Soil Health and Permaculture Workshop at Quay Ranch
May 20, 2022 5:30 PM -
May 22, 2022 3:00 PM
Quay Ranch
Please join us for a SOIL HEALTH & PERMACULTURE WORKSHOP on MAY 20-22, 2022 at QUAY RANCH in Tucumcari, NM with Soil Health Champions Jan-Willem Jansens (Ecotone Landscape Planning) and Navona Gallegos (Quay Ranch).
Learn how soil health and permaculture practices can work together to support new plant growth. Get-hands-on experience with techniques that spread and sink water, slow erosion and restore the soil.
This event is hosted in partnership among Quay Ranch, Ecotone Landscape Planning, the Seeding Regenerative Agriculture Project, NM Healthy Soil Working Group, Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance, and the New Mexico Foundation’s Permaculture Fund.
THE GATHERING
Join a group of 20 to 25 people with a love of Earth and community for a fun and interesting work weekend on the land. We will gather at Quay Ranch about 5 miles north of Tucumcari, New Mexico. The ranch stretches across nearly 600 acres on the southern slopes of the Canadian River watershed with sweeping views toward Ute Lake Reservoir. Soils are deep red behind the contrasting young green plants this time of year. Water is scarce and our work will focus on how we can spread water, revitalize the soil, and support a rejuvenated, lush prairie. Join us for socializing in the evenings around a simple meal, campfire, music, storytelling, and walks in the sunset or moonlight.
LOGISTICS
The workshop is free of charge thanks to a grant from the New Mexico Foundation’s Permaculture Fund and additional support from partner organizations. Breakfast and lunch are on your own with optional food sharing potluck. Suggested donation of $45 toward the cost of two dinner meals. The Seeding Regenerative Agriculture Project is offering ten scholarships for dinner meals at a first come first served basis. Please indicate that you would like to receive a scholarship when you sign up below.
Bring a tent and camping gear for off-the grid camping if you are staying overnight. You can also just join for Saturday –please arrive no later than 9am for work instructions.
Please wear sturdy clothes and boots, a sun hat, sun screen, bug spray, work gloves, and big jugs of water. The work will involve carrying rock and woody materials to build small erosion control structures. We will supply tools, such as rock carriers, shovels, rakes, picks, pruners, and hand saws.
The land on Quay Ranch is gently sloped to nearly flat and the soil is mostly loamy clay with some rocky cliffs, erosion holes, and uneven terrain. The ecosystem includes many prickly pear and cholla cacti, yucca, and mesquite, which all have spines and thorns, as well as rattle snakes, which are shy but assertive to strike when disturbed. Ravens, raptors, coyotes, mule deer, and several kinds of rodents also call this landscape home. Care and respect toward nature are important in order to avoid conflict, harm, or injury.
