Justin Casiquito Receives Marshall Kovitz Scholarship
November 4, 2019
Justin Casiquito is a Sustainability Studies student who received this year’s Marshall Kovitz Scholarship from La 
Montanita Co-op. This is a scholarship that students must apply for. They must be in Sustainability Studies courses, have an exceptional GPA, letters of recommendation and a written essay expressing an interest in food systems. With this scholarship Justin will receive $1,000 from the Co-op that will go into his bursars account.
After receiving the scholarship, we asked Justin to give us a brief background on himself.
“My name is Justin Casiquito. I am a tribal member of the Pueblo of Jemez. I am the youngest of three children born and raised in New Mexico. We grew up in both Albuquerque and in Jemez Pueblo. My parents are from Jemez Pueblo but they worked in Albuquerque so we went to school near their place of work. My father was the farmer in the family and I learned just about everything I know about traditional farming from him. I graduated from Cibola High School then attended the University of New Mexico. It took some searching to find the right path and during this time I developed a passion to become a traditional farmer in my community. I knew eventually there would be a need to organize and manage a position that would encompass all that I was thinking and doing in regards to farming. Over the years, I have worked at a local organic farm and acquired knowledge to start my own farm selling produce at local markets such as the Jemez Pueblo and Los Ranchos Growers Markets. Inspiration came from a need to maintain the Pueblo farming culture and provide healthy, local, organic food for my Jemez community.
Since the first step on my journey I have been able to work with the Pueblo of Jemez’ San Diego Riverside Charter School and Walatowa Charter High School giving demonstrations to students. This experience has helped me grow and see the benefit of staying in school to support further what I have learned. In addition, I want to educate myself to better serve my Jemez community as a professional. Currently, I am going into my Senior year at the University of New Mexico. I am deeply motivated to earn my degree in Health Education with a Minor in Sustainability Studies. I chose community health and sustainability because I believe it is vital that we as Jemez community members educate our people the importance of strengthening traditions and culture for future generations to come.”
If you want to learn more about the Marshall Kovitz Scholarship you can visit the scholarship webpage here.
