In 1779, Handsome Lake, a Seneca Chief, had a vision amidst turmoil. The US military's attacks devastated his community. In his vision, he encountered the spirits of the Three Sisters—corn, beans, and squash—symbolizing sustainable agriculture. This ancient farming practice contrasts modern monocropping, soil degradation, and excessive fertilizer use. Regenerative agriculture, like the Three Sisters, promotes sustainable food production, respecting nature's interconnectedness.
Vocabulary
Devastation: Severe and widespread destruction or damage.
Turmoil: A state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty.
Monocropping: The agricultural practice of growing a single crop species in a given area year after year.
Depleted: Used up, emptied, or greatly reduced in resources or supplies.
Replenish: To refill or restore to its former level or condition.
Microbes: Microscopic organisms, especially bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Fertilizers: Substances, typically chemical or natural, that are applied to soil or plants to promote growth and increase fertility.
Intensive: Involving or requiring a lot of effort or energy; thorough or vigorous.
Incorporating: Including or combining something as part of a whole.
Interconnected: Having connections or relationships with other parts; mutually joined or related