Your Neighbor In The North Valley

Located in Albuquerque’s North Valley, not far from the Co-op’s Valley Store, Rio Grande Community Farms is helping Albuquerque hold on to some historic pieces of farmland. There are two Open Space properties which Rio Grande Community Farms (RGCF) manages for the city.

The mission statement for RGCF states that the purpose is to use a working organic farm to demonstrate sustainable connections between urban farmland, wildlife and people.

RGCF was formed in 1997 when the citizens of Albuquerque voted to buy the Anderson Field property and place it under the direction of the Open Space Division.

The other site is at Candelaria Farm, a wildlife habitat north of the Rio Grande Nature Center.

RGCF is a not for profit organization and the Board of Directors has been a very important source of inspiration, energy and clarity of thought as RGCF develops.

Jim Malone is the director/farmer for RGCF. Under his direction, the Farms have realized many successes. “The corn, sorghum, sunflowers, barley and alfalfa have been wonderful forage for the sandhill cranes, ducks, geese and other wildlife who come to the farms for food,” says Jim.

Local people estimate that the population of sandhill cranes alone has increased over 50% since this RGCF project started. Middle School Initiative projects have used the farm to learn gardening techniques.

Open Space hosts many school groups throughout the school year. Neighboring Alvarado Elementary School has begun its school garden. Children come to the Farms to learn about soils, crop rotation, wildlife management, and water issues along the Rio Grande.

The Fall Harvest Festival is an event that the Farms cosponsor with La Montanita Co-op. Robyn Seydel commented recently, “The Festival is becoming a major Fall tradition in the North Valley. About 3,000 people attended last year.”

This year, RGCF initiated a water efficiency project beginning with a drip irrigation system on 1-1/2 acres. One objective for the Farms is to become a model for water efficiency farming in the Middle Rio Grande Valley.

A bountiful tomato crop is growing on the drip system and volunteers from the Roadrunner Food Bank (which shares the produce with clients) are helping harvest the crop.

The North Valley Community Garden began this year at Ander-son Field. A number of community centers and local WIC families have been tending the garden under the direction of Kathy Begeal and Mark Rehdere. This participatory garden will be expanded in the years to come.

The biggest fundraiser for RGCF is the annual Maze at Los Poblanos Farm.