Understory is a small-scale nursery and community engagement project in Northern New Mexico.
In addition to our nursery, we facilitate opportunities to learn, share, and deepen our connection to the lands we love.
We believe this connection grows through observation, memory, relationship, and lived experience. It is a story continually unfolding.
We grow a selection of native, medicinal and dry land plants grown from seed gathered from locally adapted eco-types and trusted seed-saving sources.
We work with Northern New Mexico College’s La Querencia Greenhouse to bring plants, seeds, and continuing education classes geared toward growing resilient gardens.
In 2027, we’ll facilitate place-based story crafting through writing, photography, audio, and more, building an interactive community field guide and map of the lands we know and care for.
Understory was born from a belief that caring for land also means tending the stories, relationships, and knowledge rooted there.
Founded by plant steward and storytelling facilitator Ash Haywood, Understory brings together nearly two decades of farming, community-driven storytelling, youth mentorship, and seed stewardship in Northern New Mexico.