La Semilla Food Center

WITH SUPPORT FROM THE BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS PROGRAM (BFRDP), LA SEMILLA PROPOSES TO ENHANCE THE SUCCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY OF BEGINNING FARMERS IN THE COLONIA AREAS OF THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT ECOREGION BY PROVIDING THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, TOOLS, AND NETWORK NEEDED TO MAKE INFORMED AGROECOLOGICAL DECISIONS. WE WILL PROVIDE 1) PRACTICAL EDUCATION, 2) IMMERSIVE TRAINING, 3) CONTACT WITH AN ESTABLISHED NETWORK, AND 4) ACCESS TO AN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE MARKET TO SELL THEIR PRODUCE. THESE EFFORTS ARE SET TO MEET OBJECTIVES 2.1 AND 2.2 OF THE FY2018-2022 USDA STRATEGIC PLAN:OBJECTIVE 2.1: PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE FINANCIAL SAFETY NET FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO SUSTAIN ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND SUPPORT RURAL JOBS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.OBJECTIVE 2.2: INCREASE AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT ECONOMIC GROWTH BY CREATING NEW MARKETS AND SUPPORTING A COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM.IN 2011, LA SEMILLA RECEIVED A 12-ACRE DONATION OF FARMLAND TO DEVELOP LA SEMILLA COMMUNITY FARM, AN EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATION FARM GUIDED BY AGROECOLOGY AND ORGANIC PRINCIPLES WHERE MANY ACTIVITIES OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL TAKE PLACE. THROUGH THIS PROJECT, LA SEMILLA'S LONG-TERM GOAL IS TO REMOVE INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMIC OBSTACLES FOR SOCIALLY-DISADVANTAGED AND COLONIA FARMERS OF THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT ECOREGION AND TO PROVIDE THEM WITH EVERY OPPORTUNITY THEY DESERVE TO PROSPER AND THRIVE.

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LA SEMILLA FOOD CENTER WILL ADVANCE A REGIONAL PRACTICE OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE SOLUTIONS WHILE REMOVING INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMIC OBSTACLES FOR SOCIALLY-DISADVANTAGED AND COLONIA FARMERS OF THE CHIHUAHUAN DESERT ECOREGION AND PROVIDING THEM WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO PROSPER. ANCHORED BY LA SEMILLA COMMUNITY FARM AND BUILDING ON A GROWING NETWORK OF SMALL FARMERS THROUGH EDUCATION, MENTORING, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE REGIONALLY DISTRIBUTED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND A COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE THAT WILL IMPACT BEGINNING FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN CATEGORY 5. LOCAL FARMERS FACE MULTIPLE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING AN AGING WORKFORCE, INCREASING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT, AND ECONOMIC BARRIERS. CONTENDING WITH THESE CHALLENGES, LA SEMILLA, IN COLLABORATION WITH A DIVERSE AGROECOLOGICAL NETWORK OF SMALL-SCALE FARMERS, WILL: (1) EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN A BURGEONING NETWORK OF AGROECOLOGICAL BEGINNING FARMERS VIA A DISTRIBUTED MULTI-TIER FARMER-TO-FARMER TRAINING MODEL ROOTED IN DESERT-ADAPTED AND CLIMATE SMART FARMING AND PRODUCTION METHODS, TARGETED FOR VARYING AUDIENCES; (2) BOOST THE PARTICIPATION, SUPPORT, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF A NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS WITHIN A REGIONAL FOOD SYSTEM BY OFFERING MENTORSHIP AND PAID APPRENTICESHIPS AT SMALL-SCALE FARMS; AND (3) INCREASE PRODUCTION-BASED TECHNICAL SUPPORT AT REGIONAL BEGINNING FARMER SITES BY PROVIDING MOBILE EQUIPMENT SHARES, CONSULTATIONS, AND OTHER RELEVANT RESOURCES TO LESSEN BURDENS ASSOCIATED WITH PRODUCTION, MATERIALS, AND PERSONNEL COSTS. THESE EFFORTS WILL MEET STRATEGIC GOALS 1 AND 2 OF THE FY 2022-2026 USDA STRATEGIC PLAN AND ADDRESS OBJECTIVES 1.1, 1.2, AND 2.2. THE PROJECT ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING BFRDP PRIORITIES: BASIC CROP FARMING PRACTICES; MENTORING, APPRENTICESHIPS, AND INTERNSHIPS; AND CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURE SOLUTIONS.

HARVESTING THE POTENTIAL OF LOCAL FOOD B

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LA SEMILLA FOOD CENTER IS A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION (CBO) AND FOOD HUB THAT SERVES THE NEEDS OF NON-TRADITIONAL, NICHE, AND HARD-TO-REACH GROWER AUDIENCES AS DEFINED BY THE USDA. THROUGH THIS PROJECT, LA SEMILLA FOOD CENTER WILL MEANINGFULLY PARTNER WITH LIKEMINDED CBOS TO IMPLEMENT A COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROJECT THAT ADVANCES BOTH THE PRIORITIES OF THE FOOD SAFETY OUTREACH PROGRAM (FSOP) AND THE MISSIONS OF THE PROJECT PARTNERS WHO SHARE COMMON FOOD SAFETY CONCERNS, REPRESENT A DIVERSE ARRAY OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, CBOS, FOOD HUBS, AND FARM COOPERATIVES, ARE INTERWOVEN WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCAL COMMUNITIES, AND WHOSE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PROJECT WILL COLLECTIVELY INCREASE FOOD SAFETY OUTREACH TO SOCIALLY-DISADVANTAGED FARMERS.

STRENGTHENING THE VALUE CHAIN IN THE PASO DEL NORTE FOODSHED

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LA SEMILLA FOOD CENTER SEEKS TO EXPAND AND ENHANCE A PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION (PPR) PROJECT SERVINGTHE PASO DEL NORTE BORDERLAND REGION OF DOÑA ANA COUNTY, NM, AND EL PASO COUNTY, TX. OURCOMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM WILL LEAD A COORDINATED EFFORT TO DISTRIBUTE ANNUALLY $85,000+ INPRODUCE PRESCRIPTIONS TO 135 HOUSEHOLDS THROUGH THREE PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS TWO COUNTIES. LEVERAGINGLOCAL FOOD SYSTEM ASSETS, INCLUDING LA SEMILLA'S INTEGRATED PROGRAMMING, OUR PROPOSAL OFFERS ELIGIBLECOMMUNITY MEMBERS FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCE VIA FARM FRESH RX BOXES AT ACCESSIBLE LOCATIONS ANDEXPANSION OF MUCH NEEDED CULTURALLY-ROOTED PROGRAMMING THAT REAFFIRMS INHERENTLY HEALTHY FOODTRADITIONS, INCLUDING PRODUCTION AND PREPARATION OF THAT FOOD. PROJECT EXPANSION INCLUDES MAINTAININGTWO FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER PARTNERSHIPS WHILE ESTABLISHING A NEW HEALTHCARE PARTNER AND ANEW PATIENT POPULATION: PEDIATRIC DIABETES PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. ENHANCEMENTS INCLUDE INCREASEDNUTRITION INCENTIVES, CLIMATE ADAPTATIONS, AND PROGRAMMATIC FEATURES INCREASING PARTICIPANT ANDHEALTHCARE CLINICIAN AND PRACTITIONER ACTIVE SUPPORT AND PARTICIPATION. HAVING ACHIEVED STATISTICALLYSIGNIFICANT EFFECTS IN ITS INITIAL IMPLEMENTATION, OUR PROPOSAL PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TOEVALUATE BOTH THE PROCESS AND THE IMPACT OF A PPR PROGRAM IN AN UNDERREPRESENTED LOW-INCOME, RURAL,AND PRIMARILY LATINO COMMUNITY INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WITH THE NOVEL APPROACH OFINTEGRATING FOOD-BEARING PLANTS AND GARDENING AS PART OF HERITAGE FOODWAYS, WHICH OFFER A LOCUS OFRESILIENCE AND RESOURCES FOR LONG-TERM BEHAVIOR CHANGE (INCREASED FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION).LED BY LA SEMILLA'S CULTURALLY COMPETENT, BILINGUAL, BICULTURAL STAFF, THE PROJECT STRIVES TOWARDSEXEMPLARY PRACTICES IN FOOD SECURITY, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EQUITY.

**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** CULTIVATING HEALTH WITH VEGGIE SCRIPTS & GARDENING IS A NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT WILL INCREASE THE PURCHASE AND CONSUMPTION OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, LOWER FOOD INSECURITY, AND REDUCE HEALTHCARE USE AND COSTS BY LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE AT RISK OF DEVELOPING OR HAVE DEVELOPED A DIET-RELATED DISEASE IN A MOSTLY LATINO, RURAL COMMUNITY IN DOÑA ANA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO. LEVERAGING LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM ASSETS, THE PROJECT WILL ADDRESS COST, TRANSPORTATION, AND EDUCATION BARRIERS TO FRUIT AND VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION IN A CULTURALLY GROUNDED PROGRAM. THE PROJECT WILL DISTRIBUTE $36,900 IN PRODUCE PRESCRIPTIONS YEARLY AMONGST 50 HOUSEHOLDS AND PROVIDE PARTICIPANTS WITH TRADITIONS-BASED NUTRITION, COOKING, AND GARDENING EDUCATION AS WELL AS ON-SITE ACCESS TO A MOBILE SNAP RETAILER WITH LOCAL PRODUCE AND FOOD-BEARING PLANTS. PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO RECEIVE ONE-ON-ONE FOLLOW-UP VISITS WITH PROMOTORAS (COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS) TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO BEHAVIOR CHANGE. THIS PROJECT OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIGOROUSLY EVALUATE AN INNOVATIVE, COMMUNITY-BASED NUTRITION INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT INTEGRATES GARDENING AND TRADITIONAL MEXICAN FOODWAYS, ASSESSING PRODUCE CONSUMPTION WITH THE MOST OBJECTIVE AND VALID INSTRUMENT IN THE FIELD: THE VEGGIE METER, A NON-INVASIVE MEASUREMENT OF BIOMARKERS FOR FRUIT AND VEGETABLE INTAKE.

CULTIVANDO LA COSECHA IN THE PASO DEL NORTE

THIS PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO MEET THE FOOD NEEDS OF LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES THROUGH CULTURALLY RELEVANT AND COMMUNITY-ROOTED ACTIVITIES AND INCREASED FOOD ACCESS POINTS AND IS THE RESULT OF SIX YEARS OF COMMUNITY-BASED WORK AND INPUT FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND FOOD AND FARM MICRO-ENTREPRENEURS. THE POWER OF COMMUNITY BUILDING AND EXCHANGE THAT HAPPENS OVER FOOD HAS TREMENDOUS POWER IN BUILDING SOCIAL COHESION AND COMMUNITY RESILIENCY. COCINA INTERCAMBIOS CREATE SPACES FOR COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER TO SHARE, LEARN, AND CREATE VITAL SOCIAL CONNECTIONS NECESSARY TO LONG-TERM WELL-BEING AND TO ELEVATE THE RICH LOCAL FOOD CULTURE. LOCAL SMALL FARMERS AND MICRO-ENTERPRISE ENTREPRENEURS ARE NOT SEPARATE FROM LOW-INCOME AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES - THEY ARE OFTEN ONE AND THE SAME. THERE IS A THRIVING AND VITAL ALTERNATIVE ECONOMY IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BORNE OF NECESSITY. THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS AND ELEVATES THE INGENUITY AND RESOURCEFULNESS OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND PROVIDES THE NECESSARY LINKS, EDUCATION, AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP CREATE A THRIVING LOCALIZED VALUE CHAIN. BY SUPPORTING THE EXISTING COMMUNITY WITH THIS PROJECT, WE ARE AIMING TO SUPPORT AND INCREASE THE SELF-RELIANCE OF THESE COMMUNITIES IN PROVIDING FOR THEIR OWN FOOD NEEDS. THIS PROJECT DRAWS DIRECT CONNECTIONS BETWEEN SUPPORTING THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION THROUGH FOOD AND FARM MICRO-ENTERPRISE SUPPORT AND INCREASING ACCESS OF FRESH, LOCAL FOOD IN LOW-INCOME AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

LEVERAGING LA SEMILLA FOOD CENTER’S COMMUNITY FARM AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THE PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE URBAN IMPACT OF OUR RAÍCES YOUTH PROGRAM AND YOUTH FARM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM. WE WILL TRAIN YOUTH FROM UNDERREPRESENTED BACKGROUNDS IN CLIMATE ADAPTIVE DESERT AGROECOLOGY, CAREER SKILLS AND LEADERSHIP, AND MICRO-ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES. LA SEMILLA COMMUNITY FARM WILL SERVE AS THE ANCHOR SITE FOR THE RAÍCES YOUTH PROGRAM AND THE FOOD AND FARM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, LEADING PROGRAMMING AND TRAINING FOR BOTH. EL CALVARIO AND PLANTY FOR THE PEOPLE/ONE GRUB WILL SERVE AS PARTNER SITES, HOSTING ONE RAÍCES SERIES EACH PER YEAR. PARTNER SITES WILL ALSO ACCELERATE AND EXPAND UPON INFRASTRUCTURE AND PRODUCTION.

LA SEMILLA YOUTH FARM PROJECT

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

FOOD DESERT PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN FARMERS MARKETS IN DONA ANA AND OTERO COUNTIES, NEW MEXICO

PURPOSE: TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF DIGITAL ART HIGHLIGHTING THE FOODWAYS OF THE PASO DEL NORTE REGION.