Rio Grande Community Farm
Grants Awarded
The Vision Garden Project at Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) is an outdoor education initiative aiming to provide accessibility and nature-connected learning to nearly 500 pre-K through high school students in Albuquerque, particularly targeting disabled youth and those with diverse learning needs. Utilizing resources from the Outdoor Equity Fund, the program will establish an accessible outdoor classroom for hands-on, sensory-rich experiences in gardening and environmental education, along with a smaller workforce development segment for high school interns. The Project will foster an inclusive learning environment that not only enhances students’ gardening skills, environmental knowledge, and confidence in outdoor spaces, but also serves as a model for inclusive outdoor education and promotes long-term community engagement.
The Vision Garden Project at Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) intends to construct an accessible outdoor classroom and garden to facilitate nature-based learning for 500 pre-K through high school students, prioritizing those with disabilities and different learning needs. Using the Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant, RGCF will incorporate inclusive outdoor infrastructure, such as wheelchair-friendly raised beds and sensory-enhancing elements, designed to accommodate various physical, sensory, and cognitive capabilities. Through participation, youth will gain self-assurance and practical environmental skills, while the community benefits from RGCF's continuous youth programs and the garden serving as an example of accessible outdoor design.
Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1997 that regeneratively and organically manages 50 acres of public open space at Los Poblanos Fields Open Space through a lease with the City of Albuquerque. RGCF’s mission is to provide diverse and underserved communities in Albuquerque with equitable access to urban farmland and education in sustainable agriculture, prioritizing food justice, biodiversity, and climate resilience. The farm actualizes this mission by offering land, water, infrastructure, and technical support to beginning farmers, community gardeners, and conservation partners, while also supporting wildlife habitat, hosting community events, and providing educational workshops and tours. In 2025, RGCF operated on a $375,000 annual budget with a balanced revenue strategy: roughly one-third each from donor engagement, social entrepreneurship, and grants/contracts. On 16 acres of dedicated farmland, RGCF supports over 200 row holders across 100 garden rows and 45 microfarmers, providing access to tools, water, and technical assistance. RGCF engages youth through field trips and summer camps, serving 366 children ages 6–17. Public education includes free monthly composting and welding workshops. Conservation efforts include a 12-acre wildlife habitat, a ⅛-acre, 28-year-old pollinator garden, and leaving 25% of production fields as winter forage for migratory birds. The farm hosts three major annual events—Spring Festival & Plant Sale, Lavender Festival, and Maize Maze Festival—which welcomed approximately 11,000 attendees in 2024. RGCF’s work is supported by 127 volunteers who contribute nearly 10,000 hours annually, helping maintain farm operations, educational programs, and community engagement.