Producer
San Xavier Co-op Farm
Address: 8100 Oidak Wog Tucson Tucson, Az,
Website: http://www.sanxaviercoop.org/
About Us
The San Xavier Cooperative Association is committed to healthy farming practices and growing traditional crops to support the cultural and environmental values, as well as support economic development within the community.
The San Xavier Cooperative Farm considers the following aspects (and others) of the Tohono O’odham Himdag, or Way of Life, to ensure that decisions in the farm’s rehabilitation project are consistent with the culture.
Respect For Land
* Improve health of land each year through wise use of available resources, including CAP water
* Use existing topographical characteristics of land in determining designs and water systems
* Analyze results of soil tests…
* Avoid use of herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful substances.
Sacredness Of Water
* While CAP water has value, the Tohono O’odham culture teaches the younger generations that water is sacred, as the culture is built around the calling for, and celebration of, the coming of rain
* Harvest rainwater
* Dilute CAP water to avoid damage to soil
* Perform ceremonies of thanks for all water
Respect For Elders
* Serve as a venue for Elders to pass on traditional knowledge about farming and the Himdag
* Make traditional food crops available to help the community achieve a state of wellness
* Provide volunteers to help distribute of seasonal harvests
* Create stronger ties throughout the community, especially between Elders and younger generations
Respect For Animals
* Acknowledge the usefulness of animals who pollinate crops, aerate the soil, and rejuvenate the mineral content of the land
* Develop a farm plan that includes attracting pollinators to assist with growing crops
* Include the assistance of underground animals and micro biotic organisms in the plan for the successful growing of crops
* Use a method of controlling “pests” that do not harm the beneficial animals
Respect For Plants
* Provide opportunities to enhance successful harvests with ceremonies throughout the growing season
* Grow crops that were developed by those “Who Have Gone Before”, which supplemented the foods of the tohono we collected
* Grow crops, such as wild flowers and native plants, whose seed can be sold for use in rehabilitating the land
* Grow mesquite trees, which can provide food, be used for building purposes, as firewood, for the construction of furniture, and as material for artisans
The San Xavier Cooperative Farm considers the following aspects (and others) of the Tohono O’odham Himdag, or Way of Life, to ensure that decisions in the farm’s rehabilitation project are consistent with the culture.
Respect For Land
* Improve health of land each year through wise use of available resources, including CAP water
* Use existing topographical characteristics of land in determining designs and water systems
* Analyze results of soil tests…
* Avoid use of herbicides, pesticides, and other harmful substances.
Sacredness Of Water
* While CAP water has value, the Tohono O’odham culture teaches the younger generations that water is sacred, as the culture is built around the calling for, and celebration of, the coming of rain
* Harvest rainwater
* Dilute CAP water to avoid damage to soil
* Perform ceremonies of thanks for all water
Respect For Elders
* Serve as a venue for Elders to pass on traditional knowledge about farming and the Himdag
* Make traditional food crops available to help the community achieve a state of wellness
* Provide volunteers to help distribute of seasonal harvests
* Create stronger ties throughout the community, especially between Elders and younger generations
Respect For Animals
* Acknowledge the usefulness of animals who pollinate crops, aerate the soil, and rejuvenate the mineral content of the land
* Develop a farm plan that includes attracting pollinators to assist with growing crops
* Include the assistance of underground animals and micro biotic organisms in the plan for the successful growing of crops
* Use a method of controlling “pests” that do not harm the beneficial animals
Respect For Plants
* Provide opportunities to enhance successful harvests with ceremonies throughout the growing season
* Grow crops that were developed by those “Who Have Gone Before”, which supplemented the foods of the tohono we collected
* Grow crops, such as wild flowers and native plants, whose seed can be sold for use in rehabilitating the land
* Grow mesquite trees, which can provide food, be used for building purposes, as firewood, for the construction of furniture, and as material for artisans
Practices
Certified Naturally Grown