Ernest M. Vallo, Sr.

Ernest M. Vallo, Sr., is from Acoma Pueblo, which lies west of Albuquerque in New Mexico. In addition to being a retired engineer, air traffic controller, and teacher, he is a grandfather, an elder in his pueblo, and a traditional leader. Ernest continues to work today as a student and guardian of the history of his ancestors. Ernest visited Woods Canyon Pueblo in 1996 and 2000. Recently he shared his ideas about farming today and in the Pueblo past.

"Planting and harvesting crops is done by the whole community. Corn is treated with great respect. Knowledge about plants and farming is passed on from generation to generation. Even the seeds we use are passed on, and we continue to nourish them. Today at Acoma Pueblo we can use irrigation water, but we still remember how our ancestors farmed at places like Mesa Verde, and we often reflect back to those places.

"I think that at Woods Canyon Pueblo in those days they did the best they could to survive. That meant planting crops. Since water runs downhill, the ancestors probably did their best to catch and channel water to their plants in the valley below. The people had rich soil for growing corn, beans, and squash. There were animals for hunting, plants for food and medicine, and a water source. Woods Canyon was a good place to live at that time."