ACHIEVE and Youth Food Action Project at MRCOG Wed. May 11th

Growing Youth by Growing Food: Farm and Garden Partnerships Focused on Youth Engagement

Presentations from ACHIEVE, YFAP, Dragon Farm and Growing Awareness Urban Farm

Presenters include:

- Janet Page-Reeves from ACHIEVE

- Richard Brandt from Dragon Farm

- Matt Wilson from Growing Awareness Urban Farm (a project of East Central Ministries

- We are also hoping to have one or more of the students who have been involved in these projects.

ACHIEVE (Action Communities for Health, Innovation and Environmental Change): ABQ ACHIEVE's Mission is to create a healthy community that promotes physical activity and good nutrition through sustainable community-driven policy and environmental design. The project leverages community cohesion and resources in several areas of Albuquerque including the International District, the South Valley and Santa Barbara/Martineztown -- to make lasting changes that will impact the lives of residents for years to come.

YFAP (Youth Food Action Project): This project enhances community food security and combats the obesity epidemic in a manner that engages youth, educates the community about the nature of the food system, and mobilizes residents to take action to improve food access and food quality.

Dragon Farm: A fully operational - 1 acre farm that is part of the South Valley Academy Charter School.  Dragon Farm uses an experiential, service-learning curriculum, with agriculture as a mechanism to foster community participation.  Dragon Farm makes academic issues tangible and creates a rich learning environment that integrates students with the food environment in a unique way.  Dragon Farm is the centerpiece of this initiative.

Growing Awareness Urban Farm: A micro-business of East Central Ministries that has been in the making for 10 years. We have combined several of our home and garden projects in order to offer our customers an outstanding educational experience as well as high quality, socially conscious products.

DATE/TIME: Wed, May 11th, 9:00am-10:30am

LOCATION: MRCOG offices located at 809 Copper Ave NW

For more information: contact Ann Simon at (505) 724-3617 or at  asimon@mrcog-nm.gov.