The USDA Community Food Project Conference was hosted in Albuquerque this year.  It was exciting to see all of the innovative projects that are happening across the country.   One organization was based in Hawaii, and another in Alaska. It was a pleasure to finally meet Katina Hanks and Liz Tuckermanty from the USDA.   The conference proved to be a successful networking opportunity.  I had the pleasure of taking a group of people to sample some authentic New Mexican cuisine at the Ben Michael Restaurant located across the street from the hotel hosting the conference.  Our party had an excellent time and was truly entertained by owner and chef Ben Michael.  Ben was able to talk about the city each individual was from, he served a delicious lunch, and played the piano and sang a song to the ladies sitting at the table.  The entire group raved about the food, service, and entertainment.

Thank you Ben Michael!

Richard Brandt

YFAP Director

UNM Collaboration w/ American Studies 309

Students in Andrew Marcum’s Lobo Gardens class at the University of New Mexico continued their collaboration with the Youth Food Action Project in the fall of 2011 by helping YFAP and the UNM Food Corps establish a new garden while expanding an existing garden at Kirtland Elementary School.

Students participated in soil sampling, roto tilling, and mulching. They also planted garlic and lettuce at the newly expanded garden and helped to fence in and establish drip lines at this garden while planting vetch to build soil health at the brand new Kirtland garden.

Students Matt Troche and Jon Ethridge were especially engaged and took the techniques they learned from YFAP Director Richard Brandt and urban farmer Morgan Attema of East Central Ministries to their own backyards!

Market Wrap Up

We have made it to the end of another successful market season.  Our super summer crew did an amazing job at keeping the weeds under control and the food growing.  We did see some real big changes at the market. Sales suffered a bit at the beginning of the season due to the new layout of the market, sales picked up towards the end of the season. Our entire summer Crew got a chance to check out the scene at least once. I must say, I am proud of you all!!

Miguel Martinez
Dragon Farm
Assistant Farm Manager

Alex Font 10th Grade, South Valley Academy

My experience at the APS School Board meeting was cool. I learned about other organizations and I thought it was neat to hear about the other projects kids are involved with.

Victor 9th Grade SVA Servcie learning

We were at Kirtland Elementary today helping to expand the garden.  We measured the perimeter of the fence to see how much chicken wire we needed to enclose it.  We also planted garlic.  I didn’t know garlic grew during the winter.

APS School Board Meeting / YFAP Presentation

The Youth Food Action project gave a presentation last night to the Albuquerque School Board.  Presenters included Nissa Patterson from Growing Gardens Team, May Erwin (science department from Wilson Middle School, two students from South Valley Academy Service Learning Program, Andrew Marcum (UNM Research Service Learning), and Richard Brandt (Youth Food Action Project director).  The presentation stressed the importance and benefits of using school gardens as educational tools in the classroom.  The presentation went well and seemed to spark some interest from school board members.

Richard Brandt

Youth Food Action Project Director

Dragon Farm Director

Anonymous SVA student, Ms. Gable’s Science Class

Today in class we took soil samples from different plots at the farm.  We need to test nitrogen levels.  It was fun to get out of class and work outside.

Anonymous SVA student, Ms. Gable’s Science Class