The South Valley near Albuquerque has a long history of agricultural practice. Friday, October 4, marked the grand opening of a state-of-the-art greenhouse that will help local farmers and serve as a site where young people can learn the tradition. The shared greenhouse is the first of its kind, and it sits on land that was once an illegal dumpsite.
Helga Garza is the executive director of Agri-Cultura, a cooperative network of nine family-owned small farms in the South Valley, plus dozens of other allied farms around the state. Buying starter plants is a big investment for a small farm, Garza said, and this greenhouse that folks can access for free really changes things. "It will keep us growing collectively," she said. "We all have to work together in order to make sure that we have enough food grown for the various local markets."
The greenhouse lies across from Ernie Pyle Middle School. The students will attend gardening class at the greenhouse to grow vegetables and herbs. Ernie Pyle Principal Stacia Duarte said she is excited for her students to learn at the farm.
“We want our students to know this is for them so that they want to bring their families here,” Duarte said. “This is about building connections to the past and our history of agriculture in the South Valley. It’s also about the future – ensuring these students are knowledgeable, aware and involved in their communities.”
Sources: KUNM (Marisa Demarco) and Albuquerque Journal (Theresa Davis)
