Milpa Gardens serving the local Communities

The Milpa system is a traditional intercropping system used throughout Mesoamerica that was originally designed by the Mayans. Traditionally, Milpa gardens still use the “three sister” concept with Maize, squash, and beans, but they also add much more species for diversity into the system! In present day, Mayan farmers plant Milpa gardens behind cleared forest ground for 2 years and then allow the natural vegetation to re-establish for the next 8 years, for natural regeneration of the soil to occur. We will now be carrying several premixes of Milpa Garden Mixes that you can try in small areas.

We, Green Cover Seed, are proud and excited to be a sponsor of the Farm to Food bank project in Oklahoma. Last year, several regenerative farmers and ranchers of Oklahoma partnered with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma to put in small acreages of diverse Milpa gardens and donated the fresh fruit and vegetables to the to the Food bank. In 2017, about 6800 lbs, or about 5440 meals, of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables were donated from these gardens to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. The Milpa Gardens not only served food to these local communities but also as a cover crop to help improve soil health, water quality, and habitat for pollinators and wildlife on these farms. We, Green Cover Seed, believe that with healthy soils, we can provide healthy plants. With healthy plants, we can provide healthy food; with healthy food, we will have healthy people and communities. With that, we pledge to donate up to 2 acres of Milpa Garden seed to anyone who is working with their local food bank or resource center!

For more information on the Milpa Gardens or the Farm to Food Bank project you can contact Brett Peshek.