This article was originally featured on Duke City Fix. 

As the weather warms, we start itchin' to get outside and spend time on big green farms.  So we gathered up our farmy friends and headed over to ARCA Organics and Heidi's Raspberry Farm in Corrales.

Post rain, the smell in the air was earthy and lovely.  Big cottonwoods dripped and birds chattered. 

ARCA works with individuals with disabilities, and ARCA Organics farm helps provide a bit of funding for the organization.  Running a successful farming operation is a huge accomplishment in the eyes of "a bunch of social workers."  "Our first business plan was on a napkin," said director Jim Douglas, "and now look how far we've come."

Now, ARCA supplies wheatgrass for numerous stores in Albuquerque, including La Montanita Co-op, Whole Foods and several Keva Juicelocations. "We've been told  our wheatgrass is extra sweet," said production manager and sales representative Tim Neugebauer.

Our group toured both inside and outside the greenhouses to see how ARCA Organics has gone beyond wheatgrass to experiment with more traditional field crops. Expanding their horticultural experience, this season, the workers are increasing market possibilities by growing tomatoes, peppers, garlic, blackberries, and raspberries, in a space that was once an unused gravel lot.   Nearby, abundant apple trees overflow with young fruit.

ARCA Organics sells at grower's markets, and produce can also be purchased on site. ARCA Organics also seems like a great place to volunteer.  For more information, contact Jim Douglas (jdouglas@acr-a.org) or 505-898-5518.

Next stop was Heidi's Raspberry Farm. The 10-acre farm was alive with beneficial insects and birds. The neat rows of raspberry canes appeared vibrant green against the stormy sky. A resident flock of wild turkeys free-ranging the farm on pest patrol spoke to the holistic organic farm practices used at Heidi's.  

Doug Findley, raspberry farmer extraordinaire and brother of Heidi, shared some of his trade secrets such as his "insurance policy" which consists of 10,000 pounds of frozen berries kept on hand at all times. Doug grows four different varieties of raspberries for their varying characteristics; however, the Heritage variety, he says, is his most successful.  

From infrastructure needs to sourcing local ingredients, Doug reminded us of the great local resources and shared cooperation that food producers have access to locally. Heidi produces her jams at the South Valley Economic Development Center commercial kitchen. The red chile used in Heidi's Red Chile Raspberry jam is sourced from local Socorro farmer Albert Bustamante. La Montanita Co-op provides frozen storage at their distribution center, sells the bulk organic sugar needed to make the jam, and then distributes Heidi's Jam to various locations. In all, Heidi's Raspberry Jam is another great example of an agricultural product grown out of our local food-shed.

The public can visit Heidi's Raspberry Farm during U-pick season which starts the end of August.  In summary, it was a great field trip for the Agriculture Collaborative. With good meeting turnout and positive responses, it is clear that folks like to get out and experience farms. We plan to host more trips like this in the future.

Does this excursion sound fun to you?  The Agriculture Collaborative meets monthly with free workshops and information for local farmers, gardeners, and local food fans.