Exciting News: Asekia is Taking Shape!

This season has been one of both evolution and continuity for our outreach team. We are thrilled to share an important update: Asekia Inc. is in development! Over the past few months, we have laid the groundwork for this new nonprofit, allowing us to expand our outreach efforts to farmers and forest landowners.

Continuing Our Commitment

Asekia builds upon the strong foundation established by mano-Y-ola, ensuring that our work remains centered on the needs of farmers and forest landowners in rural agricultural communities. We will continue to lead a multi-state outreach program connecting with farmers, landowners and young professional interns in partnership with USDA, NRCS, and USFS.

With this transition, the dedicated outreach staff that our partners and participants have come to know and trust will now be part of Asekia. Their on-the-ground efforts to connect with farmers and landowners across the U.S. have enabled our bilingual outreach programs to thrive, and we will continue strengthening this work alongside our partners.

So far, our forestry program in Puerto Rico has impacted 1,138 acres/cuerdas! 

From one-on-one farm visits and personalized support to hands-on educational workshops about sustainable forestry and conservation, we remain committed to providing impactful outreach. As we move forward, we will use data-driven insights to refine our approach and ensure that we focus our efforts where they are needed most.

Our Work in Action: Accomplishments and Impact

Over the past several years, our team has worked to develop educational tools, expand outreach, and create pathways for Hispanic farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to access critical USDA programs and conservation services. The following highlights reflect the impact of our work through mano-Y-ola, which Asekia will continue to build upon:

This body of work underscores our commitment to building knowledge, creating access, and ensuring sustainable agricultural and forestry practices for historically underserved communities.

Why the Name Asekia?

Inspired by the acequias of northern New Mexico—ancient, communally managed irrigation systems with roots in the Middle East—our name reflects our commitment to collective growth, sustainability, and shared responsibility.

Where Will We Work?

We will continue to focus on Hispanic and underrepresented farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in rural agricultural communities across the U.S. Our programs in Puerto Rico, New Mexico, and Florida will remain key focus areas, and we will use data to enhance the effectiveness of our efforts.

In January, Nolo Martínez reconnected with Alejandra Gonzalez-López, a former mYo intern who is now a District Conservationist in Indiana, at the annual conference of the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

What’s Ahead?

We are already seeing the next phase of our work take shape! For example, our team in Puerto Rico is actively conducting field visits with 25 new participants in the Hispanic Forest Landowners Outreach Program, with more forestry workshops planned for later this year.

Our bilingual talent development program also remains a cornerstone of our work. You’ll be hearing from us soon about these internships! If you or someone you know is interested in gaining hands-on conservation and outreach experience, please contact Patricia Morales at patricia.morales@asekia.org. 

In 2024, Heriberto Martínez Méndez, mYo’s Chief Agronomist in Puerto Rico, hosted virtual interns for a field day at his farm, Finca Bien-Estar.

How Can You Get Involved?

Stay tuned for updates on an upcoming online event where we will share more about Asekia’s mission and next steps! Soon, we will begin transitioning our Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube accounts from mano-Y-ola to Asekia, so follow along.

We also want to thank those who shared your feedback in our newsletter survey! Your insights help shape the way we communicate with you. If you haven’t yet taken the survey and would like to, you can complete it in English or Spanish.

For any questions, partnership opportunities, or to learn more about our work, please get in touch with us at info@asekia.org. 

We are excited for what’s ahead and look forward to growing together!

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Hispanic Forest Landowner Spotlight: Miguel Moya’s Passion for Pollinators 

For this month’s spotlight, mYo Media Production Specialist Jessy Zafra had the opportunity to visit Miguel Moya in Puerto Rico and experience firsthand how he cares for his bees! Miguel is an HFLO Program participant and has become a key pillar of our forestry community in Puerto Rico. 

Miguel refers to himself as a guardian of bees, and he truly lives out that title. In addition to caring for the bees at Gricklegrass Farm, he also moves hives from dangerous locations. Once, when I called him with a question, he had just finished safely removing a colony from an unsafe location on a street. 

During Jessy’s visit, Jessy and Miguel both donned protective gear and Miguel opened one of his beehives after careful preparation, using smoke to calm the bees. He explained the inner workings of bee colonies, such as how the queen bee develops. 

He also emphasized how important these pollinators are to ecosystems, agriculture and nutrition. 

“Bees are a natural heritage…for pollinating plants so efficiently to gain fruits and our food,” Miguel said, adding that the products made by bees are also vital for alternative medicine. 

Bees have a significant impact on agriculture. The amount of crops pollinated by honey bees each year is valued at $15 billion, according to the USDA. 

Miguel’s work with bees also extends to educating others. In June 2024, he hosted the HFLO Program participants at Gricklegrass Farm for a forestry workshop focused on pollinators and served as the instructor. 

Miguel hosted the June 2024 forestry workshop at Gricklegrass Farm! 

We also featured Miguel in our Spotlight series in July 2024. To read more about Miguel, his passion for bees, and the legacy he’s creating, click here.  

We are grateful that Miguel is part of our community and are looking forward to continuing to learn more about bees!

Este boletín fue escrito por Courtney Columbus, revisado y traducido por Nolo Martínez y Adrian Parrott, y producido por Jessica Zafra.