ALAMOSA — Imagine learning how to farm regeneratively, how to cook or preserve local foods, and how ecosystems are interconnected; envision community workshops on topics like beekeeping. The community’s vision for an agricultural & environmental education space, developed around 5 years ago, is becoming a reality at the Rio Grande Farm Park.

The Ribbon-Cutting Celebration for the new education center, bathroom, and art installation is taking place on Friday, October 1st at the Rio Grande Farm Park located at 6935 Hwy 17. Food those who were part of the Farm Park’s origin story, you just might shed a tear at the exciting progress made on site this year. The hope is for the education center to ignite a love and sense of responsibility for the outdoors, local e n v i r o n m e n t , a n d agriculture among youth, visitors, and community members alike. This is a community-wide celebration open to the public from 4-7 pm. The fun includes the chance to win a Rio Grande Farm Park-raised chicken if you guess the weight of the biggest squash at the ribbon-cutting celebration of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition’s new education center. The education center brings to fruition elements of the master plan written collectively by the community in 2016. The event will start with a slew of kid’s activities created by Generation Wild partners including pumpkin painting and a zip line “fashion” contest from 4-5 pm. The formal ceremony, featuring beloved speakers like Julie Mordecai, Jesus Flores, and Dr. Bill Brinton, is scheduled from 5-6 pm and will be livestreamed on Facebook as well. The event will wrap up as local band “Blue Sky” will play hits to get the crowd dancing and folks can enjoy local bites from the mobile kitchen, “MoKi” and Tacos Martinez. Music, food, drinks and games will continue until 7 pm and the event is free to the public.

The SLV Local Foods Coalition is excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with the community and wants to thank all those who have been a part of this project & event: Great Outdoors Colorado, the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Bill Brinton & Kris Steinberg, the Kenneth King Foundation, Van Iwaarden Builders, Miller Construction, National Endowment for the Arts, & Arts in Society. Thanks to the sponsors that have allowed this event to be free to the public: 1st Southwest Bank, Laura Jane Musser Fund, SLV Health, San Luis Valley Federal Bank, City of Alamosa, Adams State University, Lightshine Music, REC Ciello, The Acequia institute, The Barn at Manzanilla, First Presbyterian Church, Valley Roots Food Hub, Vino Salida, Paul Wolfram and Beth Kinney.

Want to show your support for the new education center, its maintenance needs and expanded RGFP offerings? Donate at the event, the website www. riograndefarmpark.org or join us at an upcoming volunteer workday