About Us
Restoring Traditional Foodways Through Composting and Community
At Nohwi’ Ida’ii, which means “Our Life” in Apache, we believe that food is more than survival — it’s a connection to land, culture, and community. We are an Indigenous-owned composting business based in Camp Verde, Arizona, working to bring sustainable, soil-building solutions to tribal and surrounding communities.
Our Why
Across our tribal and rural communities, we face multiple challenges:
Our Why
Across our tribal and rural communities, we face multiple challenges:
- • Limited access to healthy food
- • Loss of traditional foodways
- • Chemical-heavy, poor-quality soil
- • Food waste polluting landfills
Our Mission
To restore traditional foodways and promote wellness through composting, education, and cultural reconnection.
- • Reduce food waste locally
- • Support food sovereignty
- • Educate all ages hands-on
- • Reinforce cultural values
Our Services
- • Food Waste Collection: Weekly or bi-weekly pickup
- • Compost Soil Sales: Reusable garden-ready bags
- • Educational Workshops: Community-based learning
- • Consulting Services: For schools and nonprofits
Where We're Headed
We envision a future where tribal and local communities are thriving through composting, growing their own food, and teaching the next generation how to live in balance with the earth. In the next few years, we plan to expand our reach, serve more families, and create more opportunities for education, employment, and food access.
What Makes Us Different
Indigenous-owned and operated
Deep ties to the Yavapai-Apache community
Hands-on teaching from lived experience
Culturally grounded, sustainability-driven
We don’t just remove waste — we bring life back to the soil
About Our Founder
Angel Martinez is the heart behind Nohwi’ Ida’ii. Raised on tribal land and deeply committed to community wellness, Angel began this journey through her work with the Yavapai-Apache Nation Environmental Department. Her experience in composting, gardening, and education — combined with a passion for cultural revitalization — led to the founding of a business that brings together environmental stewardship and Indigenous knowledge.
She also created The Garden of Life, a nonprofit food sovereignty and healing garden, and continues to collaborate with schools, elders, and youth to keep traditional wisdom alive.