Agriculture
We view agriculture as vital to our long-term survival. We are actively working to create and teach our communities through vital projects such as farming and plant and herbal gatherings.
We incorporate agricultural practices into ceremonies and beliefs, emphasizing the spiritual connection between the land and its people.
We believe that our project efforts currently underway in our community help to address historical colonial damage to our indigenous homelands.
We have begun the work of agricultural revitalization by proactively applying our Indigenous agricultural practices to a modern landscape throughout the state on municipal, public and land trust lands.
NIDC led Pequiog Farm
Located along a ridgetop in North Central Massachusetts, Pequoig Farm is working to advance Nipmuc food sovereignty by building a healthy, robust farm ecosystem that provides food, medicine, land-based education, and cultural connection for the Nimpuc tribal community. In 2022, Pequoig Farm returned to Nipmuc stewardship thanks to a partnership with The Farm School, and their desire to uplift Nipmuc self-determination. Currently, Pequoig farm fosters connection to the region’s natural systems through cultivation, hunting, foraging, fishing, fiber arts, medicine-making, and ceremony. These efforts are addressing the long-term effects of colonization, enhancing health outcomes and strengthening food sovereignty.
Pequoig Farm & the Nipmuc/K community
Located in Orange, Massachusetts, on land formerly known as Maggie’s is now stewarded collectively by the Nipmuc/k community. The community-based 180-acre farm was the past site of the Learn to Farm Program. The land is stewarded by Nipmuc/ks and is coming alive with the tribe’s vision of a place that will hold land-based education and training, community events, and food and medicine distribution.
As an indigenous led farm, it utilizes and teaches indigenous farming techniques:
- Intercropping: Planting corn, beans, and squash together to protect and nourish each other and improve soil health.
- Planting medicinal herbs
- Practicing community harvesting and planting
- Practicing food preservation
The farm is becoming the center of a revival in indigenous food sovereignty, reflecting great knowledge of indigenous farming and the benefits of food sharing and is something to be proud of.
Pequoig Farm Bee Hives
As stewardship and food sovereignty initiatives continue Nipmuck Hunt & Fish Club (NCHF) and the Pequiog farmers have introduced beehives to help with farm pollination and as part of our stewardship activities.
Beekeeping training and honey harvesting are additional programs NCHF and Pequiog will be introducing in 2025 for all interested Nipmuck's.