Farming Programs
Farming Programs at the Park
The Rio Grande Farm Park hosts farmers each year in two areas: a commercial area and a community area. These farmers grow thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables each year for local markets. They serve also provide a nutritious, local source of produce for the SLV Food Bank Network, Boys and Girls Club, Promotores del Valle, and the SLV Immigrant Resource Center. If you’ve ever shopped at a farmers’ market in the San Luis Valley, you’ve likely supported farmers at the Rio Grande Farm Park. Farmers share a common philosophy around regenerative agriculture and organic practices. This means growing without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. It means growing a diverse range of crops. It also means caring for the soil through cover cropping, crop rotation, and working toward other principles considerate of life in the soil and along the Rio Grande corridor.
Market Farmers/Farmers’ Coop
Anyone who is interested in selling their produce via farmers’ markets, restaurants or grocers, the Valley Roots Food Hub, or other marketplaces should apply for a Commercial Plot. All commercial farmers are required to join the Rio Grande Farm Park Farmers Cooperative, and will go through an interview with the group before an application is approved. This program is intended to support beginning and disadvantaged farmers. Plot sizes are 1/8 acre to one full acre, depending on farming experience.
People interested should stop by the Farm Park to talk to Jesus Flores or email the Farm Park director at meg.slvlocalfoods@gmail.com.
Family Plots/Community Gardens
Anyone interested in growing food for themselves or their immediate community should join the “family plots,” a community garden focused on food security. This is not your typical community garden. Plots range in size from 200 linear feet to 1600 linear feet. This program has deep roots with specific groups, so space is limited.
If you are interested, stop by the Farm Park to talk to Jesus Flores or email the Farm Park director at meg.slvlocalfoods@gmail.com.
