Farming Maiz in Central Mexico

Figure at Xochitecatl holding ear of corn.- photo credit Connor Wilcox 2018      Mexico has a rich history of agriculture with insights into the lives of ancient people dating back hundreds of years B.C.E. The principle crop found in paintings and art from ancient times through present day is Maiz. It seems that agriculture was not simply a means for survival but a way of life, A bridge between deity and humanity, a center for worship, and an inspiration for artesians.     Much of the art in ancient America is thought to be religious in nature, most of this art is found at or near pyramids such as Teotihuacan, Cacaxtla, Xochitecatl, and Cholula. Xochitecatl and Cacaxtla are less well known and found in the small state of Tlaxcala, between Puebla and Mexico City. Xochitecatl is the older of the two and is dedicated to the goddess of fertility and flowers (says, 2022). Here we see some of the first art depicting the importance of maiz in the region. The people hav...

          Although Mexico is one of the world's leading producers of corn, central Mexico is a rough and ever-changing location to grow corn. Three of four corn farmers in Mexico live in either Puebla or Oaxaca. Both considered central Mexico where the climate is relentless with sporadic rainfall, unpredictable temperatures, pests and diseases, and intense heat (Gonzales, 2023). Here in these conditions where many poverty-stricken workers uphold the success of agriculture, there are not enough resources to purchase expensive machinery so the land depends on manual labor to be worked; The conditions are harsh and the labor is long. Dia al Dia     Each day these day workers and campesinos (small farmers) work the land sowing, irrigating, treating the plants against damage, harvesting, handling, and transportation of the crops. These farmhands work consistently through the various stages of agriculture and play a vital role in each phase. Because so ...

r El Milagro corn/maiz Tortillas. An example of Mexican agriculture meeting American marketing.         Tortillas have long been a staple of Mexican cuisine and culture. Although other sources including flour and wheat can be used, tortillas de maiz (corn tortillas) are the most common tortilla found in central Mexico in states such as Puebla and Tlaxcala where maiz is grown in nearly every possible site. Each meal is accompanied by tortillas, many of which are prepared in home, if time is short there is sure to be a tortilleria serving fresh tortillas nearby for your convenience. The expansive farming and harvest of maiz for millennia has provided great opportunity for farmers and merchants in Mexico and America alike. Although distinct, the traditions and eating habits of the United States and those of Mexico have created connections and had a meaningful impact on one another.     Originally part of the Mexican diet, tortillas now circulate through t...