Ayllu Community Network

Ayllu Community Network Holistic and Sustainable Community Building. Aymara Indigenous model, living in wellness interconnected with one another and with nature.

Community system of sustainable reciprocity. The founders of Ayllu Community Network are of Aymara Indigenous heritage and are basing their social enterprise on their traditional model of sustainability. “Suma Qamaña” is the Aymara concept of living in wellness interconnected with one another and with nature. The "Ayllu" is the grassroots level of the Indigenous Andean Community system, used both

in Quechua and Aymara. Each Ayllu is formed of multiple families that work together in sustainable reciprocity, "Ayni."

🌾 We’ve Been Quiet. But We’ve Been Building. 🌾The Ayllu Community Network was created with a simple, urgent belief:Stron...
06/24/2025

🌾 We’ve Been Quiet. But We’ve Been Building. 🌾
The Ayllu Community Network was created with a simple, urgent belief:
Strong communities don’t wait for change. They grow it.

We believe in neighbors over systems.
In self-reliance over dependency.
In dignity over division.

And we’re proud to announce that our first major project is about to launch.
After months of groundwork, we’re building a local food cooperative — right here in Colorado Springs.

The Front Range Co-op

This cooperative will bring together farmers, gardeners, bakers, ranchers, and cottage producers into one unified force:

To reclaim control of our food

To restore local wealth and independence

To reconnect communities to the land and to each other

From Fannie Lou Hamer’s Freedom Farm Cooperative,
to Dr. King’s advocacy for economic justice,
to the mutual aid traditions that sustained people when systems failed them —
this is the kind of action that changes lives.

🌱 Not through speeches.
🌱 Not through elections.
🌱 But through soil, sweat, seeds, and solidarity.

The co-op will provide:
✅ Shared resources for producers
✅ Lower costs and higher access for consumers
✅ Local ownership, local power, and local accountability
✅ A real answer to rising prices and declining health

This is food independence.
This is grassroots infrastructure.
This is the Ayllu Network’s vision — finally taking root.

📣 We’re calling on growers, helpers, builders, and believers.
If you’re looking for something real to be part of — reach out.
Let’s grow this movement together.

📬 DM us, comment below, or follow along as we launch something worth harvesting.
Power grows where people plant it. 🌿

A break down on the economic impact of a food co-op
08/15/2024

A break down on the economic impact of a food co-op

Keynote speech by Janelle Orsi at the Berkshire Cooperative annual member meeting, November 1, 2014.

08/15/2024

We are currently aiming at starting or supporting a Farmers Co-op around Colorado Springs. The purpose being to create localized food systems that can be both profitable for producers and affordable for consumers. While being resilient against possible disasters, be they natural, economic, or otherwise man-made.
We have identified Three organizations that have opportunities for synergy with this plan. Those being
Localvore Colorado - A co-op of various local business
Farm2Fork-A family owned food delivery system
and
PuebloFoodProject- A community based coalition aimed at creating sustainable systems for health food access in Pueblo

We are reaching out to each to form relationships. At this time we are seeking farmers, large scale gardeners, and other agriculturalists in El Paso area who are interested in joining/forming this Farmers Co-op

Send a message to learn more

06/28/2024

DON'T STARVE IN THE WILD! These 10 North American Plants Could Save Your Life in a Survival Situation...

When you're in a survival situation, knowing which plants you can forage can mean the difference between life and death. Here are 10 life-saving plants commonly found in the USA that you can eat to survive:

1. Dandelions 🌼
These common weeds are edible from root to flower. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, the flowers can be used in teas or salads, and the roots can be roasted as a coffee substitute.

2. Cattails 🌾
Cattails are often found near water sources. The young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked, the roots can be ground into flour, and the pollen can be used as a thickening agent in soups and stews.

3. Wild Garlic 🧄
Easily recognizable by its strong garlic smell, wild garlic can be used just like regular garlic. The bulbs and leaves are both edible and add a flavorful punch to your meals.

4. Clover ☘️
Both red and white clover are edible. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and the flowers can be dried and used to make a nutritious tea.

5. Chickweed 🌿
This small, green plant is packed with nutrients. Chickweed can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a leafy green. It's a great source of vitamins and minerals.

6. Purslane 🌱
Purslane is a succulent that grows low to the ground. It's high in omega-3 fatty acids and can be eaten raw or cooked. Its slightly sour taste adds a nice zing to salads.

7. Plantain 🍃
Not to be confused with the banana-like fruit, this plant is often found in lawns and gardens. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and are known for their medicinal properties.

8. Wild Strawberries 🍓
Wild strawberries are smaller than their cultivated counterparts but are just as delicious. They are usually found in sunny, grassy areas and are a delightful treat in the wild.

9. Burdock 🥕
Burdock roots are edible and can be cooked like carrots. This plant is often found in disturbed soils and can provide a substantial source of nutrition in a survival situation.

10. Acorns 🌰
Found under oak trees, acorns can be a valuable food source. They need to be leached of their tannins by soaking in water before they are safe to eat, but they can then be ground into flour or eaten as nuts.

Knowing these plants and how to prepare them can help you survive in the wild. Always make sure to positively identify any plant before consuming it to avoid poisonous look-alikes. It's a good idea to always carry a portable or wallet-sized full-color foraging guide so you know what's safe to eat if you should find yourself in this situation. Stay safe and forage wisely!

05/27/2024
05/19/2024

Human footprints found at White Sands National Park in New Mexico offer a fascinating glimpse into the distant past, dating back between 21,000 to 23,000 years ago. These footprints provide valuable insight into the early human presence in North America and shed light on the migration patterns and behaviors of our ancient ancestors.

The discovery of these ancient footprints at White Sands National Park is particularly significant as they challenge the conventional timeline of human inhabitation in the Americas. Previously, it was widely believed that the first humans arrived in North America around 13,000 years ago via the Bering Land Bridge. However, these footprints suggest that humans were present in the region thousands of years earlier, opening up new possibilities for understanding the early peopling of the Americas.

The footprints found at White Sands National Park offer a tangible connection to our distant past, allowing us to imagine the individuals who left their mark on the ancient landscape. Each footprint tells a story of human movement and interaction with the environment, providing clues about the activities and daily life of these early inhabitants. By studying the size, shape, and spacing of the footprints, researchers can glean information about the age, gender, and even possibly the social structure of the individuals who made them.

Moreover, the location of these footprints in the pristine and arid landscape of White Sands National Park has helped preserve them for thousands of years, offering a rare and valuable opportunity for scientific study. By analyzing the sediment layers surrounding the footprints, researchers can reconstruct the environmental conditions at the time they were made, providing insights into the climate, vegetation, and animal life of the region during the late Pleistocene era.

The human footprints from White Sands National Park in New Mexico represent a remarkable discovery that challenges our understanding of early human migration in North America. These footprints serve as a tangible link to our ancient past, offering valuable insights into the lives and movements of the early inhabitants of the region. Through continued research and study, we can deepen our knowledge of human history and better appreciate the rich tapestry of human experience that spans millennia.

John Gonzalez
Standing Bear Network

Recipe in comments 😋🤤
05/19/2024

Recipe in comments 😋🤤

Attention KIDS! I'm looking for some kids to taste test a recipe for an Indigenous Pizza Crust. If you have kids that are willing to try something new, let me know.
Pizza sauce is already Indigenous as are a lot of toppings but this is regular dairy cheese on top so don't feel like you need to get crazy with the pizza itself. Edit: I can't message people directly without prior contact so I posted the recipe in the comments. ☺️ 🍕

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Colorado Springs, CO

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