In 2015, we created intentional partnerships with community, non-profit entities, Tribal Administration and Leadership, Community Schools, Student bodies and Health Department officials to better equip our minds of the challenges to feed our children the best and healthiest foods.  From budgetary constraints to State laws that prevented local farmer sales, we broke apart the direct food systems that regulated our local school bodies and began a one-year assessment of all the key stakeholders.

The following year, we returned with four farmers over 7 acres of farmland, one broker, a partnering school and Tribal Nutritionist, a supportive State Law and a growing list of community partners. A MOU was established with the San Diego Riverside Charter School and in 2016 we erected the first 30’x100’ cold frame in the Pueblo of Jemez. As a collective, school sales were processed and State dollars awarded to the school, to support its purchasing of local foods from New Mexico farmers.

Since then, we have donated nearly 2,500 lbs of fresh produce to the Pueblo of Jemez Charter Schools (k-12) and Senior Citizen Food Program. The sales and direct access to quality, fresh produce was established and continues to build local economics for our farmers. Our efforts, allowed us to join a larger network of farmers from throughout New Mexico, gain recognition from State officials who supported a $30,000 budget increase in 2019-2020 FY, providing our local school district, Jemez Valley Public Schools greater access to improve food quality for all children.