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WINTER
2018
Letter from the Editor The longer nights of the winter require us to change the way we use our space, both inside and out. This is not always comfortable and for some, it can be disorienting to slow down. Or, it can be an opportunity to go inward, given to us by the fourth and final season of the year, winter. It arrives with shorter days, cold air and its long nights are offered for us to rest ourselves for a bit. In the age of the mega-instant, we can forget what waiting feels like or the power of an old-fashioned winter nap. The capacity for us to turn inward doesn’t seem like an award-winning ability, but being reflective is certainly an essential gift we have all been given. Rather than seeing introspection as a chore or brooding, we can enjoy the pace of winter. We recall the past year and years past and examine what can be done, what has been done or needs attention. This is a form of hibernation and for some, it is a form of incubation. Freezing temperatures cause a pause and we must be tolerant of the moment because there is no option but to endure. This issue of ZUMAG is a collection of stories that share the quiet contemplation about the kinds of questions that keep us up at night, the personal darkness that motivates us to find the light and begin to map our time ahead. The quietness of a good winter can be a place to let those questions rise up and see how you can create bits of leading light. With your health and happiness, we hope you have a joyful, light-filled new year. Thank you for slowing down, just for a bit.
Colleen Donley editor + publisher
chief e xecutive officer
Douglas Bennett chief finanical officer
Carrie Cass v p o f a dv e r t i s i n g
Dave Habrat EDITORIAL editor
& publisher
Colleen Donley copy editors
Hunter Harrell Rosie Mansfield
PRODUCTION
ADVERTISING
a dv e r t i s i n g d e s i g n
account e xecutives
Renee Bruch Tim Calkins Gary Markstein Christian Ridings
Tana Bowen Amy Baird Emily Campana Heather Mobley Joe Nelson Teressa Nelson Liz Demko Kelly Bulkley Shawna Long
distribution services
Shelly Tanner DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY manager of c r e at i v e s e r v i c e s
Tad Smith photographer
Robert BonDurant
Š 2018. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Published in the United States by Ballantine Communications, Inc. 1275 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301. Ballantine Communications uses reasonable effort to include accurate and up-to-date information for its special publications. Details are subject to change, so please check ahead. The publisher accepts no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use of this guide. We welcome suggestions from readers. Please write to the editor at the address above.
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Table of Contents E N T E RTA I N M E N T
10 Quiet & Dark An Ode to Winter By Jaime Becktel
ADVENTURES
14 Bears Ears Tears By Tamara Wiggans Desrosiers
16 Introduction to Mlah By Lyndroth Belt
M AT T E R S O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y
22 TeamUp for Impact By Lauren Lacourciere
A R T S A N D C U LT U R E
26 Undecided By Tyana Arviso
28 85for85
By Mika Parajon
A G R I C U LT U R E
32 Growing Change By Laurie Hall
 36 Montezuma s Agritourism By Rebecca Levy
cover photo : Rob BonDurant
The Winter Graze Montezuma County, Colorado 2015
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WINTER
2018
W I N TE R
2018
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WIN T ER
2018
Contributors Jaime Becktel is an essayist, artist and poet whose pieces tend to weave human history with natural history, pop culture with deep culture, humor with reverence and poetry with prose. She enjoys capturing the world through what she refers to as a "humanaturalist" lens. When not writing, she is enjoying Montezuma County either on foot, horseback or in a kayak. Lyndroth Belt is a senior at Dolores High School. She plans to go to college at the University of Northern Colorado where she will study Biomedical Sciences. Her journey with her boyfriend has influenced her to become a physical therapist in the future to help others going through similar struggles. Jessica Mulvihill-Kuntz is an English teacher at Dolores High School. She has been teaching in the Southwest for over a decade. Her goal as a teacher is to inspire kids to take risks by empowering them to use language and their voice to create change in the world. Lauren Lacourciere came to the southwest in 2015 a year after finishing her bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. She took a position with Southwest Conservation Corps working on a route inventory project for the BLM office in Dolores. Since then she has made a home and community here. Currently, she works for United Way of Southwest Colorado as the TeamUp coordinator for Montezuma and Dolores Counties. Additionally, she spends time as a board member at both Southwest Open School and School Community Youth Collaborative. When she is not hanging out in the desert, she loves spending her time volunteering in the community. Mika Parajon is an artist and adventurer with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from Winthrop University. Following her curiosity of the West, she moved to Cortez in 2015. She enjoys many creative endeavors, such as drawing, wood burning and bookbinding. Most weekends, you can probably find her outside, exploring our beautiful backyard. Laurie Hall and her husband moved to Montezuma County 12 years ago to pursue farming, which was a departure from their snowboard-by-winter and landscape-by-summer lifestyle in New Mexico. Hall went to school for graphic design and marketing and ran her own studio for many years, before switching gears to outdoor occupations. With such a short growing season for market produce, the couple’s choice for a “town job" drew upon past experience. The couple opened The Farm Bistro in 2009, a farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Cortez. Recently, much of Hall's time is spent as a community organizer in the world of local food and farming. Rebecca Levy is the Executive Director of the Cortez Cultural Center, and is passionate about rural community development. She first moved to the Four Corners in 1992. Though she tried living other places, she keeps coming back to Southwest Colorado. Rosie Mansfield was raised in flatland Missouri. Her idea of the outdoors had more to do with catching frogs in creeks and riding horses around barrels than rock climbing and backpacking. She lives in Montezuma County and spends most weekends in the desert in southeast Utah. Tyana Arviso was born and raised in Cortez. She is a freelance photographer who thrives in Montezuma County and works where inspirations take her. Tamara Wiggans Derosiers serves on the board of directors for the Bluff, Utahbased Friends of Cedar Mesa. Robert BonDurant is a photographer who grew up between Chicago and Indiana before heading west to California. His curiosity for discovering new places and storytelling led to his new home on the banks of the Dolores River. W I N TE R
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E N T E RTA I N M E N T
Quiet
DARK An Ode &
to Winter
“
From the ashes, new life and new opportunities will surely emerge, yet on a timeline that does not operate in accordance with human convenience. The Earth
Winter is coming and I welcome its cold decline, for in the death of winter lies the symbolic promise of rebirth. This year seemed to rip into our collective psyche like a dull scythe, threshing the landscape, burning it barren, and charring the forest pillars upon which the azure heavens rest. Myself, along with many others had no love for the summer of 2018. With time we have reached an elevated state of acceptance, able to look back with tempered wisdom to recognize that all of that burning was somehow, in some way, essential. From the ashes, new life and new opportunities will surely emerge, yet on a timeline that does not operate in accordance with human convenience. The Earth knows no master. She keeps her own deep time.
”
This year, alongside champion trees of great antiquity like the “Outfitter Tree,” lost to the smoldering wreckage of the 416, relationships blazed, fell, and were extinguished. Upon blistered paw, we emerged from the black smoke, and with feathers badly singed sought refuge within the sacred triangulation of Sleeping Ute, Mesa Point and Hesperus Peak. Standing within that apex of surrender we are given a gift to map our lives upon the seasons, bowing to them, and laying at their feet our personal agendas like swords. When the Equinox arrived, the people wept with relief, and as the lava cooled, a delicious breeze took up residence in the basin between
knows no master. She keeps her own deep time.
words and photography by :
Jaime Becktel
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E N T E RTA I N M E N T
the ranges. Rain, truly a benevolent affirmation from the Gods, blessed the land that gasped in a final shimmer of green before adorning itself in the resplendent finery of autumn. Devouring the crisp, smokeless air in deep inhales we were free to disappear once again into the woodland mist. In the course of just one earthly hour in the super dome that is Montezuma County, a virga, heavy with rain danced across a banded sunset. An angel made of cloud floated above the Mancos River on her way to pray at the hem of Mount Hesperus – Dibé Nitsaa - one of the four sacred peaks of the Diné. Aspen coins jingled to a golden bedecked path. Two spotted fawns picked their way through a bramble. A young black bear tore off down a bend in the trail. Bats flickered black above. A manic rave of coyotes echoed off the canyon walls and the shrill, cosmic love song of two elk punctuated the streaking labradorite of dusk.
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Stanzas in the poetry of autumn go on and on until the ochre, sienna and crimson bleed from the lips of trees, down into the open grave of winter quiet. You can feel its pending arrival in the blue spark of night, and in the diamond oscillation of the stars as they blink forth in celestial code, “Have you heard? The Great White Queen is coming.” Her first freeze hits like a smack and the fields glitter in morning sun glow as smoke tendrils rise from the chimneys of a sweet, slumbering town. Tonight there will be snow. Beloved snow. My friends, may this winter blanket us all in an evening gown of blinding white. May it wrap about our necks like mink and cascade from the couloirs as a thick whipped cream to fill our reservoirs, our ponds, our ditches, lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, veins and dreams. n
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ADVENTURES
Bears Ears 2013 Watercolor
by Tamara Wiggans Desrosiers 14 |
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Tears
Most people assume the “tears� are over the controversy surrounding Bears Ears National Monument. Designated a Monument by President The tears are actually over a Obama late in 2016, the man who still keeps his distance boundaries were substantially shrunken in 2017 by the but remains in her heart. Trump administration. Contentious politics, ongoing litigation and dramatically rising Monument visitation rates all contribute to the concerns over Bears Ears.
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ADVENTURES
Mlah Introduction to
It's Gratefulness, relief, bliss and so much more
words by : Lyndroth Belt submitted by : Jessica Mulvihill-Kuntz
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a crisp November afternoon. The leaves have fallen and Halloween has just passed; it's the time of year to love, laugh, and cuddle. It has now been about a month since Logan has returned from the hospital, things are settling down and the simple changes in life are now becoming normal. Lying on the bed is my best friend. I have just helped him lie down to rest. The day has been short but long, exhausting us just in time for a nap. As I carefully lay down beside his warm body, I make certain the pillows are placed evenly in between his legs, and I am keenly aware of where every part of my body is touching his; careful to not cause a pressure sore or pain that he won’t notice. I settle comfy and warm, nuzzling my head in his neck. Out of nowhere, he flings his arms across my body, making him roll directly on top of me. Surprised
by this action, I smile with joy and gratitude. We giggle, talk, and lie on this bed for hours. It hits me, how much he has grown, with his body strength and control; in just over three months after his accident. I can remember staying up all night with him in a tiny hospital bed holding his cup of water to give him drinks throughout the night because his hands didn't have the strength to grip the cup. I can remember helping him eat, brush his teeth, and turning him in bed just to get comfortable. Now he is rolling around with me, laughing and smiling with control of his body. He has a long way to go, but this small accomplishment is one leap to walking on this great earth once again. Out of pure bliss I scream, “I love you!” He returns the shout more powerful than mine, “I LOVE YOU!” That was not the first time those four letters slipped out of my mouth, but those four letters slipping
out of my mouth, dripping down my cheek, and falling straight into the abyss of my heart meant more than the word ever stood for; this singular word thrown around indefinitely, could not describe the emotion in my soul, “Wait, no. I mlah you.” Love is a word that describes a vast field of subjects: family, friends, animals, phrases, pictures, and moments. I love many things, but this emotion I feel can no longer be interchangeable with any of those; this emotion can only be described with a word made up, a word that goes beyond love, the word mlah. As a young teenage girl only in high school, the expectation to fall in love with a person, let alone create a whole new word with them that describes an emotion that only soulmates achieve, did not cross my mind. I was fifteen when this emotion hit me full force, on Halloween night. Not knowing yet what the
potential this feeling had, I viewed it as just a crush. Weeks later I was in a relationship with a person that I connected with perfectly. He became my best friend sooner than expected, with his enticing smile, kind soul, and a sense of He became my best friend sooner humor no one could resist; he captured my heart. Four than expected, with his enticing months later, the four letters smile, kind soul, and a sense of I’d been holding in, slipped out of my mouth and poured humor no one could resist; he onto the floor, “I just love you, captured my heart. okay.” With teary eyes and an expression of surprise, he reacted in the way I had been praying for: “And I love you too.” The following months went by as quickly as they came, and we had now been dating for approximately seven months. July 1, I would finally leave for a trip with my dad that W I N TER
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ADVENTURES
I had been anticipating for months; we were heading to Alaska. Leaving Logan for four days seemed easy enough and I did not expect the event that would occur while I was away. The flights were seamless, and that night we had an amazing dinner. I went to bed early knowing I had to wake up at 4 a.m. The groggy morning began. We crammed into a shuttle and headed to the ocean. After meeting our charter captain, we fit into the bright orange fishing attire that was supplied and headed out. I was uneasy all morning and couldn’t seem to quite get a grip on why. Out of the blue, not realizing I had service, a text came in; my heart dropped and I could not believe what I read. It was text from a friend notifying me that my boyfriend, my best friend, The question at hand, concerns the was on a helicopter to Grand Junction, Colorado in hopes true definition of the word mlah, to save his life. though mlah cannot be defined With his life in the hands of his own determination, with a dictionary definition: it is not the emotions in my body a word, but an emotion. blew up, believing love was the feeling running through, I didn’t realize yet how strong mlah would grow, change, and engulf my body. Knowing only that my best friend had some type of neck or back injury, possibly a broken arm, and was now in surgery, the emotions running through my body were indescribable. The first thought slapping my mind was, “This isn’t happening, this stuff doesn’t happen to us, why him?” I spent the remainder of the day with these thoughts along with many others, rolling around in my head. About eight hours later, while sitting at the dining table, I received a call; it was Logan.
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The surgery had ended and he was alive. I was utterly grateful and relieved. His voice was not stolen from me and his determination prevailed. After waiting three days before returning, I was anxious. My mother and I left at 5:30 the next morning, what was supposed to be a four-hour trip felt like a lifetime. Every mile went by slower and slower. When I arrived the feeling I had running through my veins was indescribable. What was I to expect? I had no idea the true condition he was in. As I wandered down the hall, inching closer and closer to the room, I wasn’t sure if I was going to cry or smile. That decision was made for me as I entered a room full of a few doctors discussing with Logan. Not wanting to interrupt, I stand next to the curtain in the ICU more nervous than I had ever been before. When he noticed me he yelled in the smallest voice due to his lung contusions, “Lyndi Belt!” I slowly walked to his bed nervous to touch him in fear of putting him in pain. He says, “Well aren’t you going to cuddle me?” The nurses helped move him to one side of his bed with the blue sheet that lied below him. I lay and gave him a kiss and a hug, strong and hard. In this moment, I knew this was not love I was feeling at all, it was gratefulness, relief, bliss and so much more; it was mlah. The question at hand, concerns the true definition of the word mlah, though mlah cannot be defined with a dictionary definition: it is not a word, but an emotion. As I think more and more about it, it is hard to wrap my head around, hard to describe the true sensation. Mlah begins in the stomach, tingly and warm, like eating a big meal after a long day of hard work. It’s that first bite of relief and the last bite of satisfaction;
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Open Daily: 8 am - Close · (970) 533-7651 · 160 Hwy 160 E Frontage Rd Mancos, CO 81328 W I N TER
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ADVENTURES
it’s the calm after the storm of hunger, starvation surrounding the body, now relieved. Soon it crawls through the spine and into the heart, like a kiss indefinitely longed for, the bliss of being wanted after a life of loneliness. Seeking attention from the stars, one is now known by the moon; now important, noticed, tangible, included. It begins sneaking into the mind, pulsing its energy deeper and deeper; now filling the skull with acceptance. Rejection disperses, the being that has been living in the mind feeding off the negativity that has been indulged due to self-hate is gone. The feeling of becoming enough engulfs the mind. Mlah is rapidly now running through the body it is apart of everything, down to every cell, every nucleus, every atom filled with this invisible chemical strong enough to cover the world with bliss. The body is now bound to the one being held so tight, now unified together. Soulmates have been matched and they have been gifted the emotion of mlah. While the word mlah is merely four letters put together to describe the emotion I felt at that very second, it can be called many things. Those who have felt mlah have probably called
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it love, though love is not comparable to mlah. Far too complex and interchangeable, love is different. Mlah is the emotion that comes when two people match inevitably and irreversibly. It overcomes the body without realization. But, mlah does not always need to be called mlah; call it what is needed, because, like paintings, fingerprints, and people, no two mlah are the same. And no two groups of soulmates share the same mlah. It comes in different colors and sizes, but the intensity and the purpose for which it is meant will always stay the same. It is meant for the ones that will be glue when things break into a million pieces. It is meant for the ones that unconditionally care and help put the pieces back together. It is meant for the ones that will never let go, the ones that will never forget. It is meant for the ones that share loyalty and respect. It is for those whose souls unify perfectly. Call it what is needed, mlah is unique and belongs to each person is imprints upon, and will never belong to the words for which represent it. Bringing forth pure untouched emotion; mlah reaches into the depths of life and delivers a sensation separate from the commonly used term, love. Though I love many things, love can be interchangeable with thousands of subjects, but within mlah holds a singular purpose and sentiment. Mlah is meant for those who care unconditionally and has touched so many souls. Call it what you want, mlah is unique to each pair of soulmates, but it withholds an emotion that stays the same. It is the feeling that I have received through watching and supporting my best friend overcome total surrender of his body, it was feeling that overcame my soul as he rolled over for the second first time in bed, held a full soda for the second first time in his own hand, fed himself a bite food for the second first time with an average fork, and it was the tear that slipped down my face as I held him in my arms and witnessed his second first steps. Mlah is unconditional, irreversible and indescribable. The mlah I have experienced is idiosyncratic to the mlah experienced through others; it is unique to each person that acquires this unparalleled emotion and should be named through the pure feeling that is released. Find your mlah in life and create a word that is meaningful to you. The emotion that lies beneath is not defined by the word that it is encompassed; the emotion is defined through the elusive, authentic and limitless sensation that engulfs the soul. n
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M AT T E R S O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y
Impact TEAMUP FOR
How collective impact develops the progress needed to help every child in our communities, from cradle to career
words by : Lauren Lacourciere
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TeamUP was started in 2015 as an idea that almost seemed too big, but that is what made it so exciting. A vision of helping every child from every zip code in our counties, to succeed from the cradle to career. This is a vision that is so big, that no person or organization could bring this about alone. This is how we found a method known as Collective Impact to give this vision support and bring this change to Dolores and Montezuma Counties. We recognize we can have greater success if we assemble our efforts on community, family and school opportunities.
The framework of Collective Impact works to bring together individuals from all sectors of the community. Complex social issues require that stakeholders must leave their agendas and individual “hats” at the door and walk into a room where they put on their “common agenda hats”. In this way, our combined energy is focused to impact children's well-being. By planning for this common agenda and participating in mutually reinforcing activities we can have a broader deeper impact.
From 2015 to 2017 we planned a lot. It turns out that trying to make such a large, networked impact is difficult and takes a lot of interviews and input. Stakeholders have created and prioritized a list of eight goals to focus on in the coming years. Volunteer Steering Committee members from each county prioritized their top three areas to address in phase one of Team UP starting in spring 2018. These goals are: 1
Every child is in a safe and supportive environment. *
2
Every child enters school ready to learn. *
3
Every child is born healthy and thriving. *
4 Families have access to affordable mental
and physical health services. *
5
Every child graduates at or above grade level.
6 Every youth reaches adulthood able to pursue
their full potential.
7 Families are able to support themselves on
a living wage.
8
The community celebrates diversity.
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M AT T E R S O F T H E C O M M U N I T Y
Since spring we moved forward with the first four of the eight goals in Montezuma and Dolores counties. By mobilizing these goals we get to take time to gather input from community members who are experts on, interested in, or affected by one of the barriers to achieving these goals. Currently, we have seven actions teams, each one is at a slightly different phase but they all are full of passionate people. To give a brief overview of Collectively, we believe that a two of the seven action teams are working for the strong, healthy, vibrant community result statement “every child ensures the safety and well-being is in a safe and supportive environment.” The first is an of fellow community members. action team working on child We are committed to making a big maltreatment prevention through a two-generational difference and welcome input and approach, that includes involvement at all times. teaching our youth, or our future parent's socialemotional skills and about practical child development in both counties. The second group is working on food security issues in Montezuma County. Three of the remaining five action teams are working towards the goal “every child enters school ready to learn.” Two of these teams
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are located in Montezuma County, tackling community and business education about the importance of early childhood education and why it is a smart investment. The third is in Dolores County. We know children learn in every environment and this team is using this opportunity to create a mom’s group to help support the learning young children do outside of school hours. The two remaining action teams are doing wonderful work, which includes figuring out how to make sure the community knows what physical and mental health services exist and how to use them. This proves it takes creativity to get whole families engaged and involved in their community amid stigma and resistance around the system. The long-term vision of TeamUp is to engage the community with each goal. While there are new challenges every day, I am inspired by the successes along the way, the commitment to the group goals and the unification of the team. The thing that has stood out most to me is watching those involved learn how to truly leave their agendas at the door and become a united team. Collectively, we believe that a strong, healthy, vibrant community ensures the safety and well-being of fellow community members. We are committed to making a big difference and welcome input and involvement at all times. n
Ghost Walk Durango Take a walk through 140 years of haunted history in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Ghost Walk Durango is a guided walking tour starting at the Old Durango High School (201 East 12th Street) through the historic district of Durango, Colorado. Gun battles, including the Stockton Gang and the Simmons Gang feud, lynchings, and the Spanish Flu epidemic have all contributed to the folklore and legends that have been carefully preserved from generations of local storytellers. As educational as it is fun, Ghost Walk Durango is one of Durango’s most popular attractions and a sure bet for fun and thrills.
Perfect for families, couples and kids from 1-101.
Tickets $15 · Kids 10 & under FREE!!! Open all year. We do school field trips, groups tours and employee teambuilding.
Coming soon: Mancos and Cortez tours book online @ ghostwalkdurango.com · (970) 759-9393
A R T S A N D C U LT U R E
LIFE IN MONTEZUMA COUNTY SPRING 2017
Undecided my
photography & words by :
Tyana Arviso
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sense of direction has changed since my last article. I’ve wandered into new territory, distancing myself from landscape photography. While I still enjoy a scenic view, stepping outside of my comfort zone has brought new challenges and opportunities. As an artist, I believe that the moment you start to get comfortable is the moment you stop growing. Photography is such a common medium, especially with smartphones and social media. It’s easy to lose yourself and your purpose for creating. Over the summer I took a step back and evaluated my creative journey. Was I creating for myself or for my audience? The outcome lead to a change in direction, shifting my focus on digital art and self portraits. Apart from being a photographer I’ll step in as an editorial model when needed. Posing for your own photograph is much different. It is challenging playing the role of a photographer and model all at once. It’s interesting, because as a photographer I can visualize the photo as I pose, allowing me to better my composition. When I’m posing a million things run through my head. “Am I in frame? Am I showing movement? Don’t forget to pull your shoulders back.” Being the artist and subject has taught me patience and has improved my skill set in various ways.
When the time comes to select and edit each photo, I ask myself, “What is the mood you want to portray?” This helps me determine the style for each collection. When I am finished editing my photographs I’ll evaluate each piece, asking myself, “Does this piece look complete? Can you add more to it?” If the answer is yes, then I take a step back and decide how to execute this idea. This is when I normally turn to digital art. Expressing my creativity through this new medium has been challenging and oddly inspiring. Most pieces I’ve created are geometric inspired and take more time to create. In the mix of treading new creative territory, I also remain focused on new opportunities and partnerships. Most of my creative collaborations are based throughout Northern New Mexico, these partnerships allow me to have one foot here and one foot there. I’ve also been fortunate enough to be featured alongside many talented artists within 85 for 85. Which is a group of artists advocating for public lands, specifically Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante through artistic expression. These opportunities have brought me a new sense of confidence and skill set. As I continue my creative journey, I wish to remain true to myself and to always welcome new opportunities. n
These opportunities have brought me a new sense of confidence and skill set. As I continue my creative journey, I wish to remain true to myself and to always welcome new opportunities.
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A R T S A N D C U LT U R E
LIFE IN MONTEZUMA COUNTY SPRING 2017
8585 for
A collaboration supporting the fight for Bears Ears and Grand StaircaseEscalante through artistic expression
art & words by :
Mika Parajon
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F
ollowing the administration’s decision to rescind Bears Ears National Monument by 85 percent and Grand Staircase-Escalante by 50 percent on Dec. 4, 2017, I was feeling particularly defeated. Why this? Why now? Why would anyone come after our wild spaces that are meant to be preserved? How is this an issue that divides us? I thought to protect the planet was a fairly obvious responsibility we each have as we live on this planet, and an issue that crossed party lines; I thought this was something the majority of Americans could agree on and stand behind. As a graphic designer, I am always curious what will stick, what will have a lasting impact. What could be the hook to get people to pay attention? What form of visual communication could make a difference? All of this peaked with the overwhelming frustration caused by the automated
email responses from my representatives in Congress about my concerns for over 100,000 Native American archaeological sites in Bears Ears being carelessly overlooked. The collective concerns for the breathtakingly wild and beautiful lands that give us the chance to explore led me to create and collaborate on what would ultimately become 85for85. To speak up for these well-deserved monuments and get people to continue to care about this issue when the news now changes on an hourly basis is important. Had I not moved out to Cortez three and a half years ago, there’s no way I’d have any idea how magical Bears Ears and Grand StaircaseEscalante really are. Had I not hiked, backpacked, climbed and rafted in these spaces before, how could I have possibly known what we are at risk of losing?
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85for85 is the energy and hope that together we can protect these wild lands for generations beyond us. I felt strongly compelled to do something more, and using creativity for good felt like the most natural path forward. I thought, maybe if I could show them Bears Ears and Grand StaircaseEscalante through my eyes, that could make a difference. Maybe, if I was able to show these places through the eyes of many and through their forms of expression — photography, drawing, painting, poems and short essays — that could help folks who have never stepped in a 500-mile radius of We invite you these places see to learn more why they are worth protecting. So that’s about the artists what we did. n
of 85for85 and their work. If you are interested in ordering the 85for85 book or you would like to donate to this project, please use their website for getting in touch. www.85for85.com
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Growing C
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wonder a lot about what it will take to convince the majority of the population to care about what they are eating. But I realize that the whole population is a big undertaking, so Montezuma County is a good place to start, for several reasons. Historically Montezuma County is an agricultural community going back over 1,000 years. It’s not too big, geographically or population-wise. The landscape is beautiful and offers lots to do. I’ve never met so many people who so selflessly collaborate for the greater good. And most importantly, about 15 years ago a shift toward small, diversified, organic and sustainable family farms began. Rural self-sufficiency is also challenging: water can be scarce; the growing season is short; the rural aspect limits outside investment; most people here don’t make a lot of money; obesity and diabetes are significant health issues; one third of our kids don’t get enough to eat; the population is spread apart; and, there’s no public transportation.
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A N G
“
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
”
~ margaret mead
words by : Laurie Hall
E
Before diving in to figure out how to convince people to care about what they’re eating, allow me to give you a little background about how things got to where they are in the food world. The history of food in America since the 1950s saw food production move from family farms to corporate farming, which led to the farm crisis in the 1970s. Across the country, a growing distrust of corporate farming, aka “Big Agriculture” and factory-farmed animals spurred the local food movement beginning in the mid70s. The boom in farmers markets, natural grocers and farm-to-table dining gave consumers access to fresh, locally grown food that had been missing for decades, and has provided a personal connection to “know your farmer.” However, the number of people benefiting from this growth is limited to people who can afford it. That leaves 98 percent of the population who can’t afford to buy local and organic products. Hardest hit are low-income people. As this inequity
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became clear, grant and government-funded programs were created to help provide access to food for low-income people. Food-insecurity became a buzzword. While somewhat effective, philanthropic and tax-funded programs are a band-aid to the real problem: A centralized food system that puts profit over people, animals and environment. Back to the solution. If you’re not aware that there’s a problem, then why would you question the prevailing system? Awareness led to knowledge, which leads to experience, leading to understanding and change. The Montezuma Food Coalition is working to make a change, bring people together in Montezuma County and help to create a local food system that works for everyone by building relationships around good, nutritious food. To address the varied challenges, many local groups are working together to create a “Food Hub” in downtown Cortez. You may have noticed a beautiful new mural at the corner of Beech and North – that’s us! Already up and running in 3,000 feet of the 7,000-squarefoot warehouse is the Southwest Farm Fresh Cooperative and the Good Samaritan food pantry. On the food hub side, collaborative work to feed people is happening while funds are being raised to build out the warehouse. The food hub will be a place to celebrate food and farming with a regional food market, a juice bar, a community kitchen, room for classes and events, space for the arts and a food and farming information center. But the most important feature is the ability to aggregate, store and distribute donated, gleaned and purchased local food via the “Spokes.” The Spokes are the real gems in this concept. Like spokes radiating out from a hub, many of the groups associated with the Hub are connected directly with people in our community who don’t have access to good fresh food. Others are members of the farming and ranching community, education, government and private citizens. This “collective impact” approach enables coordinated efforts and maximizes resources to be more effective in the work of increasing food security. The Hub and Spokes strategy provides a central location with facilities for food access, education and
collaboration, while simultaneously providing the means to distribute food out in the community, thereby negating some of the transportation barriers that limit access to nutritious food. The first step in creating Groups currently involved: change is awareness. The second • The Mancos FoodShare is knowledge. And the third step is experience – where the magic • The Good Samaritan Center happens. While I have been a • Montezuma School believer in the environmental and to Farm Project health benefits of organic food for • Southwest Farm Fresh Cooperative decades, it was not until I grew my own food that I truly understood • Pinon Project Family Resource Center the importance of producing food • TeamUp in harmony with nature. It goes beyond the taste and nutritional • WIC value, and into a deep feeling of • Good Food Collective peaceful satisfaction. • Common Ground Cortez By building relationships between farmers and consumers, the Montezuma Food Coalition is creating opportunities for people to experience the magic that happens when you care about what you eat. n
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M O N T E Z U M A C O U N T Y is Ripe for
Agritourism Local tourism offices work together to understand the farm and ranch community and the evolution of the industry's impact to the economy
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hen The Cortez Cultural Center, Mesa Verde Country Tourism and Montezuma County CSU Extension Office started brainstorming ideas for what the Mesa Verde Farm and Ranch tours might look like in the Montezuma Valley, I had absolutely
no clue how transformative the tour experience would be. I grew up in a rural part of Minnesota, surrounded by large and small dairy, corn, beef, pork and wheat operations. Although we weren’t farmers, I thought I had a good idea of what the lifestyle entailed.
words by :
Rebecca Levy photo by :
Tyana Arviso
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An article in the Michigan Farm News about the dramatic decline of Eastern Monarch butterflies in the U. S. got my attention recently. It detailed how the population of this iconic insect has fallen from an estimated one billion to maybe 80 million in less than three decades due to habitat loss. The point with this decline is that the key habitat for Monarchs is common milkweed, a plant that used I envisioned a little cow milking, some light to be found in abundance in fence sheep-shearing, a little goat petting, some rows, wood lands, food and wine sampling, and maybe a good pastures and other non-crop areas farm accident story or two. throughout the Midwest. I envisioned a little cow milking, some light sheep-shearing, a little goat petting, some food and wine sampling and maybe a good farm accident story or two. Fortunately, the itinerary was up to photos by : our much wiser farm and ranch hosts, for Rowhers Farm I had no concept of how utterly complex farming and ranching operations were, particularly in arid and remote Southwest Colorado, where even water
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lawyers don’t fully understand water law, and it takes more than three hours to drive to the nearest interstate on-ramp or train station. One major lesson I learned on these tours was that farming and ranching here requires a significant cash investment. The steep costs of the land and modern equipment make it almost impossible for the risk-averse to enter the field. And almost every decision made, no matter how seemingly small, could have a significant impact on the return on investment. Couple that with the recent climate extremes like drought and late freezes, it’s remarkable that there are still people choosing the agricultural way of life. Yet there are still multigenerational operations in Montezuma County, where the next wave of young adults has gone off to college, travel or work in another profession, and returned with their experiences to help expand the family business. On the Mesa Verde Farm and Ranch tours, we visited several operations where the next generation is helping incorporate the best, latest practices, such as direct to consumer
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photo by :
Tyana Arviso
photo by :
Wilson Legacy Farms
marketing, organic and humane practices, smart technology to increase water conservation and online virtual livestock sales, which helps their family operations stay competitive. Agriculture has been one of the primary driver, if not the driver of the Montezuma valley social and economic culture more than a thousand years. According to the Colorado State Demography Office, agriculture was the fifth largest industry in Montezuma County in terms of wages (7 percent of jobs are in agricultural industries,) just below food and accommodation (9 percent of jobs are in this tourism and hospitality sector.) According to an article in the April 4, 2018 issue of the Durango Herald, tourism is continuing to grow in Montezuma County. More and more tourists are looking for food and
agriculture-related experiences such as farm stays, winery tours and tastings, hay and horseback rides and guided tours. Agritourism not only provides guests with opportunities to connect with where their food comes Agritourism not only provides guests from and who grows it, but it with opportunities to connect with also provides producers with opportunities to supplement where their food comes from and who their primary enterprise in a grows it, but it also provides producers manner that is complementary to their business. The with opportunities to supplement their potential for agritourism primary enterprise in a manner that is growth in Montezuma County is significant. And by complementary to their business. connecting consumers with food producers, we can further understand the issues and opportunities facing our farming families and help preserve the future of Montezuma County’s rural heritage. n W I N TER
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Gift Shop FAIR TRADE AND LOCALLY MADE
Triple the impact of your gifts. All purchases support Cortez Cultural Center programs, local artisans and fair trade organizations. Fall Hours through Dec 22: 10 am – 5 pm Mon - Sat Winter hours starting Jan 14: 10 am – 4 pm Mon - Sat Closed Dec 24 – Jan 12 25 N. Market Street · www.cortezculturalcenter.org
Craft Cannabis, Edibles, Concentrates, CBD Products and more!
(970) 565-2345 - doobiesistersco.com MON-SUN 9am to 8pm 605 North Broadway, Cortez, CO 81321 42 |
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SnowNightFall by Thunderock Skylava In the hushed tone and quiet of the night, the snow falls. Black is now white. It’s coming in early, the ground is still slate. Breathe the stars. Countdown to getting late. It’s the darkness that lets you look far out to the galaxies distant, Not lost but waiting to be found. Day coming in early, awakened by wonder, by our galaxies within the soulful sound of our hearts thunder. W I N TER
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High country grazing in the San Juan National Forest @bondy68
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photography by :
Rob BonDurant
NEW
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We love where we live, play, hunt and explore. So stop in to see our selection of new & used cars, SUVs & trucks. Our service center is trusted so we’re here to serve the Cortez, Mancos and Dolores areas.
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