Raíces Sagradas Farm held its grand opening Saturday in Albuquerque’s South Valley, drawing community members to 1925 Citation Street for a four‑hour celebration that highlighted a renewed push for local food production and agricultural education.
According to Hoodline, the event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and featured two newly built greenhouses designed for year‑round growing. LaCoSeChaNM noted the farm is an in‑development organic, regenerative urban demonstration project, while KOB 4 reported the site was once an illegal dump before being transformed into a community farm.
Agri‑Cultura Network President Richard Moore told KRQE the goal is simple: “We are helping to provide a network that is working with the people and providing quality produce for our people in the neighborhoods.” The organization, which describes itself as a collective of 73 small‑scale farmers and ranchers from 14 New Mexico counties, serves 21 schools, nine senior centers, retail businesses and hospitals, according to its website.
Helga Garza, a project organizer cited by KOB 4, said the farm addresses community needs and sustains South Valley’s agricultural knowledge across generations. Local resident JoseLuis Ortiz y Muniz, who has a 10‑year‑old daughter, added that a space like this helps develop the next generation of farmers and teaches families about fresh, healthier eating.
Beyond producing food, the farm will function as a hands‑on workforce training space. KRQE reported that seasoned growers will mentor new farmers, while KOB 4 highlighted the need for more engineers focused on water and hydrology to keep New Mexico’s agriculture viable.
Families can use SNAP benefits to purchase organic produce at the farm, and the Double Up Food Bucks program matches SNAP‑EBT dollars spent on New Mexico‑grown fruits and vegetables. Double Up NM explained that participants receive $2 in matching funds for every $2 of SNAP benefits spent, with eligibility automatic for SNAP recipients.
The opening comes at a critical time for the state’s farming sector. KRQE’s review of the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture showed a 16 % decline in farms since 2017, a loss of about 1.5 million acres, and a drop in farms under 10 acres from 8,554 to 6,934. Average per‑farm income rose to $30,795, but the average farmer age is now nearly 61, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican, with only about 7 % under age 35. The high cost of land—$40,000 to $50,000 per acre—and expensive equipment create steep barriers for new growers.
Raíces Sagradas Farm aims to counter those trends by providing training, affordable access to fresh produce and a model for community‑based climate‑resilient agriculture. Ongoing workshops and educational programs are planned, ensuring the farm remains a hub for South Valley families and aspiring farmers.
What’s next: The farm will continue offering hands‑on training sessions and will host regular community markets where SNAP users can take advantage of Double Up Food Bucks. Residents are encouraged to visit the farm throughout the growing season to support local agriculture and help preserve the region’s farming legacy.
Sources: hoodline.com
