Meet Our Board of Directors

Executive Director of Agri-Cultura Network and La Cosecha CSA, ancestry a South Valley of Albuquerque farmer owned cooperative. Helga is Azetca Chichimeca Coahuilteca, an orginal Texas Indigenous Lineal Descendent. The AG network is inclusive of 72 allied farms and ranchers from urban and rural Rio Grande communities committed to sustainable and regenerative growing methods. Helga is inspired by justice, guided by her ancestral ceremonial agricultural calendar engaging the community through a holistic intergenerational approach in developing a sustainable food system and environmental agriculture economy for New Mexico. By developing community driven markets that strengthen and build assets of local farmers and ranchers while preserving New Mexico’s historic culture and tradition in sustainable agriculture. Helga is leading efforts that have increased equitable access to healthy local food. By removing structural barriers such as procurement policy, price, availability, and increasing nutritional knowledge through curriculum development of a holistic family-base wellness program that is bilingual, culturally relevant, and community based. Through these efforts Helga Garza is building the capacity ofNew Mexico’s urban and rural small farmers ability to keep production local through an effective farm to market system ensures household livelihood, by providing farmer’s the opportunity to grow food for their community contributes to positive health outcomes, economic activity and wellbeing. Helga is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leader 2018-2021, Castanea Fellow 2020, Chair Governing Board of the New Mexico Food and Agricultural Policy Council, President of South Valley Main Street
It is an honor to serve on TTBP Board of Directors. I am looking forward to sharing in the goal of establishing food sovereignty and reviving our culture, as well as our relationship to other tribes.

I currently work for homeland security as a contractor caring for the undocumented minors coming into the US from the south Texas border. Previously I served as an Account Manager at Healthcare Services Group at a Nursing and Rehab Center. I have an Associates degree in Alcohol & Substance Abuse Counseling and spent 7 years working at Duffy’s Napa Valley Rehab where I worked as a manager and held classes including mindfulness and meditation.

I live in Brackettville, Texas with my artist husband who is Lipan Apache. I am a mother of five and grandmother of seven. I am Navajo, a drum maker and carrier. I currently lead a drum circle in my town for women's support, healing and strength. I want women to always feel supported by women in healthy balanced ways. Recently, with the Lipan Apache band, we started up the Koh’ee Brackettville Community Garden with the goal of establishing food sovereignty and reviving our culture. In my free time I sew ribbon skirts. My husband and I are vendors at powwows and other events. I believe in Lucille's dream to bring back the buffalo and the matriarch leadership we were always

meant to hold
Jo Ann Rodriguez Betancourt, of the Jumano Indian Nation of Texas. Previously she served on the council and still serves as the Enrollment Registrar.
Born in Abilene Texas, but was raised in San Antonio. She always knew that she was native on her father’s side but never knew which tribe. When she learned that she was of Jumano decent and that they were Buffalo hunters from her mother’s side it took her totally by surprise. She went on to learn everything she could about the Jumanos and is still learning.
The Jumano ancestral lands are in the Far West Texas Big Bend Region, Chihuahua Mexico and specifically the area along the Rio Grande known as “La Junta de los Rios”. On her first journey to the Far West Texas area she made a special trip starting in Alpine and ending it at the Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park. She is very grateful that Big Bend is under the National Park Service, knowing that her ancestral lands will always be protected and appreciated.
Now when she travels through Far West Texas she views the landscape with a different sight. Imaging her ancestors on their buffalo hunts. One of the places she has visited is Bon Fire Shelter, a historically known Bison Drop in Langtry. JoAnn has been to a number of events in the San Antonio area and has made several amazing friendships and connections.
"I am extremely excited to serve on the Board of Directors for The Tribal Buffalo Project ".