Starting a Community Garden Iin Albuquerque

8/8/2019 Starting a Community Garden Iin Albuquerque

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The following is a basic resource list for gardeners in the Albuquerque area

seeking information about or guidance in starting a community garden.

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority

The ABCWUA offers straightforward online assistance in planning and planting for the low-water and

xeriscaped garden, grey water conservation and additional assistance for area gardens, alongside

resources for wiser watering and compliance with regulations. www.abcwua.org/

Albuquerque Open Space

The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division manages over 29,000 acres of diverse and unique

public lands for the protection of natural and cultural resources, outdoor low-impact recreation, anddefinition of the urban boundary.With over 366 acres of farmland preserves within the Albuquerquearea, the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division is proud to be a part of Albuquerques agricultural

heritage. For more information about our farmlands and other properties, please find informationonline: www.cabq.gov/openspace or call 452-5200.Location: The Open Space Visitor Center, a great place to begin your exploration of our unique lands,

is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Contact: the Open Space Visitor Center at 897-8831 or email openspace@cabq.

Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension Office (BCCES)

http://bernalilloextension.nmsu.edu

1510 Menaul NW Albuquerque, NM 87107

Contact: [email protected] or 505-243-1386

Bernalillo County Open Space

Vision: To become a dynamic network of properties with important natural or cultural resourcesmanaged to benefit people, plants and wildlife by protecting or enhancing view sheds, water resources,

wildlife habitat, cultural/historic sites, and prime agricultural land; and providing resource-based

recreation and environmental education. www.bernco.gov/live/default.aspMission: To preserve and provide natural areas, cultural resources and resource-based recreation forBernalillo County citizens. These lands are acquired and managed to conserve natural and cultural

resources, provide opportunities for education and recreation and to shape the urban environment.

Location: 111 Union Square SE, Suite 200 Albuquerque NM 87102

Contact: Colleen Langan, Open Space Coordinator, at (505) 314-0398 or [email protected]

City of Albuquerque

Excellent online resources are made available at the Citys website: www.cabq.gov

City Forester, City of Albuquerque

A healthy urban forest helps to offset the C02 emission we emit everyday. In 2006, The City passedordinance 6-6-1 creating an Urban Forestry program in charge of all private and public trees within the

city's limits that would work to increase the level of support to other city departments, business, andproperty owners. www.cabq.gov/albuquerquegreen/green-goals/trees/urban-forestry

Contact: Nick Kuhn, City Forester - Parks and Recreation Dept: 505-768-5370 or [email protected]

Master Gardeners, Bernalillo County

BCCES, Extension Horticulture Agent

Contact: [email protected] or call 505-243-1386 /505-292-7144

Location: 1510 Menaul NW Albuquerque, NM 87107


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Master Gardeners, Statewide

Extension Horticulture Specialists

http://aces.nmsu.edu/ces/mastergardeners/

Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas

1036 Miller St. SW Los Lunas NM 87031

Contact: [email protected] or 505-865-7340

Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) Agricultural Collaborative

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is committed to improving the sustainability andprofitability of small and medium-scale agriculture in New Mexicos mid-region. This includes localproduce, meat, dairy, and value-added products. By supporting local foods, we are supporting thefarmers, the land, the sourcing of local products by food service companies, and most important, the

consumption of local foods.

The AgricultureCollaborative, hosted by the MRCOG, is a dynamic group committed to sustainingand promoting local food and agriculture in New Mexico's mid-region. We host free monthlymeetings,

expert speakers, and

special events. www.mrcog-nm.gov/content/view/17/55/Location: 809 Copper Ave., NW Albuquerque NM 87102

(downtown, north of Robinson Park, near the intersection of Central & 8th Street)

MRCOG Resources for Local Growers: www.mrcog-nm.gov/content/view/312/285/

Contact: Ann Simon, [email protected] or (505)247-1750

Rio Grande Botanic Garden

An oasis in the desert: Bordered on the west by the famed Rio Grande and the largest cottonwoodgallery forest in the world, the lush and peaceful Rio Grande Botanic Garden is a facility of the

Albuquerque Biological Park.

The Garden currently encompasses 36 developed acres, including a 10,000 square foot glass

conservatory housing native and exotic plants from desert and Mediterranean climate zones, thewhimsical Children's Fantasy Garden, the award-winning Rio Grande Heritage Farm, the all new

Sasebo Japanese Garden and the seasonal PNM Butterfly Pavilion featuring hundreds of free-flying

North American butterflies and moths.

Location: 2601 Central NW, at the intersection of Central and New York Avenues.Contact information: (505)768-2000 or email [email protected]

Rio Grande Farmers Guild

Learn about their support services for small agricultural projects including mentorship and educationalprograms, as well as critical assistance through a tool co-op and other resources.

Contact: John Shipley at (505) 873-8689 or email [email protected]

Walk Albuquerque

This organization works to create and preserve safe, attractive, and accessible walking areas

throughout Albuquerque. For more activity and project information, visit WalkAlbuquerque.org

The walking guide project was initiated by WALK Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Alliance for

Active Living. Call (505) 344-9742 for more information and find maps to neighborhoods online:www.cabq.gov/albuquerquegreen/news/walking-tours .


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Albuquerque Community Gardens & CSAs:*Community gardens with educational opportunities

ABQ Community Centers with garden projects

The City manages and provides to the citizens of Albuquerque 24 community centers. Each centerprovides an assortment of programs and activities that meet community needs and promote community

involvement in recreation, cultural activities, education, health and family life activities. CommunityCenters offer before and after school programs for school age children (from 6 through 12 years old)

and youth. Programs/hours of operation of each center will vary.

Cesar Chavez Community Center

7505 Kathryn SE (Louisiana & Kathryn ) Albuquerque New Mexico 87108 (505) 256-2680

Contact: Krystle Winklepleck, Recreation Activities Coordinator, [email protected]

Loma Linda Community Center

1700 Yale SE (Yale & Gibson) Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 (505) 764-1525

Contact: Maggie Silva, Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor ([email protected])

Los Duranes Community Center

920 Leopoldo NW (Rio Grande & Rice) Albuquerque New Mexico 87104 (505) 848-1338Contacts: Ray Wright, Community Recreation Center Supervisor ([email protected])

Ricky Sanchez, Community Recreation Activities Coordinator ([email protected])

Find your local community center to inquire about current community gardening projects:www.cabq.gov/communitycenters/ or for a map: www.cabq.gov/communitycenters/centers.html

*Action Buzz Garden

A neighborhood garden supported by the Harwood Art Center for the benefit and education of localresidents, established on private property offered to the group by owner.

Find additional information:

East Central Ministries

This program offers support to the surrounding community, including healthy and job services,

through their community gardening efforts. In 2007 they began a retail greenhouse to help provide jobs

for our neighborhood. Over the years we have grown from one full size greenhouse to three full size

greenhouses and several smaller ones. www.eastcentralministries.orgLocation: 123 Vermont NE Albuquerque NM 87108

Contact: [email protected] or call (505)266-3590

*Erda Gardens

A small, biodynamic and completely local Community Supported Agriculture Project currently

farming several sites in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico. www.erdagardens.org

Mailing address: P.O. Box 8845 Albuquerque, NM 87198-8845Contact: (505) 610-1538, please leave message, or email [email protected]

*Hubbell House

Agricultural education and volunteer opportunities are available at the 100 year-old historic site,offering many ways to participate and contribute your energies. www.hubbellhouse.org/

Location: 6029 Isleta Blvd. Albuquerque, New Mexico 87105

Contact: Jedrek Lamb, [email protected] or 505-244-0507


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Los Poblanos Organics

Los Poblanos Organics is a 16-acre farm located on the historic Los Poblanos Ranch in the beautifulRio Grande River Valley in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. This membership group provides

opportunity for a member to work for half of their membership fees. www.lospoblanosorganics.com

Location: 4803 Rio Grande NW, north of

Mailing address: PO Box 7715 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87194

Contact: (505) 681-4060 or email, [email protected]

*Rio Grande Community FarmsA 50 acre, non-profit urban farm located at the Los Poblanos Fields Open Space in the North Valley ofAlbuquerque, New Mexico. The farm grows organic food for the Albuquerque area, offers community

gardening opportunities, supports local food networks, and actively maintains wildlife habitat through

sustainable conservation and gardening methods. www.riograndefarm.org/

Location: 1701 Montano Road NW Albuquerque, NM 87107Contact: [email protected] or call (505) 345-4580 for information.

*Sanchez Farm and La Placitas

Bernalillo County acquired Sanchez Farm (14 acre tract of land) in 1997 as part of a drainage retentionbasin for storm water run-off from Isleta Blvd, now facilitated by La Placita Gardens. County Parks

and Recreation and community members were interested in developing the site as a wetland habitat,

working agricultural area, and South Valley heritage interpretive center.

La Placita Gardens/Sanchez Farm Contact: Joe Garcia, [email protected] or (505) 823-2870or Colleen Langan, Open Space Coordinator, at (505) 314-0398

Sawmill District Community Garden

Arbolera de Vida Community Garden, sponsored by the Sawmill Community Land Trust

"We're building more than just homes, we're building neighborhoods"Mailing Address: P.O. Box 25181 Albuquerque, NM 87125

Contact:Vicente Quevedo, MCRP, Lead Community Organizer by phone (505)764-0359

*South Valley Academy Charter School & Dragon Farm

A small pesticide-free farm located on the campus of South Valley Academy, established in 2007 and

approximately 2/3 of an acre in size. Students are involved in nearly all farm operations, includingplanting and selling produce at the growers' markets. Additionally, the farm is integrated into the

curriculum of several classes. www.southvalleyacademy.org/SVA_Site/SVA_Dragon_Farm.html

Location: 3426 Blake Road SW Albuquerque NM 87105

Contact: Richard Brandt, 452-3132

Southwest Organizing Project

SWOP's first community garden was created in the South Valley in 2007. Primarily a pilot project,SWOP members grew a wide variety of vegetables while learning about the NM farming. In 2009, weestablished a community garden at the base of Pajarito Mesa. Now, we've acquired the use of vacant

city property in Albuquerque's International District on which we'll establish a year-round community

garden project in 2010. This garden will provide a permanent space in the central city for residents to

learn how to grow their own food as an affordable alternative to the mega corporate food stores. It willalso provide a space for demonstration projects to spur programs that benefit New Mexico

communities statewide, including SWOPs backyard cold-frames project. www.swop.net

Garden Location: in the SE Heights at Ross and Wellesley SE.Office Location: 211 10th Street Southwest 87102. For more information, call (505)247-8832


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*The Source, Wellness Center

A rapidly expanding community garden is facilitated by The Source on Carlisle SE and welcomes

participants from anywhere in the city to be a part of their growing community.

http://thesourceabq.com/wp-content/uploads/Community-Garden-3-22-10_Page_1.jpg

Location: 1111 Carlisle Blvd SE Albuquerque NM 87106

Contact: Chery Klairwator (505) 991-0839 or email [email protected]


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Growers MarketsFor the most up-to-date information on New Mexico markets, http://farmersmarketsnm.org/

Albuquerque Downtown Market

Location: 8th & Central at Robinson ParkSchedule: JUNE TO OCTOBER Saturdays, 7am-11am, SEPT-OCT hours: 8am-12pm

Contact: Carolyn Espe, (505) 243-2230 ext. 127 Accepts EBT, WIC and Senior checks

Albuquerque VA Growers' Market

Location: Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center (just inside the San Mateo/Gibson entrance)

Schedule: JULY-OCTOBER Wednesdays, 10:30 am - 1 pm

Contact: Leslie Shainline, (505) 265-1711, ext. 2393

Corrales Growers' Market (YEAR ROUND)

Location: Recreation Center, 500 Jones Rd. & Corrales Rd., south of the post office

Schedule: MAY-OCTOBER, Sundays, 9am -12pm, Wednesdays 3 pm - 6 pm during peak seasonNOVEMBER-APRIL First Sunday of each month, 10am - 1pm

Contact: Mary Jane Rodriguez, (505) 898-7927 Accepts WIC and Senior checks

Los Ranchos Growers' Market (YEAR ROUND)

Location: City Hall, 6718 Rio Grande Blvd. NW

Schedule: MAY-NOVEMBER, Saturdays, 7 am 11am, SEPT-NOV hours: 8am-12pm

DECEMBER-APRIL 2nd Saturday of each month, 10 am - 12 pm

Contact: Sue Brawley, (505) 890-2799 Accepts WIC and Senior checks

Nob Hill Growers' Market

Location: Morningside Park, Lead & Morningside SE

Schedule: MAY 18-NOVEMBER 4 Thursdays, 3 pm - 6:30 pm

Contact: Georgia Daves, Email Accepts WIC and Senior checks

Rio Rancho Growers' Market

Location: 24th Ave. & 10th StSchedule: JULY-OCTOBER, Fridays, 4pm-7pm

Contact: Charles Shaheed, (505) 891-2230

South Valley Growers' Market

Location: Cristo Del Valle Presbyterian Church, 3907 Isleta Blvd SW

Schedule: JUNE-OCTOBER, Saturdays, 8am-12pm

Contact: Rhonda Reinert, (505) 877-4044 Accepts WIC and Senior check

Uptown Growers Market

Location: At the ABQ Uptown Shopping Center, www.abquptowngrowersmarket.org/

Louisiana NE & Indian School NE, in the NE parking lot behind the Coldwater CreekSchedule: late JUNE-OCTOBER, Saturdays and Tuesdays, 7 am - 12 pm

Contact: Nancy Erickson, (505) 865-3533 Accepts WIC and Senior checks


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OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES

For local, online discussions: www.dukecityfix.com, then search your topic of interest.

For those interesting in keeping chickens in urban Albuquerque: www.urbanchickens.org

For traditional seed varieties, some of which are native to our area: www.nativeseeds.org

For excellent information on community gardens around the US:American Community Gardening Association: www.communitygarden.org/

Seattle P-Patch Program www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/

Sustainable Cities Institute www.sustainablecities.orgCommunity Food Security Coalition www.foodsecurity.org/

Information regarding agriculture and government agencies, for communities:

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/partners/for_communities.htmlCommunities and local governments work with NRCS State Offices and local USDA Service Centers

to help them protect their natural resources. NRCS also provides information on climatology, water

management, watershed planning, and flood control.

Documents

Starting a Community Garden Iin Albuquerque