PROJECTS

Rebel Roots is a nonprofit in Placitas, New Mexico. It is dedicated to land restoration. The organization promotes accessible alternative living through community-supported education and self-sufficient systems.

Lessons Written in Soil, Water, and Survival

Rebel Roots was founded by Visionary leaders, Leslie Brewer and Michael Vecchitto. It is the culmination of years spent immersed in farming, off-grid living, and adaptive problem-solving across diverse landscapes “We’ve lived and farmed across climates ranging from rain-soaked coastal forests to drought-prone high desert, learning firsthand how to build resilient systems in radically different environments.”

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“We didn’t learn resilience from theory—we learned it from landscapes that demanded it.”

Regenerating Land Through Ecology

Land regeneration at Rebel Roots is guided by ecological relationships rather than chemical dependence. Clover is used as a living ground cover to naturally fix nitrogen and rebuild soil health. Sunflowers are planted to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, creating a supportive environment for crop production. Bees play a central role in this system—not only through pollination, venom therapy, and honey production, but as indicators of ecosystem health. Bee stewardship at Rebel Roots honors both their agricultural value and their long-standing role in traditional and alternative healing practices.

Rebel Roots also recognizes that regeneration does not stop at the land. Healing people from the roots up is part of the same philosophy. Through Rooted Empowerment Hypnotherapy, individuals are supported in rebuilding internal resilience, agency, and adaptability—addressing patterns beneath the surface rather than focusing solely on symptoms. While distinct from the nonprofit’s land-based work, this parallel practice reflects the same core belief: lasting change begins at the root level, whether in soil or in the subconscious.

At its core, Rebel Roots focuses on regenerating damaged or neglected land while teaching practical skills that reduce dependency on fragile systems. This includes soil restoration, water awareness, food production, and alternative building methods designed to be low-cost, durable, and achievable without specialized credentials or high financial barriers.

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