This term refers to the ancient Native American technique of growing corn, beans, and squash together. (In Mesoamerica, this was called "milpa"). Corn acts as a trellis to support climbing bean vines. Beans add nitrogen as a necessary nutrient, squash provides shade and root protection. For thousands of years these have gone together for a mutually beneficial relationship. This particular field which I found in Oaxaca, Mexico was slightly past its prime which made it visually interesting and challenging to paint.
