New Mexico

Alliance for Children

 

Creating healthy communities through the arts

The Lincoln and Otero County Healthy Life Initiative
Click on the screen below to view a brief film by Phillip Collins about the Healthy Life Initiative:














Community gardens strengthen community bonds; provide healthy, locally grown produce for families; create educational and recreational opportunities; and promote environmental awareness.
Through our network of community gardens, the members of the Lincoln and Otero County Healthy Life Initiative are making nourishing food accessible for families who do not always have money for fresh produce. We also raise awareness about health and conserving the environment through hands-on gardening experiences, and by providing opportunities for our youth to grow and eat healthy, delicious food!
In 2011, we were able to expose more than 300 students to methods for cultivating a diverse, organic food garden. Working with experienced adults to build an organic, environmentally friendly garden space empowers children to make better food choices and learn ways that they and their families can supplement their diets with healthy, locally grown fruits and vegetables.

How You Can Help
Our goal in 2012 is to continue building a number of existing community gardens in Lincoln and Otero Counties and to develop some new ones in high need areas.
Donations of garden materials, such as tools, fencing, and seedlings, or cash donations for the purchase of supplies, are greatly appreciated. We also need volunteers to help tend the gardens, deliver produce to food banks, and assist with youth education classes.
Your help is welcomed at any of the following locations:
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Smokey’s Community Garden, Ruidoso
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Ruidoso Downs Community Garden
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Hondo Valley Community Garden
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Nob Hill Head Start Garden, Ruidoso
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Mescalero Community Center Garden
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Capitan Community Garden
Please join us for garden development meetings the first Wednesday of each month at 5pm at the Smokey Bear Ranger Station on Mechem Drive in Ruidoso, Hotshot Building Conference Room.  
For more information about gardening donations and volunteer opportunities, contact Dan Ray, dfray@fs.fed.us. If you are interested in assisting with the youth education classes, contact Julia Price, NMAC Director, Julia Email.