Growing Food and Community Together

Cultivando La Comida y La Comunidad Juntos

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Overview of Our Program

The East Valencia Urban Gardens Program (EVUGP) aims to increase access to locally grown and healthy food, conserve water and soil resources, increase economic opportunities and reach youth through farming and gardening of fruits and vegetables. EVUGP started because of concerns expressed for improving the District's local food economy during a  series of community consensus meetings on building a more resilient community to climate change. We teach community members how to grow food, lead two youth gardening programs, connect farmers to resources and are working to start the first farmer's market on the East Mesa. EVUGP is specifically concerned with working on projects on the East Mesa, an underserved area that has minimal access to healthy foods and a higher poverty rate.

We are:

• Community members;
• TWO community gardens, in El Cerro Mission and Meadow Lake;
• A growing youth internship program learning everything from planting seeds, to harvesting and selling produce;
• Kids programs to learn about food and farming and to begin gardening;
• Free workshops for the community;
• Financial Assistance programs to start backyard gardens and conserve water and soil resources (water harvesting, native plants, hoop houses, and more)  

Join the community gardens!

We have regularly scheduled work days at the community gardens and you can join anytime! Regular volunteers in a community garden may harvest some of the produce.

Meadow Lake: Tuesday and Thursdays 8-10 am

100 Cuerro Ln, Meadow Lake, NM (behind the Meadow Lake Community Center)

El Cerro: Wednesday and Friday 8-10 am

309 El Cerro Mission Rd, El Cerro Mission, NM (behind the El Cerro Mission Community Center)

UPCOMING EVENTS!

August 24, 2019 - FOOD FIESTA! FREE!

Taste testing numerous garden fresh recipes, music, games, garden harvesting and tour! Further details to be announced!

Hoop House Raising! (Date to be decided, check back soon)

Help 'Raise the Roof' of our first hoop house at the Meadow Lake Garden! Learn how to build a hoop house and about the District's Financial Assistance program that can reimburse 75% of costs towards your own hoop house. Hoop houses to grow fresh veggies all year round!

Fruit Tree Hands-On Workshop (Date to be decided, check back soon)

Learn from expert Newt McCarty, NMSU Extension Agent, on how to grow fruit trees in a hot, arid high desert climate. Learn what varieties grow best, how to fertilize, prune and avoid diseases and insects. Part of the workshop will be hands-on and this is great for the whole family.

Community Gardens Wish List

The East Valencia Community Garden relies on donations from the community to support the start of the community gardens so that the opportunity remains free for participants. If you have items to donate to the garden please contact Lindsey at EVUrbanGardens@gmail.com. Thank you!!

Fruit trees and shrubs (1st priority)

Straw bails (old or new)

Shovels

Hoes

Picnic Tables (or chairs/tables)

6 mm greenhouse plastic

4x4 and 2x4 wood (old or new)

shade netting

EVUGP was featured in the Valencia County News Bulletin! Read the article here:

http://www.news-bulletin.com/news/features/gardens-friendships-are-growing-in-meadow-lake-and-el-cerro/article_ecbc9ac0-1a20-11e7-b218-47053496302d.html

Contact for more information, question or feedback:

Lindsey Díaz , EVUG Program Coordinator

EVUrbanGardens@gmail.com