Open Space Properties
Sanchez Farm

Property Description:

Bernalillo County acquired Sanchez Farm (14 acre tract of land) in 1997 as part of a drainage retention basin for storm water run-off from Isleta Blvd. County Parks and Recreation and community members were interested in developing the site as a wetland habitat, working agricultural area, and South Valley heritage interpretive center. Today, La Plazita Gardens is the leading community organization who has see this vision into a reality by engaging youth and other local members of the South Valley to practice innovative farming techniques.

La Plazita Organization
La Plazita Gardens

The mission of La Plazita Gardens is to serve the community by preserving farmland, developing the local economy, and revitalizing agriculture in the South Valley through a transformational, cultural, educational and experiential approach.

Community education is the focus of each partnering organization at the farm. Adults and youth are participants in all aspect of growing food and learning about culture, ecology and sustainable communities. The parciantes include the following groups:

• Nuestros Valores Charter School
• American Friends Service Committee 
• ARCA
• Gardens Edge
• NMSU Cooperative Extension
• Rio Grande Community Development Corporation
• South Valley Economic Development Center
• UNM Service Corps
• Fish and Wildlife Services
• USDA
• Seed sovereignty activists; herbalists; and many others.

"La Plazita Gardens serves as a center for the community where dialogue and transformation can take place. La Plazita Gardens natural beauty is an outdoor learning environment. The growing of food helps youth connect to the Earth. Through observation of natural patterns, nature becomes the teacher by demonstration the most efficient use of energy and relationships." By Joe Garcia, La Plazita Gardetns Outreach Director.

Community farming and volunteer opportunities are  available at Sanchez Farm Open Space. For more information about these opportunities and La Plazita Gardens, contact laplazitainstitute@hotmail.com, 505-508-1802. 

Streetology

Current Projects:

In 2010, the County and La Plazita Gardens will be working on a site master plan to identify the current needs of the property and future developments including outdoor furnishings, landscaping, and interpretive signs

For additional information on Sanchez Farm Open Space, contact Colleen Langan, Open Space Coordinator, at (505) 314-0398.