaurateur in Torreon, knew the food who asked them to consider anchoring their business at the palatial space, which
business well. The couple quit their jobs and devoted themselves to making had recently been vacated by a well-known restaurant. They promised to set the
gorditas, corn or wheat flour pockets stuffed with delicacies such as fried nopal financial bar low at the beginning so the couple could get a running start. It was
cactus, frijoles con queso, papitas, desebrada (shredded beef), etc. Gorditas are a an offer the Moldanados could not refuse.
mainstay of central Mexican cuisine. The Maldonados made it their staple as
well. Just three weeks before opening, with the assistance of some of the people they
had helped, they did several months’ worth of work. They bought new kitchen
In conformity to Mexican custom, for a time they opened their home to all equipment and tableware, outfitted the dining spaces in authentic Mexican decor,
who needed a meal. Some were charged a nominal fee, others were not. The underwent inspections and launched publicity.
vinyl-covered seats on benches around their dining room table, which seat up
to nine people, became worn from use. On Jan. 11th, at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Juan Moldanado said, “It is not
only our family’s restaurant we are opening, but yours as well. We want this to
They managed to attract a handful of steady customers, mostly construction serve as inspiration to people who come to this country seeking the American
workers. This gave them hope that they might be able to grow a viable busi- Dream because we think that we may have found a piece of it.” Streams of
ness. The paydirt they eventually hit resulted from hard work, coupled with people arrived, some bearing bouquets and small gifts. Within days, the restau-
a service ethic predicated on the traditional Mexican view that good food is rant was bustling. With its team of enthusiastic workers,
sacred, necessary to body and soul, and is to be shared in a spirit of friendship La Fonda del Sol already has an air of a long-established,
and community. Their work ethic also includes unwavering courtesy, joí de vivre professionally run family restaurant that reflects el gusto por
and an appreciation for all that comes their way—good or bad. vivir (joy in living). ¢
Of course, the growth of their business also had a lot to do with the carefully Alejandro López is a native northern New Mexico writer and
prepared food, offered at reasonable prices. They cut no corners when it came photographer who enjoys exploring the multicultural landscape of
to concocting gorditas, flautas, menudo, tacos, chile rellenos, pipían, tamales, enchiladas, northern New Mexico.
14 GREENFIRETIMES.COM MARCH/APRIL 2020You can also read
