Students across the Questa Independent School District gathered Thursday Oct. 23 for the annual Cosecha celebration, a community event that honors ancestral harvesting practices and the cultural traditions of northern New Mexico.
Hosted at Questa High School, the Cosecha brings together students of all grades to learn how their ancestors planted, harvested and preserved food from season to season. The event encourages hands-on activities and sharing of traditional foods, music and teachings that have supported local communities for generations.

This year’s celebration featured ceramics demonstrations, fresh homemade jam and jelly tastings, livestock presentation and handlings, and lessons on harvesting spices and drying herbs. Educators and local knowledge keepers guided students through the process of preparing seasonal crops for long-term use.

One highlight of the day included performances by Native American dancers from Taos Pueblo, who shared dances that pay tribute to the Indigenous peoples who have long stewarded the region’s lands and water. Organizers said the inclusion of Pueblo dancers offers students a deeper understanding of the historical significance of the harvest and the living traditions that continue today.

The annual Cosecha aims to strengthen community bonds and ensure traditional practices remain alive for future generations.