Students and faculty from North Carolina State University Department of Horticultural Science are in Oaxaca for a study abroad course on Sustainability in Emerging Countries.
NCSU students and faculty setting out to explore Oaxaca
Here’s what a few students say about our first day at Monte Alban.
“We went to see Monte Alban first to give us background about Oaxaca and culture we are stepping into.”
Climbing the pyramids for a long view of the archeological site
“People here in Oaxaca take pride in this historic archeological site.”
Copal tree flowering and with seed pods — sap used for ritual incense
“You don’t know what people are talking about until you see the significance of this place.”
A long view of Monte Alban, with Observatory in distance
“It was a good foundation for what we would see and experience.”
Monte Alban is one of those spectacular archeological sites that grasp your attention, teach about the sophistication of Zapotec leadership and demonstrate the astronomical prowess of indigenous people.
Guide Pablo Gonzalez explains development of this major Mesoamerican site
The visit there gave students an opportunity to see native plants and understand the local plant life and landscape.
Pencil cactus becomes tree, with poisonous sap
As we climbed the temples and examined the plant life, saw the glyphs carved into the stone, and understood the ancient systems of water retention and cultivation, we gained a greater insight into the importance of Oaxaca as the source of corn that was first hybridized here almost 10,000 years ago and spread throughout the world.
At the top of the Zapotec world, 1,000 BC to 800 AD
We approached from the north side of the Monte Alban. The site is on a mountain-top between the city and the ancient ceramic making village of Santa Maria Atzompa.
Caretakers take a break in front of “Los Danzantes,” the Dancers, carved stone
The glyphs and carvings tell a story of conquest and dominance over surrounding villages, as well as the glyph language of rectangles and circles. Figures carved upside-down into the stone represented conquered leaders from local villages.
Another view of Los Danzantes
The gold treasures from Tomb 7 are on view at the Santo Domingo Cultural Center next to the church. They were wrought by Mixtecs who occupied Monte Alban in the late classical period.
Stelae carved with circles and rectangles — ancient vocabulary
Students participating are studying agriculture, horticulture, landscape design, business, and nutrition. Each day, they have an intensive discussion with their professors about food sourcing, fertilization, bio-diversity and cultural impact on climate change.
In the clouds at the top of Monte Alban
Zapotec rulers lived high above the agricultural valley below. Humans leveled the mountain where the elite lived. The Spanish named the place Monte Alban. When they arrived the mountain was covered in trees with white blooming flowers.
A videographer with the group will make a documentary about the experience
Students will write a paper and receive three-credit hours toward their degree program. We have one doctoral student with us, too.
NCSU in Oaxaca: At Tierra del Sol Permaculture Farm
This week I’m traveling with twelve students, three faculty members and a videographer from North Carolina State University Department of Horticultural Science. It’s a study abroad program that I organized for Professors Ricardo Hernandez and Julieta Sherk.
Go Wolfpack! NCSU students and faculty with Tierra del Sol staff
Many students are from rural North Carolina and have never been to Mexico before. They are studying sustainable agriculture, horticulture, nutrition, business, textiles, agribusiness and landscape design. They will become researchers, educators, managers and practitioners.
Making plaster clay from mud, water, straw
Mexico is our learning laboratory for comparing and contrasting the way food is developed, managed, commercialized and distributed.
At Tierra del Sol, alternative building materials include bottles and clay
A highlight of the week was our visit to Tierra del Sol in San Jeronimo Tlacochahuaya, Oaxaca, in the Tlacolula Valley. We spent the morning on a tour to see small scale farming, sustainable agriculture, organic farming, respect for the land and the cultural history of the Zapotec people. We talked about how education is the primary mission of the farm.
Leticia Hernandez Fabian bakes corn cakes in wood-fired adobe oven for us
It is a demonstration model for young children and families who want to keep the traditional methods of growing and fertilizing vegetables that have a 10,000 year old history here.
New cabins for volunteers constructed with bamboo, waddle and daub
Staff work with residents of the adjacent village of San Jeronimo Tlacochuhuaya who want to learn more about sustainable agriculture/permaculture. They also organize programs in the schools.
Biodiverse pond supports talapia fish and a swimming hole for people
Tierra del Sol has been in existence for about fifteen years, founded by Pablo Ruiz Lavalle. The farm manager is Julio Abimael, who is also a beekeeper.
The organizers are planning an internship program and we discussed the possibility of an exchange program where university students could come to work, study, learn and earn university credit for the experience.
Garlic pesto, fresh from the farm
In addition to eating some yummy, home-baked corn bread that we slathered with garlic pesto made in the farm kitchen, the students had fun making mud plaster and applying it to adobe bricks at the base of the Gaia building, covered with a thatch roof.
We take lunch, squash greens soup with Moises Garcia’s family
Recycling is an essential part of sustainability at Tierra del Sol. Baño seco, the composting toilet, is one feature. Both animal and human waste is used for plant fertilizer. Water is recycled and there is attention to using only what is needed, and then giving it back to the earth.
Carrot crop in the Tierra del Sol garden
We compared large-scale farming methods of agribusiness, complete with chemical fertilizers and irrigation systems, with the small, ten-acre plots of land with non-GMO seeds that indigenous people in Oaxaca depend upon for nutrients.
Overall, it was an excellent day.
Bare feet are the best mixing machine
On the van, ready for the next adventure
Bamboo is a wind break and building material
Professor Ricardo Hernandez reflects on day
Lily pond flower
A long view of Tierra del Sol
Solar panels heat water for personal use.
Our guides at Tierra del Sol
After lunch with Moises Garcia and family–Wolfpack Growl!
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Posted in Cultural Commentary, Travel & Tourism, Workshops and Retreats
Tagged education, horticultural science, Mexico, North Carolina State University, Oaxaca, organic farm, permaculture, study abroad, Tierra del Sol