Our Beginning
Abriendo Caminos is a family owned urban farm and botánica. Our story began in 2018 after our abuelita, Mama Lisa, healed from Stage 4 terminal stomach cancer through the support of Guanabana commonly known as Soursop, holistic lifestyle changes and allopathic medicine.
Once Mama Lisa was back on her feet, she asked for help planting soursop seeds in the patio garden. Mama Lisa has always been a land tender, a ranchera. In Mexico, she worked on the rancho sowing seeds, feeding the cattle, and harvesting la milpa. It was innate for her to begin planting the seeds of the relative that saved her life. Soon enough, with Mama Lisa’s green thumb, over 500 seedlings sprouted. The space was filled with life, love and gratefulness for our plant relative. Once the patio became a jungle it was our call to start selling Soursop seedlings. This opened a path for us. Nos abrio un camino.
While offering these plants we realized that most of our customers were loved ones of or people that were also experiencing cancer. They were all seeking support from our plant relatives just like Mama Lisa did. Through this, we began to see the importance of growing our traditional medicines and sharing our learned wisdom. This is when we dove deep into growing and learning about medicinal plants and fruits from our homelands, eventually the garden outgrew the patio.
Where are we now?
We are now located in a 1/4 acre plot in Tijuana River Valley Regional Park. We have had many hard breaks and rough patches getting here but we trusted the process. Our urban farm jungle stands by traditional agriculture practices. We are focused on enriching our soils health, planting diverse and supporting the restoration of healthy ecosystems. We do this by having no till methods, incorporating perennials, and following organic farming practices naturally.
What we have learned
Throughout this journey, many paths opened for us. We found that we love reconnecting people and plants, we love tending to the land and we have learned and will always learn so much from her. One of the most important things we have learned is that we are one with the land and all relatives. That this work is ancestral and important for generational wealth, and the well being of ourselves as we are extensions of Mother Earth.
Our Goal
Our goal is to continue growing, learning and practicing. We hope that the work we are doing will encourage people to have conversations surrounding food as medicine, food security, food diversity, ancestral foods, and land based practices for wellness and wealth. Ultimately we want to continue growing our food forest to fully sustain ourselves, our family and our community.
