This dynamic group is made up of citizens, growers, farmers, producers, food processors, food buyers, representatives from government agencies, agricultural organizations, retail operations and manufacturing companies, scientists, professors, community activists, and economic development specialists. The group is committed to improving the sustainability and profitability of local food and agriculture in New Mexico's mid region.   

Agriculture Collaborative meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 9am. Meetings are free and open to anyone.

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Upcoming Meeting Topics: 

February 2012:

Get Caught Up On the Co-op: A Tour of the New Distribution Facility & Info Session: The La Montanita Co-op continues to expand and has recently moved in to a new Cooperative Distribution Center (CDC). Join us for a tour of the new facility with Michelle Franklin, the Co-op Distribution Center Manager. It’s a fun way to get a peek inside how food is moved from places near and far to the shelves of their stores and other local businesses. Whether you’re a grower looking for information about storage opportunities, a value added producer wanting insight about how to get your product on store shelves, or simply a curious consumer, your questions are welcome. Robin Seydel, Membership Coordinator, is also going to talk about the La Montanita Fund, a loan program for local farmers, ranchers and food producers. Co-op members can also invest in the Fund to help strengthen the loan program, and in turn our local economy.

About the Coop: La Montanita Co-op is a community-owned, consumer cooperative with three locations in Albuquerque, one in Santa Fe, and one in Gallup. All stores offer fresh organic produce, bulk foods, local organic beef, lamb and other meats and cheeses, fair trade products and a wide variety of natural and organic groceries, freshly prepared deli foods, natural body care, vitamins and supplements. With over 1100 local products from approximately 400 local producers and 20% of total purchases and sales in local food, the Co-op is a leader in the local foods movement. FREE and open to the public!

***PLEASE NOTE***: This meeting will not be held at the MRCOG Offices. Please see location information below!

DATE/TIME: Wed, February 8th, 9:00am-10:30am.LOCATION: La Montanita Cooperative Distribution Center, 901 Menaul Boulevard NE, 87107. For more information: contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at  asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

March 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 14th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

April 2012:

Alvarado Urban Farm Grows Food and Farmers in the City: A Farm Tour and Info Session on the Veteran Farmer Project: The Alvarado Urban Farm is growing by leaps and bounds and is on its way to producing a mouth-watering bounty in the coming year. The goal of the farm is to become a local food hub where Albuquerque residents and businesses can grow and purchase local food and learn about our local food systems. It also serves as a community space for events, lectures and classes. The new Veteran Farmer Project will be using the Farm in 2012 to hold its series of workshops geared towards local veterans.  Join us for a tour of the farm and an informational session regarding the new Veteran Farmer Project with Chris Goblet (Deputy Director of the Downtown Action Team), Robin Seydel (La Montanita Co-op Membership Coordinator) and Joran Viers (Bernalillo County Extension Service Program Director). FREE and open to the public!

The Alvarado Urban Farm is a project of the Downtown Action Team and the Historic District Improvement Company, and is supported by numerous partners and collaborators which are listed in their Case Statement.

This Veteran Farmer Project is a collaboration between: La Montanita Co-op, NMDA, Bernalillo County Extension Service, MRCOG Agriculture Collaborative, NMSU, Chispas Farms, Los Poblanos Organics, the Master Composter Program, Veterans Administration Hospital, Veteran Integration Center, the What Would You Give Foundation & the La Montanita FUND.

***PLEASE NOTE***: This meeting will not be held at the MRCOG Offices. Please see location information below!

DATE/TIME: Wed, April 11th, 9:00am-10:30am. LOCATION: Alvarado Urban Farm, 101 Silver Ave SW (If inclement weather: Downtown Action Team Offices, 100 Gold Ave SW #204). For more information: contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at  asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

May 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 9th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

June 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 13th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

July 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 11th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

August 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 8th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

September 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 12th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

October 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 10th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

November 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 14th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

December 2012:

Topic TBD - Check back for updates.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 12th, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW. For more information, contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.

Past Meeting Topics:

View the archive

Goals

• Maintain a regional forum for discussing and resolving local food and agricultural issues
• Focus on developing new or more accessible markets for local agricultural products
• Promote and support local growers’ markets
• Promote and support a consistent supply of local agricultural products 
• Preserve and protect agricultural lands in the region
• Seek and obtain funding to achieve the long range goals of the Agriculture Collaborative

 Read more about the Agriculture Collaborative's mission and goals.  

Contact:  Ann Simon (asimon@mrcog-nm.gov)