The horno mud oven is iconic of northern New Mexico. In it we cook the native crop of corn (maize), in a mud oven of Arabic origin, while speaking an ancient dialect of Spanish infused with Native words. We are mountain people of the desert, cooking food in an earth oven that was grown in fields nurtured by acequias: earthen lined, gravity fed, communally-managed irrigation ditch systems. 'Entra la Acequia' features projected video of a traditional horno mud oven in different stages of its use and framed by images and video of northern New Mexico cultural practices juxtaposed with images of technological change and environmental devastation that have affected our cultural continuation. Samples of music from traditional to contemporary styles are played in the background with aromas of burning incense that reminds of northern New Mexico (cedar and piñon).

About the Artist
Miguel Santistevan has a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Biology and Agriculture Ecology and certifications in Permaculture and ZERI design. He is an educator, seed saver, researcher of acequias and resilience, and radio producer of “¡Que Vivan las Acequias!”.  He writes semi-regularly for the Green Fire Times and has given dozens of professional presentations on acequia agriculture and the search for sustainability in a Climate Change context.  He founded the non-profit organization Agriculture Implementation, Research, & Education, known for its Farm-to-School programming; is a founding member of the NM Food and Seed Sovereignty Alliance; and has coordinated several youth-in-agriculture programs.

Miguel works through 'Sol Feliz Enterprises LLC' for online education and consulting and sells New Mexico chile products (solfelizfarm.wordpress.com).   He lives on his ancestral land and acequia-irrigated farm in Cañon de Taos with his wife and two daughters.