ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A new South Valley community farm now stands on a former illegal dump site and organizers say families can use SNAP benefits there for organic produce.
The farm also offers incentives like Double Bucks, which matches SNAP-EBT dollars.
Agri-Cultura Network leaders said the project aims to grow food and support agriculture education in the South Valley.
“This dream started back in 2007. And again, this was an illegal dump site,” said Helga Garza.
Nearly 20 years later, organizers say that former dump site has become a community farm.
“It’s community coming together to try to address the needs, number one, of our community. But number two, also trying to address how the South Valley is rich in agriculture knowledge and continued production that has been handed down from one generation to the next,” said Garza.
Neighbors said they want to preserve that farming tradition and pass it on to younger generations.
“Having a space like this also helps to develop and cultivate the next generation of farmers. New Mexico as a whole is losing its farmer community, family farm heritage,” said Joseluis Ortiz y Muniz.
Ortiz y Muniz said teaching his 10-year-old daughter about fresh food already makes a difference for his family.
“Being able to teach my daughter the benefits of eating healthier foods, foods from the community, as opposed to chicken nuggets is really huge,” said Ortiz y Muniz.
The nearly $3 million farm includes two greenhouses to support year-round growing and give future farmers a place to learn.
“I think we have lost that generation of up-and-comers, young people being excited about farm to table, even if it’s a backyard garden,” said Shannon Jacques. “We need agriculture, we need engineers in agriculture, water, hydrology.”
Organizers leading the project said it is already working with 73 small-scale farmers and ranchers to make fresh locally grown food more accessible.
