Hecho en Humboldt: Cultivating Culture, Nourishment, and Resistance with Aquilli Metzli
A free community masa workshop hosted by Aquilli Metzli & the North Coast Growers Association.
Tucked among the redwoods and ocean fog of California’s North Coast, a quiet revolution is taking root—one tortilla at a time.
Aquilli Metzli, which means Red Corn Moon, is more than a name. It’s a vision. A promise. A reclaiming. Co-founded by Adriana Salgado & Octavio Acosta, with a growing network of community members, this Latine-led cooperative is working to re-indigenize food systems through the sacred tradition of the Milpa—a deeply rooted, ancestral practice of communal land-tending centered on maize, beans, and squash.
At its heart, Aquilli Metzli is a dream of reconnection.
A New Economy Grown from Ancestral Seeds
For centuries, Milpas fed families, nourished soil, and upheld Indigenous knowledge systems. They provided more than calories—they offered stability, belonging, and sovereignty. But displacement, colonization, and corporate food systems have severed many from that heritage.
Aquilli Metzli was born to bridge that gap.
“We dream of communal land tending,” Adriana shares. “Our ancestors relied on Milpas not only for food, but for fuel, fiber, medicine—everything. The migrations caused by colonial and neoliberal violence disconnected us from that land, and left us isolated and wounded.”
By reviving the Milpa here in Humboldt, Aquilli Metzli is creating a seed-to-table Latine pantry for the region—one that includes fresh masa, tortillas, dry beans, chiles, herbs, canned tomatillos and tomatoes, and more. But these are more than pantry staples. They’re cultural threads, woven back into everyday life.
And it’s not just about growing food. It’s about growing a cooperative economy—one built on ancestral values of shared labor, reciprocity, and care.
Culture as Currency, Healing as Practice
From the beginning, Aquilli Metzli was established as a cooperative, not a traditional business. That choice was intentional.
“A cooperative lets us build with values beyond profit,” says Adriana. “It’s a practice in civic engagement, and a rare opportunity to create the systems we must live in.”
In a world dominated by extractive economies, the co-op model offers something radically different: democracy, sustainability, and collective resilience. It’s a space where Latine and Indigenous communities can build wealth through cultural practices—earning a living by tending land, making food, and teaching others to do the same.
A Year of Sharing the Dream
Still in its first year, Aquilli Metzli has spent much of their time painting the picture of what’s possible. And people are listening.
“Every time we share our story, someone says, ‘Yes. This is my dream too,’” Adriana says. “That’s powerful. That keeps us going.”
Their vision is clear: a Humboldt where cultural jobs pay living wages, where every child sees their food and their heritage reflected in the community, and where access to fresh, non-GMO Milpa foods is not a luxury, but a given. They’re not just talking about equity. They’re cooking it. Planting it. Organizing it.
The Challenge of Growing a Movement
The work isn’t easy. One of the biggest hurdles is the high entry barrier for beginner farmers. Land is expensive. Infrastructure is costly. And most small-scale farmers are underpaid and overworked.
“How do we build an economy where farmers can provide for their families and still have time to be in community?” Adriana asks. “That’s our biggest challenge.”
Still, Aquilli Metzli believes a cooperative model—rooted in Indigenous knowledge—can create a future where farming is dignified, viable, and joyful.
What You Don’t See—but Should
When we talk about food justice or sustainability, we often overlook the structure of the systems we’re trying to change. That’s where cooperatives shine.
“Co-ops let us build relationships around values other than capital,” Adriana explains. “They help communities survive recessions, offer better longevity, and create real resilience.”
Aquilli Metzli is part of a movement to reclaim not just food, but power—one rooted in shared ownership, cultural wisdom, and intergenerational healing.
How to Get Involved
Aquilli Metzli isn’t just looking for donors. They’re building a community. You can:
Sign up for hands-on learning at their Masa Workshop with NCGA on July 29
Listen to their story on the upcoming NCGA “Humboldt County Grown” podcast
Or become a volunteer member, helping with land tending, events, or workshops
🌐 Learn more at aquillimetzli.com
📱 Follow along at @aquillimetzli
💸 Donate via Venmo: @AquilliMetzli
We share this story with deep respect for the Latine and Indigenous communities who call the North Coast home. The words above are inspired by the voices, dreams, and work of Aquilli Metzli Cooperative. Every effort has been made to reflect their vision accurately, and we remain committed to listening, learning, and honoring the leadership of those building community-rooted futures.