Programs & Events

Welcome to your Community Farm! We are here due to the support of the City of Albuquerque and citizens like you! We provide several programs on the 50 acres we manage on behalf of the Open Space Division:

Share the Harvest

Through this program, you will directly support the delivery of fresh, certified organic vegetables to local non-profit organizations that serve meals to low-income families and vulnerable individuals in the community. All vegetables are grown at the Rio Grande Community Farm and delivered within 24 hours of harvest. The receiving non-profit could be a residential home for abused children, a program serving meals to the homeless, or a senior center.

Community Garden

Located on the NW corner of the property,  this 2 acre parcel is a hubbub of activity with over 100 individuals, schools, groups and organizations tending their garden rows.  RGCF provides seeds, water, tools and expertise for free. Membership in RGCF includes a free row. Gardeners grow their own food and enjoy the company of their fellow gardeners. The Albuquerque Master Gardeners maintain Demonstration Plots at the community garden and are available for advice.

The Annual Maize Maze

Our Maze has become a tradition for Albuquerquens. Running from September to October, the maze attracts thousands of people who want to experience first hand our agricultural heritage. Each year we adopt a theme that educates and demonstrates some aspect of our natural surroundings. The theme for 2010 is: “Coyote Magic – Discover the Wonders of High Desert Wildlife” and will educate the public about the critical role of butterflies and other pollinators in our food chain.

Wildlife Habitat Preservation

Pheasants, roadrunners, migrating Sandhill cranes, Canadian Geese, songbirds galore and even coyotes- all share this wonderful Open Space area with us. We actively preserve this land for our animal friends through:
- growing grains that serve as a food source
- growing sunflowers for a variety of birds
- maintaining hedgerows and borders to provide protection
- planting cover crops to provide habitat

Drip Irrigation Demonstration Project

RGCF maintains 16 acres in subsurface drip used to grow high value food crops for our community. Certified organic, we are developing organic methods that are applicable to all farmers using subsurface drip technology.

Flood Irrigation Production Fields

RGCF grows a variety of crops including grains, cover crops, chile and other vegetables, using traditional row flood irrigation methods.  All fields are certified organic. Come check out our “strip tillage” demonstration plot or Farmer Dan’s “Flower inter-cropping” methods.

Production Greenhouse

RGCF maintains a state-of-the-art all season greenhouse that is used to start crops  for spring planting as well as plants for sale to local farmers markets.

Sunflower Program

If you are driving West on Montano Road you might very well see fields of gorgeous yellow, green and red flowers. Growing several varieties of feed and floral sunflowers, RGCF is an expert in cultivating these natural beauties. Every year we grow a few acres of “Black Oil” sunflowers that provide food for our animal neighbors.

Seed Saving

RGCF participates in saving seed and evaluating seed grow outs. We have participated with Cornell University, Harris Seed and the Quatro Puertas Foundation in trialing, saving and evaluating seed stock

School Education Program

One of our most popular programs is our Educational Outreach program. Local school groups from pre-K to college level come to the farm to learn about urban farming, wildlife preservation and conservation techniques.