Welcome Amber and a Mariposa Ascendente 2025 spring update!
Happy Summer Solstice! As the fullness of our days reaches its apex, I reach for a pen (and later a computer) to compose an update and an invitation to take part in the latest iteration of Colorado Farm and Food Alliance’s garden project: Mariposa Ascendente. First of all, gratitude to the Great Mystery for blessing us with this task; to Elizabeth Agee for holding the vision and doing all it took to get it established; to the folks at Arbol Farm for hosting and supporting this (ad)venture; and to everyone and everything that helps make COFFA what it is. We couldn’t do any of it without you.
Amber (on the far left) with volunteers at the garden
It was late April when it became clear we were the ones actually going to carry this torch forward: Sarsa Buck and I, Amber Van Cleave. A little late to start seeds perhaps, but we jumped in and started some seeds. We began with an early morning mad rush to dig up some donated medicinal plants from Grey Owl Farm with our Executive Director, Pete K and our main volunteers Peyton and Tony. Other donations have included a bunch of used potting mix, trays of veggie and herb starts from (Valerie), and a big ol’ pile of horse poo from Elderberry’s.
Early in the process, we learned our irrigation ditch may not last beyond the next couple of weeks due to drought and we would be hauling our water from a nearby farm and hand watering for the rest of the season. We have scaled back our vision for this year, but our creativity and enthusiasm are still alive, along with most of the perennials our community helped to plant and a new round of veggie beds, including a Three Sisters bed centered around Corn, Beans, and Squash. We hope you take the opportunity to come see it soon!
The core intentions for this garden are growing organically out of the original vision of a community education garden for regenerative practices. We have been contemplating as we work about what is most alive for us here and now. It seems this garden is a crucible for remembering, practicing, and cultivating Sacred Relationship: with the land, with each other, with the plants… basically with all that gives us life. I could sum it up with a little alliteration: Learning, Listening, and Love. We don’t know all the answers yet, but we are learning to ask the questions and find some stillness to listen.
We would love to see you soon here in this magical place that has already captured our hearts. We propose a weekly community conversation time: Wednesdays from 5 to 7:30 PM. We are thinking about once a month adding a little more fanfare, maybe some food, a fire, and/or a presentation. All ideas are welcome, even if not everything gets implemented. And of course all helping hands are received with gratitude. There is plenty to do! Even weeding is more fun with neighbors. Join us for some rich conversation, maybe some singing, sprinkled with moments of stillness…