Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe members create a healthy garden

At the end of February, before COVID-19 disrupted normal life, members of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe, in a remote area of Riverside County, gathered to plant vegetables and herbs in the A'Avutem (elders) garden.

Members of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe plant vegetables and herbs in the A’Avutem (elders) garden on Feb. 27, 2020.

Six raised garden boxes were installed several years ago with funding from the California Rural Indian Health Board, but stood empty. UC Cooperative Extension nutrition, family and consumer sciences advisor Chutima Ganthavorn and vegetable crops advisor Jose Aguiar obtained approval from the Tribal Council to engage the Youth Council in planting a new garden with seniors.

Three youth and six senior members of the tribe harvested produce on the morning of May 12, 2020.

This intergenerational group planted chili peppers, bell peppers, onions, cherry tomatoes, tomatoes, corn, mint, basil and lemon grass Feb. 27. Select tribal members, including three youth and six seniors, harvested produce on the morning of May 12. While wearing masks and practicing social distance protocols, they harvested three boxes of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and chili peppers.

"It is really nice to see the fruit of their efforts," Ganthavorn said.

Members of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indian Tribe created a healthy vegetable garden.

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