With Many Hands New Mexico Project (WMHNM Project) Fiscally Sponsored by HagermanForward Inc.
Grants Awarded
The Cultivating Community Urban Farmer Training Program, led by With Many Hands Alamogordo, offers a comprehensive outdoor education experience to high school seniors in Otero County. It provides hands-on agricultural training and introduces participants to sustainable farming practices, environmental stewardship, and local food systems. The program not only equips students with job and life skills but also promotes community food security and fosters future leaders in agriculture and conservation. Furthermore, participants will engage in projects benefiting their community, enhancing their connection to nature and fostering better understanding of sustainable local food production's importance to community health and economy resilience. Most activities will occur at Alamogordo's community gardens and urban farms during the spring, summer, and fall growing seasons.
With Many Hands Alamogordo and the Public Land for Food campaign is a grassroots project dedicated to increasing local food access, cultivating community leadership, and expanding opportunities for sustainable agriculture in Otero County. Through community gardens, educational on farm workshops, and partnerships with local organizations, schools, and farmers, With Many Hands empowers residents to grow food, develop practical skills, and strengthen connections to the land. The work focuses on creating equitable access to healthy food while fostering environmental stewardship and civic engagement in a rural community with limited access to fresh, locally grown produce. Our Cultivating Community Urban Farmer Training Program introduces graduating high school seniors to sustainable agriculture through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences. Participants gain practical skills in soil health, seed starting, irrigation, composting, crop planning, harvesting, and small-scale farm business development while working alongside experienced growers at community gardens and urban farm sites. The program also emphasizes leadership, teamwork, volunteerism, and environmental conservation, helping students understand the role local agriculture plays in building resilient communities. By combining outdoor recreation, environmental education, and workforce development, the program encourages young people to spend meaningful time outdoors while developing confidence, job-ready skills, and a lifelong appreciation for New Mexico’s natural resources. Through experiential learning, participants leave the program better prepared for careers in agriculture, environmental science, landscaping, or community development, while becoming advocates for healthy food systems and sustainable land stewardship in their own communities