We are fortunate to have Tina Square as the new technical assistance specialist for the Eastern region. She is a seed steward and local grower from the Mohawk
Nation of Akwesasne. Tina is passionate about preservation of ancestral
seed varieties, Native youth empowerment and Agricultural education in
cultural concepts.
Tina’s passion for growing began at the Ohero:kon Garden Project in the
spring of 2016. It was a youth-led garden initiative for selected past
Ohero:kon initiates to learn how to grow vegetables, mentor other youth
and provide fresh produce to the community. While also graduating
from the North Country Community College with an Associates degree
in Business Administration. From there she moved on to be an educator
at the Native North American Traveling College teaching Mohawk
language, cultural practices, Agriculture and traditional food
preparation. Leading the Io’nonhekwen Garden Project for youth from
the local school districts to work together to grow a traditional three
sisters garden and introduce traditional recipes to their palettes.
In 2019 she became the Assistant Farm Manager for the Strong
Roots Community Garden where the Akwesasne Farmers Market was
launched. She learned Marketing, Farmers Market sales, pest and
disease identification, and indoor and outdoor growing techniques.
Continuing to share education about Agricultural practices around the
community.
The Coronavirus pandemic affected all of Indian Country. In April
of 2020, Tina was hired at the Seneca Nation Agricultural Dept. where
she helped lead several community giveaways such as the seed
giveaway, the plant giveaway and the free community garden tilling
program.
Tina became the Eastern Region Technical Assistant with the IAC
in April of 2021. She looks forward to the connections that will be made
across the region and working to support agricultural endeavors and
ancestral practices in Indian Country.