Malaqatel Ija, Semillas Viajeras, Seed Travels, organizes collectively around the sharing of amaranth seed and knowledge.
It is with immense gratitude to the amaranth that we have been able to strengthen our communities while traveling throughout Guatemala, New Mexico, New York, and California. Through the planting, care, and harvest of the amaranth plant, an indigenous crop to Mesoamerica, we deepen our ties to each other, the land, and the ways we collectively work towards the health of both. The relationships formed around amaranth continue after the harvest as we collectivity work to determine our food and agriculture systems. The amaranth seed connects us all.
The seeds hold the memory and stories of all the places they’ve been planted. We give thanks to this resilient plant which connects us to indigenous ancestral knowledge passed down from the Grandmothers and Grandfathers.
Amaranth is a life source, once central to the diet, culture, and spiritual connection (practices) of the Maya, Aztec, and Pueblo peoples; it was nearly eradicated during Spanish colonization and further suppressed in Guatemala during the 36 year long genocide. Amaranth is a highly nutritious and drought-resistant crop that thrives in diverse ecosystems. As we face food insecurity due to climate collapse, amaranth has and will continue to help sustain us. Growing amaranth is a form of resilience.
Seed Travels is a collective of interconnected individuals and organizations that steward the amaranth seed. Guided by the amaranth seeds and ancestral knowledge from Qachuu Aloom Mother Earth Association, a Maya Achi farming association from Rabinal, Guatemala.
Uplifted, organized, and cared for by The Gardens Edge. Mentored and guided by the amaranth seeds and ancestral knowledge from Qachuu Aloom Mother Earth Association, a Maya Achi farming association from Rabinal, Guatemala.
Stewarded by Española Healing Foods Osias -Tewa Women United, Milagro Allegro Community Garden, Bishop Paiute Tribe’s Food Sovereignty Program, and Amyo Farms.
Welcomed and tended to by Villa Park Community Center – Villa Verde Rooftop Garden, Seed Library of Los Angeles, Side Streets Projects, Community Services Unlimited, Los Angeles Arboretum, Hopi Tutskwa Permaculture Institute, Coffee Pot Farm, LFS Refugee Garden Program, IAIA-Institute for American Indian Art – Turtle Garden, UC Riverside “R” Garden, Ganondagan Cultural Center – Iroquois White Corn Project, the Cayuga SHARE Farm, the Onondaga Nation Farm, The Akwesasne Freedom School, the Learning Farm, the Youth Farm Project, Lehman Alternative Community School, New Roots Charter School, El Sereno Community Garden, Alta Dena Community Garden, and the Armory Center for the Arts.
Upcoming Events, Fall 2024
Amaranth Harvest
Sunday September 1, 11:30am-2pm
Indigenous Permaculture
Santiago Farm, 1223 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA
Amaranth Harvest
Wednesday September 4, 5:30-7:30pm
Traditional Medicine | Food as Medicine sharing with members of Seed Travels: Sabina Sosof of Maya Na’oj and Aurelia Xitumul of Bixal Ya (Canto del agua) in Guatemala
Three Creeks Collective, Big Pine, CA (Location TBA)
RSVP/info: threecreekscollective@gmail.com
Ceremony and Potluck Dinner
Saturday September 7, 3-9pm
- 3pm Garden Opens
- 4pm Welcome
- 5pm Ceremony
- 7:30pm Potluck Dinner — please bring a dish to share
Milagro Allegro Community Garden
111 S Ave 56, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Amaranth Seed Sharing
Sunday September 8, 3pm
Armory Center for the Arts
145 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
Amaranth Seed Sharing
Wednesday September 14, time TDA
Altadena Community Garden
Campesino-a-Campesino Potluck
Sunday September 15th, 1-4pm
El Sereno Community Garden
5466 Huntington Dr S, Los Angeles, CA 90032
Community Sharing Circle
Wednesday September 18th, 3-9pm
Ra biqbal awa ri a kunbal’, tu comida es tu medicina, Food as Medicine with
Aurelia Xitumul of Bixal Ya (Canto del agua).
Milagro Allegro Community Garden
111 S Ave 56, LA, CA 90042
Community Amaranth Harvest
Monday September 23
On the fall Equinox in Albuquerque.
Amaranth Cooking Class
Sunday October 6th, 10am-Noon
Altadena Community Garden
Please RSVP
Contact: info@seedtravels.org