As New Mexico faces intensifying drought, water scarcity, and skyrocketing food prices, the need to grow food locally — and wisely — has never been more urgent. Climate disruption is not some future threat. It’s here. And unless we build systems of resilience now, our communities will be increasingly vulnerable.

That’s why La Milpa’s water catchment system matters.

This isn’t just about infrastructure — it’s about survival, sovereignty, and care. With every basin dug and every tree watered with harvested rain, we’re building a future where our communities can thrive even in crisis. We’re reclaiming the right to nourish ourselves, tend to the land, and pass on knowledge that will sustain generations.

And the beauty? It’s already blooming.

Fruit trees planted just months ago are now taking root — and even producing apples and peaches. Plants many might call "weeds" — like alfalfa, globemallow, quelites, and amaranth — are springing up on their own, protecting the soil with shade and nutrients. Even seasoned gardeners are amazed by this kind of growth. These sweet summer colors and harvests remind us of the magic that comes from care, time, and effort.

Thanks to recent rains, we’ve seen the system working — water flowing into our basin and feeding the trees, reducing reliance on our irrigation lines. Now, we’re ready to expand.

Join us for our next Water Catchment Workday on Saturday, August 16th from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Earth Care Office (6600 Valentine Way, Building A, Santa Fe, NM 87507)!

We’ll be grading, irrigating, and mulching, and learning from local experts about water harvesting and land restoration as essential climate survival strategies. You’ll leave with muddy hands, full hearts — and maybe some fresh fruit from the garden.

This is how we prepare for the future. Not with fear, but with tools, love, and each other.

Want to volunteer or bring a group? Contact Mykayla at mykayla@earthcarenm.org