PROGRAM ROUNDUP Grow the Growers Update
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n September 3rd & 5th, 2019 HMI led a 14-hour Holistic Cropping Planning workshop for the Albuquerque Grow the Growers participants. Grow the Growers is a comprehensive farm training and business acceleration initiative designed to attract new and emerging farmers into professional food production. It is a collaboration of the Bernalillo County Open Space, New Mexico State University Extension, The Agri-cultura Network, and HMI. During the workshop, instructor Sarah Williford covered the necessary material for participants to begin a successful holistic crop plan. Participants finished with a resource list for soil testing and composting information and the understanding that the next steps to their crop plan would be to consider their financial and business aims and incorporate them into the plan. 100% of participants reported knowledge change and were satisfied with the program. On October 15th and 16th, 2019 Certified Educator Ann Adams facilitated a 14-hour Holistic Marketing and Business Planning course with the farmers at the Grow the Growers Program. This course included the basics of reading and developing financial statements to develop tax and business planning documents. There were eight interactive small group and individual activities throughout the workshop guiding participants through the nine steps to Holistic Financial Planning and the 14 steps of Holistic Marketing and Business Planning. Thanks to the Thornburg Foundation for their support of this programming.
Open Gate Updates Rio Fernando Open Gate
On October 12, 2019 27 people from Albuquerque to Farmington, New Mexico braved the cold to learn about the importance of soil health and holistic goal setting at the Rio Fernando Park Open Gate Field Day in Taos, New Mexico. George Whitten explaining how grazing The Rio Fernando can improve soil health. Park is owned by the Taos Land Trust and they hosted the event. Stephanie von Ancken, HMI’s Program Manager, led the morning introductions and oriented the group for the day. Ben Wright, land manager with the Taos Land Trust, told the story of Rio Fernando Park and gave an overview of what experiments they have tried in restoring and regenerating the property. George Whitten, manager/operator of the San Juan Ranch outside Saguache, CO, co-founder of the Sweet Grass Cooperative, and holistic grazer extraordinaire, introduced the group to the three components
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Land & Livestock
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of holistic goal setting and led the group through a hands-on decision test using the Holistic Decision Testing Matrix and the group discussed the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating livestock into the restoration plan for the Rio Fernando Park property. Shawn Howard presented next about his experience with a regeneration project of 250 acres near Angel Fire, New Mexico. He has been incorporating Holistic Management practices since 2016 when he engaged in a consulting contract with HMI. He says he is constantly amazed at the resiliency and fertility of the land and encourages everyone to focus on the health of the soil first. Don Peters, Executive Director of Not Forgotten Outreach (NFO), presented on their current projects and how they are working to motivate military families to engage in regenerative farming as a means to heal. They are in the beginning stages of La Finca Militar, 28 acres where they will plant year-round gardens for a farm-to-school program. This space will also house the Taos Veterans Farming Project, a veterans’ memorial, affordable military housing, public walking trails, and the training center for the NFO Veterans Corps. After lunch the group headed out to tour the park. George discussed ecosystem processes. Ben led the group to the rye fields, water catchment projects, mulching experiments, areas with plans for a pollinator garden, and the Johnson/Su bioreactors. At the end of the tour the group participated in a biological monitoring exercise led by George. Micah Roseberry also shared her projects with A.I.R.E and their farm-to-school program getting nutrient rich foods into school cafeterias. Thank you to the Taos Land Trust for hosting this event, to the Thornburg Foundation for their funding support.
El Sueno Ranch Open Gate
On October 25th, 25 participants attended HMI’s El Sueno Ranch Open Gate. El Sueno Ranch is a 10,000-acre ranch located north of Clines Corner, New Mexico. It is owned by Albert Lowry and managed El Sueno Ranch owner, Albert Lowry by Chuck Kuchta. HMI discussing how their cattle centers were Certified Educator Kirk developed for ease of management. Gadzia facilitated the day that began with introductions by HMI Executive Director Ann Adams. Kirk had the participants introduce themselves so he could tailor the day to the participants’ needs. Then Albert Lowry and Chuck Kuchta shared the vision for the El Sueno Ranch that Albert purchased in 2014 and Chuck began managing in 2016. Albert and Chuck noted that the land had been used heavily, particularly near the roads and water, and production was lower because the land was still recovering. They have invested extensively in improving the fencing and water. The water development has enabled them to push the water 5–6 miles from the well so they can better utilize the forage across the landscape and provide adequate recovery. After Albert and Chuck shared the story of El Sueno, Kirk presented on the key components of Holistic Grazing Planning and Biological Monitoring so participants had a better idea of how these processes were being used at El Sueno and the challenges that Albert and Chuck have had to face in their implementation. The key focus for El Sueno
