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YESA Farm is where ceremony, seed, soil, and sovereignty come together.
The 7 Directions of Service YESA Farm—named for the word Yesá, meaning "the People" in our Siouan Tutelo language—serves as a sanctuary for Indigenous and BIPOC communities to reconnect with ancestral knowledge, food, and the Earth, while promoting Indigenous food sovereignty. The name YESA evokes memory, resilience, and purpose.
Located in the heart of Occaneechi Saponi territory, YESA Farm sits on land that Crystal's family has stewarded for over 200 years in what is now Alamance County, North Carolina. Over more than 16 seasons, our garden has expanded from 4 Directional raised beds to 13, following the Braiding the Sacred model passed down by our elders. We cultivate the Three Sisters (Corn, Beans, Squash), the Fourth Sister (Sunflower), traditional fruits, berries, herbs, and medicines, all of which are integral to our community gardening initiatives.
At YESA Farm, we emphasize intergenerational learning, inviting youth to sit beside elders and learn not only how to plant, but also how to remember and practice rematriation practices. Our programming includes seasonal teachings, community celebrations, food sovereignty training, and healing gatherings. We also host recurring Land Days, where individuals of all ages and abilities are welcome to come out and tend the land with us.
We have big dreams for this space, including:
- Expanding the garden
- Building a seed bank
- Restoring a historic community space
- Growing our cultural programming
Welcome to the Remembering Forward Fund!
As we navigate climate catastrophe and the grip of fascism, the ancient healing strategies of Indigenous cultures are here to guide us. The return of land and the reclamation of land-based practices, languages, and customs are inseparable and vital for our lifeways to thrive. To illuminate the path forward, it's essential to put Landback into Indigenous hands, a process known as Rematriation. This includes supporting Indigenous food sovereignty through community gardening initiatives that foster sustainable food practices.
You can be a part of Landback and Rematriation in the Southeast through our Remembering Forward Fund. The 7DS Remembering Forward Fund is dedicated to the expenses associated with Indigenous-led land stewardship and programming related to YESA Farm locations in NC and VA.
Contributing = Land Tax
We propose making annual contributions to the fund as a form of land tax. This volunteer contribution allows non-Indigenous people living on Indigenous land to support our work. Along with honoring ancestral healing and dismantling white supremacy, embracing land tax embodies the solidarity and accountability we expect from our settler community members and collaborators. Learn more on our blog.
