Prutehi Guåhan invites community members to participate in workshops in honor of Yo’ Amte, Frances Meno, that seek to nurture connections between our island’s people with Guåhan’s plant resources entitled I Simiya-ta: Sharing Seeds, Sharing Stories.

The next session, Seed Social takes place on Sunday, October 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at UOG Triton Farms in Yigo.  

This event is coordinated and conducted by certified herbalist, Ursula Herrera and agriculturalist Chris Leon Guerrero. 

Participants will gain knowledge about seed-saving practices, germination, and planting techniques. Participants are encouraged to bring seeds they currently have to take part in a seed exchange with other participants. 

“The inspiration for these workshops was truly born from a desire to help our people regain control over our health and food systems, and keep the tools and resources relied upon by our ancestors as part of our daily contemporary lives. These methods still work and they’re still possible,” says Jessica Nangauta, Prutehi Guåhan board member and farmer. 

Ursula Herrera, certified herbalist and project facilitator, explains that “Our island’s people are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and our island and Indigenous traditions provide many ways to combat them. Indigenous healing methods and food systems respect the land and promote balance for our bodies and the world around us. They are also sustainable. We are also inspired to share some of the knowledge that Auntie Frances shared with us.”

Workshops are free and space is limited. Those interested can register for these workshops at https://tinyurl.com/guseeds. 

The first series event focused on traditional healing practices for women’s health in a closed-session workshop held at Asiga cafe.