An Interview on Seed Saving with Julian Vasquez Chun
by Josselin Chun Cojom
Harvesting Amaranth
I am Julian Vasquez Chun and I am a farmer. I work at Qachuu Aloom and teach people how to work the land using a technique called “Campesino a Campesino”. This means that one farmer teaches another farmer agricultural skills through working together in the field. I work with more than 40 families teaching them how to cultivate traditional seed, and also learn how they were used in the past. In the last several years, I have seen how families have re-learned ancestral techniques that were used a long time ago but disappeared due to the introduction of modern agriculture.
When I go out to help people, I speak in Achi or Spanish because there are people who are interested in learning but they only know one or the other language.
In my community, going back to ancestral techniques like terracing, seed saving, composting, and, companion planting has enriched people’s knowledge, skills, and even improved their incomes.
The people I work with in my community
My Childhood
My mother has always gardened. She used to sell her harvest to people in the villages, so I helped her when I was a child. When I look back in time, I see how much our community has changed. We used to have more water and forests.
The Impact of Qachuu Aloom in my Life
Qachuu Aloom has opened the door for me to learn about my ancestral knowledge, and how to exchange ideas with other farmers. By working there, I have been able to fulfill my dream of becoming a positive leader in my community. Qachuu Aloom also gives me opportunities to travel to the United States. When I travel, I share my culture and traditions. What I like the most is to inspire people to make positive changes in their communities.
Harvesting Amaranth in California
It is sad when I visit people who have lost their native language because to me it means that they have lost the treasure that their ancestors gave them.
To the Youth
I encourage the youth not to lose the traditions, and practices that our ancestor gave us. We should not lose our identity. The ancestral practices help us to trace a line to our future. Otherwise, we are lost and living without reason. The younger generation is losing their ancestral knowledge. This is happening because there is no communication between parents and children so the stories aren’t being passed down.
One of my dreams is to bring awareness to the younger generations about how to preserve our traditions and the spiritual connection that human beings have with everything. We need to understand that we can’t live without spirituality.
Many of my dreams have come true. I am a leader in my community, and that allows me to share my knowledge.
Finally, It makes me happy to be able to teach my kids about ecology. I’m teaching them the knowledge of our ancestors; for example how to use medicinal plants. I hope that our future generations will continue to practice the ways of our ancestors.
