Alicia's Reflexive Post

      As agriculture changes from culture to culture, so does the idea that an agricultural generation changes over time. For myself, I come from a long line of farmers, herders, and agricultural foundations. My great grandparent’s established a farm called Nelson’s Farm. It was full of life. It held horses, cattle, goats, sheep, and chickens. They would bail hay, and planted all of the crops that they saw were essential. Their biggest cash crop was their famous sweet corn. As did the Kayapo, their crops gave them satisfaction, and provided them with survival needs. However, as the generational responsibilities passed onto my uncle and my father, they only kept the farm for a little while. The Nelson farm, under careful counsel of my grandfather, was sold to different owners. In comparison to the Kayapo’s method of shifting cultivation, the land wasn’t used for a while after it was bought. The new owners might have used it to raise chickens for their eggs, but the land didn’t reside crops. In the end, both the Kayapo and the Nielsen family used their agricultural methods for a means of survival. As a 21^st century 18 year old, my position still stands in relation to this need for food, consumption, and economic involvement.

            This summer, I went down to Nicaragua on a mission’s trip. It brought to light so many new ideas, and multiple reflexive thoughts about the demands of agriculture. For one, there are many opportunities to grab fruit at will as you walked alongside the different roads. For the many times that my team and I, after miles and miles of walking, were in need of some energy, there would always be a fruit tree. At the time, it would have reminded me of the way that the Kayapo used to organize their land, so to speak. To recall the use of Nomadic agriculture, many soldiers during war time would need that same refreshment as they hiked the sides of the roads or trials. To combine these ideas, just as the soldiers did, I could just reach up to a tree that was planted purposefully on the side of the road, and enjoy. Now, of course the Nomadic approach was used for wartimes, so the trees down in Nicaragua could be used for other specific reasons. One of these reasons might be for the convenience of a woman’s work. If I were a providing mother in Nicaragua, I would be grateful for the easily accessible and free fruit that I could hand pick. Now, I am the minority race, and since I cannot fight in the war, I could work with my children to help provide for the troops, cops, and fathers in my village instead. Again, restating the idea of how thought out placement of agriculture can prove to be helpful for any culture.    

            When talking about the placement of things, whether it be flowers in a garden or furniture in a house, I consider my placement in society. As I reflect on my research of this indigenous group, I take time to analyze my posts. Did I carefully and correctly talk about the Kayapo’s agricultural history? Was I respectful in explaining their unique culture? You see, as women I might not be in the position to talk as if I completely comprehend the difficulties the Kayapo faced, or did face. For example, more than likely the men’s job was to harvest the crops, defend against the danger facing their village, or appreciate the conveniences of Nomadic agriculture during the wars. Sure, I have the computer, the adequate research capacity, and the modern technology to formulate a great speculation of it all, but it still doesn’t make me a Kayapo member.

            All in all, agriculture is universal, but technologically different throughout varying cultures. As I reflect on the stories from my family and how they tackled farming, I notice similarities and differences. As two different societies, we can diffuse different ideas over time and space, and learn from the Kayapo. To ponder my situation, I can innovate the way we farm today by being inspired by the historical ways of the Kayapo. Carefully integrating new ways of conducting agriculture is one way to appreciate other community’s ways of life. For myself, it opens my eyes to see the unique aspects or traditions of different indigenous groups. From here comes appreciation, and the desire to know more about people other than myself that come from various backgrounds. I can learn plenty about the dynamics of this world by getting to know the dynamic cultures that populate it.