Fields & Irrigation
Lots of dirt and old building materials
were cleared by our excavating contractor,
bringing the fields down to the original
acequia water line.
The turnout ditch to our
property, channeling water
from the acequia to our
fields, was dug out and
restored.
Our property’s turnout ditch from the acequia brings water to our fields.
A few of our awesome parishioners are ready to
serve lunch after a morning of work. Meat from the
first of our free-range kid goats was served, offering
all present tacos de cabrito. What a treat!
On October 12, 2016, the Feast of Saint King Edwin of Northumbria, our
parish opened the floodgates of its adjacent acequia channel to irrigate the first of
our newly restored fields. Acequia means “she who brings water.” This method of
irrigation was brought to the Americas by the Spaniards who themselves adopted it
from the Moors. From at least the time of the Atrisco Land Grant of 1692 these
canals have been transporting water to farmers throughout the region. A
representative of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District was present to open
the channel, allowing the water to flood our field. This restoration and continued
care for our land has unified our parish community and revealed talents and
passions held deep within the hearts of our people.
In the spring of 2018, one of New Mexico’s premier ranchers, Mike
Mechenbier, began chiseling, plowing, and laser-leveling our three fields.
Water now flows through them as smoothly as over the kitchen table. Below
our first, northwest field was planted with brutus fescue grass. It quickly took
root and our animals now enjoy the permanent pasture.
The fescue grass on our second, southeast field is maturing nicely.
Freddie and Isabel take a moment for a picture.
Above our third, northeast field is being readied for alfalfa. With parishioners
from towns like Abiquiu, Mora, and Torreon having settled in the South
Valley, the collective knowledge and skill base is substantial. Everybody
pitches in what they know.
Here the same field, having been seeded with alfalfa in April of 2019, has
shown some development two months later.
On September 7, 2019 the alfalfa was cut for the first time.
Northeast Field Restoration
On September 13, 2019 the newly cut alfalfa was packaged, yeilding sixty-
seven bales. What a blessed day!
Two Fields for Grass-fed Animals
NORTHEAST FIELD ALFALFA HARVEST:
2019: Sep. 13, 67 bales. Oct. 15, 22 bales. Total: 89.
2020: May 24, 55 bales. July 2, 60 bales. Aug. 10, 73 bales. Oct. 5, 64 bales. Total: 252.
2021: June 6, 130 bales. July 17, 148 bales, October 105 bales.
2022: May, 75 bales, July 145 bales, September 100.
2023: June, 113 bales, August 87 bales…
The turnout ditch to our property, channeling
water from the acequia to our fields, was dug
out and restored.
Our property’s turnout ditch from the acequia
brings water to our fields.
A few of our awesome parishioners are ready
to serve lunch after a morning of work. Meat
from the first of our free-range kid goats was
served, offering all present tacos de chivito.
What a treat!
On October 12, 2016, the Feast of
Saint King Edwin of Northumbria,
our parish opened the floodgates of its
adjacent acequia channel to irrigate the
first of our newly restored fields.
Acequia means “she who brings water.”
This method of irrigation was brought to
the Americas by the Spaniards who
adopted it from the Moors. From at least
the time of the Atrisco Land Grant of
1692 these canals have been
transporting water to farmers
throughout the region. A representative
of the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy
District was present to open the channel,
allowing the water to flood our field.
This restoration and continued care for
our land has unified our parish
community and revealed talents and
passions held deep within the hearts of
our people.
In the spring of 2018, one of New Mexico’s
premier ranchers, Mike Mechenbier, began
chiseling, plowing, and laser-leveling our
three fields. Water now flows through them
as smoothly as over the kitchen table. Below
our first, northwest field was planted with
brutus fescue grass. It quickly took root and
our animals now enjoy the permanent
pasture.
The fescue grass on our second, southeast field
is maturing nicely.
Freddie and Isabel take a moment for a picture.
Above our third, northeast field is being
readied for alfalfa. With parishioners from
towns like Abiquiu, Mora, and Torreon having
settled in the South Valley, the collective
knowledge and skill base is substantial.
Everybody pitches in what they know. This
field doubles as parking for our Fall Festival,
which occurs after the final cut of alfalfa for
the season.
Fields
Here the same field, having been seeded with
alfalfa in April of 2019, has shown some
development two months later.
On September 7, 2019 the alfalfa was cut for
the first time.
On September 13, 2019 the newly cut alfalfa
was packaged, yeilding sixty-seven bales. What
a blessed day!
Northeast Field Restoration
Two Fields for Grass-fed
Animals
NORTHEAST FIELD HARVEST:
2019: Sep. 13, 67 bales. Oct. 15, 22 bales.
Total: 89.
2020: May 24, 55 bales. July 2, 60 bales. Aug. 10,
73 bales. Oct. 5, 64 bales. Total: 252.
2021: June 6, 130 bales. July 17, 148 bales, Oct 105.
2022: May, 75 bales, July 145 bales.
2023: June, 113 bales, August 87 bales…