On the third Saturday in July, everything at the Weltacker Berlin in Pankow revolved around the milpa and how to care for it. The milpa is a traditional agricultural system that originated in Mesoamerica many centuries ago. It consists of the so-called “Three Sisters”—corn, beans, and squash. These plants support each other’s growth and, when combined, also provide a balanced meal.
Tlayolan Berlin is cultivating the milpa in Pankow using old Mexican corn varieties. Among other varieties, red, white, and red-and-white corn are growing there; they are now about one meter tall. The team spent four hours hoeing and weeding so that the milpa plants could once again get more light and air.
In addition to the hands-on work, the session also focused on the so-called milpa diet—a plant-based way of eating. The central question was: What foods does the milpa provide, and how can we incorporate them into our diet?
Why not stop by our 2,000 m² exhibit at the Blankenfelde-Pankow Botanical Public Park to learn more about the three sisters!
Since 2022, the Weltacker Youth Council has been working with us—an exciting project that brings young people in Berlin together. They all share one goal: a voice in Berlin’s food policy!