As we observe Indigenous Peoples Day, we share our deepest gratitude to the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk Abenaki Nation and their generous efforts sharing Indigenous heritage and knowledge with the community. Through the Abenaki Trails Project, they provide meaningful opportunities to reflect on the rich heritage of Indigenous culture, particularly in relation to regenerative agricultural practices.
Kearsarge Food Hub is honored and enriched by the opportunity to partner with the Abenaki Trails Project and others in the Abenaki Seeds Project, a shared community initiative that distributes heritage Three Sisters seeds to home gardeners, while also ensuring that the harvest is shared with the Abenaki Helping Abenaki Food Pantry.
This initiative not only preserves Indigenous culture but also fosters community resilience and food security!
In 2024, the Abenaki Seeds Project distributed 2,893 seeds to 55 home growers and community gardening initiatives in 33 towns across New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. As we are still amidst the harvest season, total numbers for the harvest back to the pantry have yet to be tallied.
The benefits of this project are many, but here are four that we’d like to highlight this Indigenous People’s Day!
Preserving Indigenous Heritage Seeds
Photo of a harvest of Rose Flint Corn, provided by Abenaki Seeds Project participant.
Indigenous heritage seeds hold a wealth of history, knowledge, and biodiversity. These seeds, having grown here in the New England climate year after year, promote a special kind of biodiversity that is specific to the local ecosystems of the region. By redistributing these seeds, the Abenaki Seeds Project plays a vital role in conserving unique plant varieties that have been cultivated for generations. These seeds not only help preserve the heritage of the Abenaki community, but will be increasingly important for local food security in the face of climate change as they continue to adapt to the conditions of this region.
Empowering Home Gardeners
Photo of a home garden growing corn, beans and squash. Provided by Abenaki Seeds Project Participant.
Distributing Indigenous seeds to home gardeners encourages neighbors to connect with the land and the Indigenous roots of the local area, in this case the greater Kearsarge Region. It empowers participants to learn about growing Three Sisters plants - corn, beans, and squash - alongside a community of people learning and growing together. This hands-on approach allows gardeners to learn about Indigenous farming practices and the rich traditions embedded in these seeds that emphasize sustainability, reciprocity, and respect for nature. In this way, gardening becomes an act of cultural preservation and an opportunity to, as one home grower put it, “work with nature and appreciate the wisdom of Abenaki growing methods.”
Nourishing Community by Donating the Harvest
Photo from the Bradford Elementary School 3rd graders harvesting the Three Sisters mounds.
One of the most impactful aspects of the Abenaki Seeds Project is the opportunity to give back to the Abenaki Helping Abenaki Food Pantry. By distributing the harvest from home gardens to local food pantries, this helps to address food insecurity in a meaningful way and give more people a chance to pitch in. While it doesn’t solve food access challenges entirely, it does ensure that more fresh, nutritious food - specifically culturally appropriate food - is available to the local Abenaki Community.
This relationship between gardeners and food pantries cultivates community ties and a network of support where individuals can learn from one another and build solidarity. As community members come together to grow and harvest, they strengthen their bonds and create a shared sense of purpose.
“In this way, gardening becomes an act of cultural preservation and an opportunity to, as one home grower put it, “work with nature and appreciate the wisdom of Abenaki growing methods.””
Cultivating Awareness and Education
The Abenaki Seeds Project serves as a meaningful platform for education. Each year, participants in the project receive a Grower’s Guide, regular emails with gardening tips and updates as the growing season progresses, how-to gardening videos, and opportunities to connect with fellow growers.
But the education doesn’t stop with the home growers of the project! Local 3rd graders from the Bradford Elementary School are also a part of the learning. They walk down to the farm multiple times a year to help plant, tend, and harvest the Three Sisters mounds, while learning about Abenaki language and culture in the process.
By engaging neighbors here in the Kearsarge Area community from various backgrounds, the Abenaki Seeds Project promotes cultural exchange and understanding, and we are deeply grateful to our Abenaki partners for their generosity of spirit through this process!
Abenaki Tribal member Lynn teaches Abenaki words to the Bradford 3rd Graders during their visit to harvest at the farm, October 2024.
Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day through initiatives like the Abenaki Seeds Project encourages us to appreciate the deep connections between land, food, and culture - and to honor the original inhabitants of this place!
Through these collaborative efforts, we not only contribute to the preservation of Indigenous agricultural practices but also build a more equitable and resilient food system for our communities.
In recognizing the gifts that Indigenous cultures have provided and continue to provide, we can foster a more inclusive future where everyone's heritage is respected and celebrated. Together, we can plant the seeds of change, ensuring that future generations enjoy the bounty of our diverse agricultural heritage!
