Building Bridges: A Transformative Visit to the San Carlos Apache Tribe
On February 12, 2025, University of Arizona Indigenous Resilience Center team embarked on an immersive journey to the San Carlos Apache Tribe, where they had the privilege of engaging with community leaders, educators, and sustainability innovators. The day was filled with inspiring conversations, deep learning, and hands-on experiences that strengthened our commitment to fostering meaningful collaborations.
A Lesson in Sustainable Agriculture: Nalwoodi Denzhone Community Farm
IRes visit began at Nalwoodi Denzhone Community Farm (NDC), a remarkable initiative that is revitalizing land, preserving culture, and fighting food insecurity through regenerative agriculture and community-led food systems. As one of the Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes) grantees through IRes' work with the Waverley Street Foundation, NDC is making a profound impact. Nestled along Dripping Spring Sale Ring Rd. in San Carlos, the farm is dedicated to growing organic produce, raising pasture-fed poultry, and distributing highly nutritious, culturally significant foods to the local community.
IRes team were particularly inspired by their commitment to traditional Apache crops such as Apache Giant Squash, Apache Red Sugarcane, and Apache Red Corn, which not only provide nourishment but also preserve cultural heritage. Through regenerative farming practices, including animal integration to enrich soil health, NDC is working toward creating a lush, thriving oasis in the desert. Their monthly food distribution program, which has delivered over 94,000 pounds of fresh produce since 2020, is a testament to their dedication to food sovereignty and hunger relief.
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