Jardín-Ollin @ CCS Casita: Garden of Chicanx Culture and Wisdom

The Chicana/o/x Studies garden space is a living learning lab. 

At CCS, we believe learning happens in multiple spaces, not just the classroom. In the garden space, we apply humanities lessons to the plants we grow. We started this garden with the goal of providing an immersive and experiential learning space that centers culturally significant crops. 

Growing plants is an opportunity to learn more about the Earth and our role in it. At CCS, we encourage holistic learning spaces that teach us about patterns in nature, processes and movements amongst living beings, and the spark of life we are all connected to. 

Students can learn about the history of this region and their cultural connections to it through growing these sacred plants. Students can also learn about biological processes, plant and animal ecosystems, and the collective organizing it takes to keep a garden alive. With seeds in the hands of our community, we are excited about the long-term potential for the garden space to address the hunger many of our students face. 

Plants we are growing: 

• Amaranth- a staple food crop in the Americas that was once outlawed by the Spanish crown. 
• Maize- a sacred food source tied to many Indigenous groups' creation stories in the Americas, and one of the Three Sisters, that provides a natural pole for beans to climb up. 
• Moon and Stars Watermelon- originally from northeastern Africa, the watermelon resembles the night sky with speckled stars and a moon. 
• Kuri Winter Squash- one of the Three Sisters, the squash provides mulch, shade, and protection for the corns and beans to thrive. 
• Habanero Peppers- these peppers are named after the Cuban city of Havana. It originated in the Amazon and spread eventually to Mexico and today features prominently in Yucatecan cuisine. 
• Pumpkins- another component of the Three Sisters, and a fall harvest we are excited to prepare and decorate. 
• Wildflowers- we wanted beautify the space, and to attract pollinators and other insects for the overall health of our garden. 
• Scarlet Runner Bean- these are originally native to Mexico and Central America, and are another component of the Three Sisters. 
• Bolita Bean- similar to a pinto bean, the Bolita is endemic to New Mexico and southern Colorado, and is one of the Three Sisters, with the bean providing for the corn to grow. 
• Artichoke- this is an example of a thistle and wild plant that is edible and hardy, and in some places it is considered a weed. 
• Red Noodle Bean- Chinese red noodle beans is a variety of a long bean, with purple fragrant flowers that grow with it. 

Many of these plants are staples of culturally relevant recipes in New Mexico. We use corn for our atole, tamales, tortillas, and more.

Contact

Address: Chicana/o/x Studies Casita 

For more information about the garden, please reach out to Dr. Divana Olivas at divanaolivas@unm.edu or Joe Garcia at jgarcia76@unm.edu.