San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition January 2026 E-Newsletter
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In this issue:
LFC | La Puente | Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
Rio Grande Farm Park | Updates
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En esta edición:
LFC | La Puente | Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
Rio Grande Farm Park | Actualizaciones
Burbujas, Guardianes, Acceso a la Tierra, y Compost,
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La Puente and Local Foods
As part of our ongoing efforts to give back to the community, staff from the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition spent an afternoon volunteering at La Puente ahead of Thanksgiving. Staff helped set up tables, decorate the dining hall with festive colors, wash dishes, and lend a hand wherever needed. We are grateful to La Puente for such a meaningful experience, and we were happy to bring along pies to share.
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Esfuerzos de voluntariado de la San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition
Como parte de nuestros esfuerzos continuos por retribuir a la comunidad, el personal de la San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition pasó una tarde como voluntario en La Puente antes del Día de Acción de Gracias. El personal ayudó a montar mesas, decorar el comedor con colores festivos, lavar platos y apoyar en todo lo que fue necesario. Agradecemos profundamente a La Puente por esta experiencia tan significativa, y nos alegró poder llevar pasteles para compartir.
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LFC Attends Rocky Mountain Farmers' Union Conference
At the end of November, multiple staff and volunteers involved across the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition attended the annual Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union Conference in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Participants engaged in learning opportunities and exchanged ideas related to regenerative agriculture across New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. Three of our cohort were highlighted as 2025 Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Fellows: Jesús Flores - Rio Grande Farm Park Farm Manager, Al Stone - Valley Roots Food Hub Markets Manager, and Patrick O’Neill - Valley Roots Food Hub Advisory Committee Member."
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LFC asiste a la conferencia de la Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union
A finales de noviembre, varios miembros del personal de la San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition y del Rio Grande Farm Park asistieron a la Conferencia Anual de la Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union en Cheyenne, Wyoming. El personal participó en espacios de aprendizaje e intercambio de ideas relacionadas con la agricultura regenerativa en Nuevo México, Colorado y Wyoming. El gerente agrícola del Farm Park, Jesús Flores, fue nombrado Becario de la Rocky Mountain Farmers’ Union 2025.
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Bird Treatment on Education Center Building
At the beginning of December, a Northern Flicker began pecking into the siding of the Education Center building. Farm Park staff filled the hole with spray foam and installed preventative netting over the area to deter birds from making any future unauthorized modifications to the Education Center.
We are excited to bring Fifth Day back to the Farm Park for the final weeks of the school year! This past Friday we welcomed a group of ten curious and creative K-2 students from the Boys and Girls Club to float into the science of bubbles.
We read parts of the book "Bubble Homes and Fish Farts" from the Alamosa Public Library to discover the many ways animals use bubbles in nature. We learned that sea otters trap bubbles in their fur to stay warm, star-nosed moles use bubbles to sniff underwater, herring communicate with bubble bursts, and African gray treefrogs make bubbly nests for their eggs!
After our bubble deep dive, the real fun began. Students tested out some store-brought bubble wands before engineering their own with popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, paper towel tubes, and lots of imagination. Check out the photos for a peek into our bubbly Friday adventure.
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Tratamiento contra aves en el edificio del Centro Educativo
A principios de diciembre, un carpintero norteño comenzó a picotear el revestimiento del edificio del Centro Educativo. El personal del Farm Park rellenó el agujero con espuma en aerosol e instaló una red preventiva sobre el área para evitar que las aves realicen futuras modificaciones no autorizadas al Centro Educativo.
We are excited to bring Fifth Day back to the Farm Park for the final weeks of the school year! This past Friday we welcomed a group of ten curious and creative K-2 students from the Boys and Girls Club to float into the science of bubbles.
We read parts of the book "Bubble Homes and Fish Farts" from the Alamosa Public Library to discover the many ways animals use bubbles in nature. We learned that sea otters trap bubbles in their fur to stay warm, star-nosed moles use bubbles to sniff underwater, herring communicate with bubble bursts, and African gray treefrogs make bubbly nests for their eggs!
After our bubble deep dive, the real fun began. Students tested out some store-brought bubble wands before engineering their own with popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, paper towel tubes, and lots of imagination. Check out the photos for a peek into our bubbly Friday adventure.
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Children’s Garden Grant Update
Plans for building a learning garden and outdoor classroom at the Farm Park are well underway. At the end of November, we were notified by the Colorado Garden Foundation that we have been awarded $10,000 to continue this project in 2026. The Colorado Garden Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the horticultural industry in Colorado.
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Actualización de la subvención para el Jardín Infantil
Los planes para construir un jardín educativo y un aula al aire libre en el Farm Park avanzan a buen ritmo. A finales de noviembre, la Colorado Garden Foundation nos notificó que hemos recibido una subvención de $10,000 para continuar este proyecto en 2026. La Colorado Garden Foundation es una organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a fortalecer la industria hortícola en Colorado.
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Fishing Is Fun Grant Update
Stay tuned for updates in the new year regarding a Colorado Parks and Wildlife grant that the Rio Grande Farm Park is currently applying for to improve the laguna area along the Rio Grande River. The grant application includes requests for a kayak, SUP, and canoe put-in; bank stabilization; fishing access at two locations; a fishing pier; and trail improvements from the cooler to the back gate.
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Actualización de la subvención “Fishing Is Fun”
Manténganse atentos a nuevas actualizaciones en el año nuevo sobre una subvención de Colorado Parks and Wildlife que el Rio Grande Farm Park está solicitando actualmente para mejorar el área de la laguna a lo largo del Río Grande. La solicitud incluye la creación de un acceso para kayak, SUP y canoas, estabilización de la ribera, acceso para pesca en dos ubicaciones, un muelle de pesca y mejoras al sendero desde el enfriador hasta la puerta trasera.
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Greenhouse Update
Winter greenhouse production was in full swing throughout December at the Rio Grande Farm Park. Additional varieties of greens, including Chinese cabbages and lettuces, are now reaching harvest size and becoming available for purchase. Other winter greenhouse crops include kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, herbs (fresh and dried), arugula, spinach, and cauliflower.
The greenhouse is open to the public for small, individual purchases on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. Stop by to purchase local produce and kick off 2026 with fresh, locally grown veggies
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Actualización del invernadero
La producción de invierno en el invernadero estuvo en pleno crecimiento durante el mes de diciembre en el Rio Grande Farm Park. Más variedades de hojas verdes, como coles chinas y lechugas, ya están alcanzando tamaño de cosecha y disponibles para su compra. Otros cultivos de invierno incluyen kale, acelga, brócoli, hierbas (frescas y secas), arúgula, espinaca y coliflor.
El invernadero está abierto al público para compras pequeñas e individuales los martes y viernes de 8:00 a 10:00 a.m. ¡Visítenos para comprar productos locales y comenzar el 2026 con verduras frescas y cultivadas localmente!
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Bald Eagle Sighted
The Farm Park had a special visitor stop by our laguna on December 11.
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Aguila Calva
El Farm Park recibió una visita especial en nuestra laguna el 11 de diciembre.
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Nature Trail Signage and Kiosk Update
On December 19, the City of Alamosa joined forces with fifth-day students at the Farm Park to install kiosk signage for the developing nature trail. Stop by the Farm Park to see their hard work in action.
Pictured are fifth-day students and staff working on kiosks at the Farm Park.
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Actualización de la señalización y quioscos del sendero natural
El 19 de diciembre, la Ciudad de Alamosa se unió a estudiantes del programa de quinto día en el Farm Park para instalar señalización en los quioscos del sendero natural en desarrollo. Visite el Farm Park para ver su trabajo en persona.
En la imagen aparecen estudiantes del programa de quinto día y personal trabajando en los quioscos del Farm Park.
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The Farm Park’s Education Center continues to serve as a community event space for meetings and celebrations for San Luis Valley residents throughout the winter. If you are interested in renting the Education Center for an upcoming event, please visit our website and complete the interest form.
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El Centro Educativo del Farm Park continúa sirviendo como un espacio comunitario para reuniones y celebraciones de los residentes del Valle de San Luis durante el invierno. Si le interesa rentar el Centro Educativo para un evento próximo, visite nuestro sitio web y complete el formulario de interés.
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Community Bulletin Board/Tablón Comunitario
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Tumbleweed Presents "50 Years of Tumbleweed" Reunion concert at Society Hall!
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