Healthy Archuleta has a Growers|Producers Group that meets regularly to discuss and plan efforts in advancing local food production. The Growers|Producers Group continues to increase the production of food grown in Archuleta county through a variety of means. The group assisted with collecting information about who is growing in the county through a survey, which focuses on engaging growers and producers to learn about their products and encourage an increase in production for either sale or donation. The group has created space for backyard growers to come together to share knowledge and ask questions about gardening in this region. Additionally, following the Regional Food Summit, Healthy Archuleta recognized the need for a regular gathering of local growers and producers to learn about each other's work and to increase access and demand for local foods in Archuleta County. As a result a Growers|Producers Forum has been established to meet every other month to build connections and relationships among local growers and producers. If you are interested in participating in any one of these, please send us an email at [email protected].
Backyard Growers
Healthy Archuleta works alongside community backyard growers to encourage and support them in learning to grow for themselves and their communities. Using the victory garden as a concept to engage local backyard growers, the Growers|Producers of Healthy Archuleta has worked to increase the availability of fresh produce at our food pantries by encouraging and supporting backyard growers to grow and share their produce. For more information on donating the produce that you grow to the local food pantries, please click HERE. For more information and resources on growing and producing food, please click HERE.
Vista Lake Community Garden
Healthy Archuleta in partnership with community members and PLPOA and with funding support from the Colorado Health Foundation helped develop the Vista Lake Community Garden. Today this garden is an environment where community comes together to grow food and to advance connections and relationships. The efforts of this garden was initially led by the Vista Lake Community Garden Learning and Leadership (CLLC) with continued support from Healthy Archuleta and the PLPOA. For more information on the development of the garden, please click HERE. If you are interested in learning and getting involved in the Vista Lake Garden, please contact the PLPOA at 970-731-5635.
Garden Education & Cottage Food Training
Healthy Archuleta partners with different organizations to offer garden education programs. Click HERE to see current and past classes and workshops. Cottage Food Training is available through CSU Extension. For more information about upcoming training sessions please check out the CSU Facebook page.