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A green field with the Sandia Mountains in the background

Discover Your Great Big Holistic Farm Life

By Agri Nature Center, Events2 Comments

Setting Priorities, Land & Climate Challenges, and Finding Opportunities

Sign up for the workshop

Designed for curious, beginning farmers, this free day-long workshop introduces agriculture in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, including environment, community, markets, and farmer goals.  Activities will include on-farm tour, guided self-assessment, expert presentations, and panel discussions to examine farming options in the Middle Rio Grande Valley, climate trends, principles of regenerative agriculture, and crop choices matched to consumer demand in local markets, ranging from CSAs to commercial and municipal entities.  Participants will self-assess their attitudes about farming as individuals and as members of family and community, thereby identifying gaps and goals for improvement.

  • Agricultural climate and trends, now to the year 2100.
  • Appreciate the major soil types and irrigation needs in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.
  • Farm tour of best practices, infrastructure, and equipment choices.
  • Find out how to join markets in the area.
  • Consider your attitude about running a small farm involving finances, family, community, and future generations.

Agenda

  • 8:30 AM Arrive at the Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center4920 Rio Grande Blvd. NW.
  • 8:45 AM Welcome from Rio Grande Community Farm — Jamie Welles, Ex. Dir.
  • 9:00 AM Overview: The Holistic Picture
    • Self-knowledge pre-assessment
  • 9:15 AM Knowing Your Attitude: The ABC Model — Bruce Milne
    • Assess Your Attitudes about farming, money, food, family, work
  • 10:15 AM Break
    • 10:30 AM Gap Analysis: What are my priorities for creating success?
  • 11:00 AM Sense of Place: Land, Water, and Climate Trajectory
    • Geography 101 — The Middle Rio Grande Valley – Chris Duvall
    • Climate Change, 1985 to 2100 — NM Envir. Dept.
  • 12:00 PM Lunch Outside
  • 12:30 PM Panel: Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture
    • 12:45 PM Incubator programs at RGCF, Tres Hermanas Kitchen — Jamie Welles, Anzia Bennet
    • High-value Specialty Crops
  • 1:45 PM Break
    • 2:00 PM How to join markets: public, private, institutional
    • Principles of regenerative agriculture
  • 3:00 PM Tractor Ride Tour: RGCF and Agri-Nature Center — Kelvin Schenk
    • Soils, no-till, & cover cropping
    • Infrastructure & Equipment
    • Solar power & carbon neutrality goal
    • Weather station for smarter irrigation
    • Beneficial biodiversity
  • 4:45 PM Assessment of Today’s Program — Colleen McRoberts
  • 5:00 PM Adjourn and Pre-Registration for the Next Workshop
October 31, 2021
Keep it Green #RGCF @riograndecommunityfarm

Keep it Green

By News2 Comments

Andy Jo, the creator of this sign, is the proprietor of Space Dog Farms and one of the RGCF small farmers in the open space. He hid the sign somewhere on the farm… Find the sign and tag a picture of yourself on Instagram with @riograndecommunityfarm and the #RGCF hashtag (help us reclaim it!), and we’ll send you a Rio Grande Community Farm Sticker.

Keep it Green sign, in context.

September 12, 2020
Hops in hops yard

What we do

By Agri Nature Center2 Comments

The Agri Nature Center role is to encourage a new generation of farmers and growers through programming and giving the community the tools and resources to become a competant in their field. We do this by outreach, education, farming projects and research in small scale agriculture. We welcome new farmers to grow on our lands or in our community. We build connections to help new growers and farmers from land to grant funding.

March 12, 2020
Land at Ag Center

About the Agri Nature Center

By Agri Nature CenterNo Comments

The Land

The Agri Nature Center is a 25 acre property with large building facility of classrooms and warehouse located at 4920 Rio Grande Boulevard N.W.

The lands consist of Lavender field, Orchard, Hops Yard, Vineyard, 21 Raised beds, Hoop house and Fields of Alfalfa.

The Facility

The Agri Nature Center is community facility for our agriculture mission. At the facility we host festivals, conferences, workshops, farms camps, master gardeners, volunteers to help achieve our agricultural goals. The facility is also has a seasonal farmer who farms the property.

Programming

Explora

Explora and the village of Los Ranchos host Farm Camps for kids in spring, summer and fall 2020 at the Ag Center.

Sign up
March 12, 2020
Cranes flying at the farm

RGCF is Hiring an Executive Director

By Jobs2 Comments

Rio Grande Community Farm Seeks Executive Director

We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

  • Location: Rio Grande Community Farm, 1701 Montano Rd NW Albuquerque, NM  87107
  • Hours: Part time, approx. 20 hours per week

Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF), established in 1997, is a local leader in sustainable urban agriculture, education, healthy food, and wildlife conservation. RGCF is home to a thriving community garden with over fifty members, hosts a refugee farming project called Tres Hermanas Farm, and is well known for organizing community events such as the Maize Maze and Farmstrong.

We seek an experienced Executive Director who will work closely with the RGCF Board of Directors and local partners to lead, develop and execute strategic objectives for the farm’s expanding programs. The executive director will help diversify fundraising efforts, expand programming, and represent the organization at local events and with partners.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement strategic plans with the board of directors that meet business goals and objectives created in partnership with the Board of Directors.
  • Hire and manage other farm employees and volunteers, including the community garden coordinator, contractors, and event management team.
  • Ensure commitment to and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations across the organization.
  • Foster a culture of transparency and communication throughout the organization.
  • Develop positive relationships with key stakeholders, including members, donors, and government agencies.
  • Proactively address challenges in the internal and external environment to protect RGCF’s interests.
  • Take initiative to grow RGCF’s fundraising capacity and operating budget.
  • Track and address public policy issues relevant to the farm.

Skills

  • A degree in business administration or a related field, or three years of equivalent experience in a management role.
  • At least three years previous experience in a senior leadership role.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful strategic plans.
  • Deep understanding of financial strategies and finance-related performance metrics.
  • Strong aptitude for verbal and written communication, presentation, and relationship development.

Other Desired Experience

Farming / agricultural business • Education • Marketing and Public Relations • Fundraising • Event Management and Planning • Public Speaking • Grant Writing • G Suite • Quickbooks • Policy Analysis, In-depth knowledge of best practices in nonprofit management and governance

Compensation will be $25-$30/hr (depending on experience). Healthcare stipend available.
Two weeks of holiday time (40 hours).

We are no longer accepting applications for this position.

February 15, 2020

ZiAmaizing Maze

By Events, UncategorizedNo Comments

Note – This is an archived post.

This post is from a previous event. We hold the maze annually. Please visit the Maize Maze page for more current info.

Come one come all to ZiAmaizing Maze at Rio Grande Community Farm’s 21st Annual Maize Maze October 11 – November 1 at Los Poblanos Open Space in Albuquerque’s North Valley.  The Maize Maze is the largest fundraising event of the year for Rio Grande Community Farm, which funds much of their 501(c)(3) non-profit urban farming efforts. These efforts include their Community Garden, providing support for local food networks, providing farm based learning, and maintaining wildlife habitats.

 

Come find your way through the 3.8 mile, 8-acre corn maze cut in the shape of a Zia.  With support from The Zia Pueblo, we are making an interactive effort to educate the community about the heritage of the Zia symbol, culture, and agriculture as you explore ZiAmaizing Maze. The corn maze is a fun filled way for the entire family to spend a fall day together at the farm enjoying pumpkin painting, hayrides, games, live music, food trucks, breweries, and more!

October 8, 2019
Oktoberfest Farmstrong Bales, Beers & Brats 5k/10k/fun run

FarmStrong 2019 – 3rd Annual 5K/10K/Fun Run Oktoberfest

By EventsNo Comments

Note – This is an archived post.

This post is from 2019. We hold the race annually. Please visit the Farmstrong Race page for more current info.

Oktoberfest! Bales, Beer & Brats!

On Saturday, October 26th, celebrate Octoberfest and support Rio Grande Community Farm! Join us for a beautiful run in open space nature which includes the fun challenge of jumping over hay bales! Celebrate your leaps with Brews and Brats after the race!

Get your tickets here

Where

Rio Grande Community Farm

1701 Montaño Road NW

Albuquerque, NM. 87107

When

October 26th, 2019

9:30 AM – 10k run with hay bale jump course followed by Beer and Brats!

10:00 AM – 5k run with hay bale jump course followed by Beer and Brats!

11:15AM – Root Beer Run, Family & Dog Friendly Fun Run followed by Root Beer Floats and Hot Dogs!

Advanced Prices

Price increases after October 1st. Get your tickets in advance to secure the best deal.

10k: $40

5k: $30

Fun Run: $20

 

 

August 16, 2019
Sorghum at the maze

Planting New Roots

By NewsNo Comments

Tres Hermanas Farm began in November 2016, through an Office of Refugee Resettlement Grant received by Lutheran Family Services Albuquerque Office. The program aims to connect refugee families with the land, water, seeds, tools and other resources needed to grow food. Tres Hermanas Farm is housed on three separate properties, the biggest and most productive of which is right here on the Rio Grande Community Farm. There are two other small, urban garden plots located in the International District.

Our partnership with Tres Hermanas has led to collaborations on workshops, cultural exchanges between refugee gardeners and RGCF community gardeners, increased production on RGCF land, a great diversity of produce being grown on a small area, and now, the organization of another year of the Maize Maze!

We couldn’t be more pleased having our friends from Burundi, the Congo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Chad growing food for their families and to sell at farmers’ markets, right here on the RIo Grande Community Farm. Join us for the Annual Maize Maze the last two weekends of October and take a tour of Tres Hermanas Farm!

The Maize Maze Presents: Farmstrong Race and Festival!

Join us October 27th 2018 for the Farmstrong Fall Festival and the Farmstrong 10k/5k/fun Run! Sign up now to reserve your spot at the Farmstrong Race; run through the golden fields of the Los Poblanos Open Space, enjoy the crisp fall air, and the beautiful migratory birds that spend the winter in our agricultural fields. After the race, explore the 8-acre Maize Maze and engage with the educational activities offered by Explora, the Bio Park and the Audubon Society. Live music will start at 1pm, and Steel Bender Brewyard will be serving in the beer garden all day long.

Music line up:

Food Trucks:

  • El Paisa Express
  • My Sweet Basil
  • The Supper Truck

Steel Bender Brewyard will be serving beer!

Bluefly Farms will be serving shrubs, sparkling water, and lavender infused treats!

Big Jim’s Farm will have pumpkins for sale!

Chispas Farm will have veggies for sale!

Farm Shark will be selling the finest pickles in town!

 

October 3, 2018

Dear Rio Grande Community Farm Supporter

By NewsNo Comments

This is a post from 2017. Please visit our blog for the latest from RGCF.

–

This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. We could not have reached this important milestone without the support of donors like you and we thank you for your loyal support.

 


The ground work has been laid by the staff and board of directors for the visions listed above. We need your financial support to sustain these visions in the future. Here are the facts:

 

  • In two years of programming, Las Huertas has graduated 8 new farmers. This specialized training is not offered anywhere else in the state or the region.
  • RGCF has received $30,150 in grant money over the last year directly related to the Las Huertas farmer training.
  • Grant monies are tied to programming expenses therefore we rely on donations to meet our operating expenses.
  • We need $4000-$5000/month to meet bare minimum costs of operation including staff contractor fees (no raises in three years), utilities, insurance, tractor repairs, water costs, seeds and office supplies. Theft of equipment from the Community Garden this year has cost RGCF $800 that was not budgeted.

 

We are struggling to meet these costs and need your help. Visit riograndefarm.org/get-involved/donate/ and support Rio Grande Community farm’s ongoing mission of “working to improve the health of our community through sustainable agriculture, wildlife habitat and education“ with a tax-deductible contribution today!

 

With Warm Regards,
Christine Jackson
Board President
P.S. In addition to your donation, please consider joining the Rio Grande Community Farm’s Board of Directors by contacting our Secretary, Debbie Miles at debbiemiles@riograndefarm.org.

November 30, 2017