Our Story
A Community Farm in the Heart of the San Luis Valley
The Rio Grande Farm Park is a 38 acre community farm in Alamosa, Colorado. The Farm Park is home to family and commercial farmers, and hosts volunteer, and educational programs while maintaining a public space for the community to enjoy.
Nurturing Community, Cultivating Change
At Rio Grande Farm Park, we believe in the power of sustainable agriculture, cultural preservation, and community engagement. Discover our story, rooted in a shared vision of creating a place where people can connect, learn, and grow.
The Vision:
The Rio Grande Farm Park holds at its core Preservation and Creation: the preservation of the San Luis Valley’s agricultural heritage, precious water resources, and open public spaces; and the creation of economic development, healthy living practices, and educational opportunities.
Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming
At Rio Grande Farm Park, we embrace sustainable agriculture and organic farming practices. Our commitment to regenerative agriculture extends beyond the cultivation of organic crops. It is about replenishing the soil, conserving water, and promoting biodiversity.
Through innovative techniques and a deep reverence for the land, we strive to create a harmonious ecosystem where nature thrives, and people thrive alongside it.
Cultural Heritage and Community
Nestled in the heart of San Luis Valley, a Hispanic cultural heritage area, Rio Grande Farm Park aims to honor the rich tapestry of cultural traditions. We celebrate the diversity and heritage that shape our community including Native, Spanish, Mexican, Guatemalan, and Amish cultures.
As a gathering place for people of all backgrounds, we hope to embrace and preserve cultural foodwas, foster connections, and strengthen community bonds.
Collaboration and Impact
Rio Grande Farm Park is a program of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition. Together, we work towards our shared goals of creating an equitable local food system and revitalizing our community.
Through our collaboration with the Coalition, our partners, and our incredible volunteers, we have achieved significant milestones, including the establishment of the Education Center, our adobe wall and horno, a sustainable greenhouse, cold storage, and Mercadillo en el Rio farmers market. These projects serve as catalysts for change, empowering individuals to reconnect with the land and their food.
Are you ready to be a part of our journey?
Join us in cultivating change and building a stronger, more sustainable community.
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Farm Park History
What once was Polston Elementary School is now the Rio Grande Farm Park. When it was a school, the vegetable garden taught students about growing, harvesting, preparing, and eating vegetables. Members of the Guatamalan Mayan community used the land to grow food for their families.
It all started in 2008 when a community group from all walks of life came together with a vision of having a place to gather in a beautiful and healthy setting, preserve alluvial soil, grow food, learn about farming and the environment, and share resources. This group of people came with limited financial resources, and was able to purchase the property with the help of dedicated community members, the Trust for Public Land, and the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition.
The space was initially called the Rio Grande Healthy Living Park. Few communities in our country have such an accessible, rich farm space so close to downtown.
As it is now, you can stroll across the Rio Grande from downtown across a pedestrian bridge, follow trails and view the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains, watch waterfowl, and breathe fresh, clear air.
During the summer you can watch the progress of crops grown by the community using traditional and organic farming techniques, explore the apple orchard, or sit in repose at the meditation pod on the Rio. The property comes to life during the summertime.
Farm Park Business Plan
The Rio Grande Farm Park is an autonomous program of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition (SLVLFC), a private nonprofit organization whose mission is to “foster an equitable local food system that restores the health of the people, community, economy and ecosystem.”
Housed originally as a LiveWell site at a local community health center, SLVLFC became a 501c3 non-profit in 2011. After several years of concerted effort, the Rio Grande Farm Park initiative was formalized under the SLVLFC umbrella. A group of community members make up the RGFP Advisory Committee and staff, overseeing development and programs at the Farm Park.
The vision for this innovative multi-use park is to preserve the SLV’s important agricultural heritage, precious water resources, and open public spaces, while simultaneously creating economic development, healthy living, and educational and recreational opportunities for community members. With the assistance of the Trust for Public Land and tremendous community input, the Master Plan for the Park was completed in 2017, which informs and animates this vision.
Since then, the Farm Park has created protective fencing, an equipment barn, drip irrigation, a greenhouse, and an on-site farmers market to support dozens of producers each year. Farm Park growers have become staples at local farmers’ markets and roadside stands, and some have gone on to start more formal businesses that you can find around town. The Farm Park has also built a nature play area, bathroom, and Education Center to host the myriad of youth and volunteer programs. The Farm Park sustains itself through enterprise projects, federal, state, and local grant funding, foundation giving, and individual contributions. Come learn, play, and grow with us!
