PNM Power Up

TVC has been awarded a PNM Power-Up grant to create the Community Resiliency and Food-security Trail (CRAFT) and parklet along the sidewalks near the Commons and leading to the Power Up Outdoor Classroom on the grounds of the Commons. The trail and parklet will improve street and corridor conditions for homeowners, pedestrians and cyclists by incorporating principles of placemaking to create public space in the neighborhood directly surrounding the Commons. The town property bordering Piños Altos creek and the Commons will be transformed from unused land prone to litter collection and overgrowth of invasive species into a vital public space where community will come together to envision and care for shared space. The outdoor classroom will serve as a site for neighborhood gatherings, food security and food justice related educational workshops, community meetings, afterschool and summer programming, and so much more. We are truly excited about this unique opportunity and grateful for the continued support from PNM.

JPO Garden

Our partnership with the Grant County Juvenile Probation Office is turning out to be a huge success! We now have three full 30'x3' triple dug beds with tomato, pepper, herb, and squash plants growing tall. The youth have also worked on planting seeds in other beds around the property and last weekend, they harvested a huge haul of garlic to be distributed at the food pantry! Thanks so much JPO youth!

Rooted in Community

Speaking of awesome youth...TVC was recently granted $1500 by the Grant County Community Health Council to take five youth to the Rooted in Community Summit in Albuquerque. The summit is a youth-led, for-youth conference designed to bring diverse groups of youth from all over the country together to learn about food justice, fostering healthy communities, food security, gardening, community organizing and environmental justice.

Youth Conservation Corps

Many thanks to The Wellness Coalition's Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) who have been working hard at the Commons this week installing a small, donated greenhouse, leveling ground, removing debris, and planting butterfly bushes along our fence-line. We are so happy to continue in our partnership with this wonderful program.