Valleybound - School and Community Garden

Valleybound is an empowering educational space that promotes healthy living practices through local agriculture, conservation and sustainability. School and community gardens have succeeded in various cities around the San Luis Valley including Saguache, Del Norte and Alamosa. These gardens have provided their citizens with a way to reconnect with their roots, all the while sustaining a dialogue centered on healthy lifestyles. We have heard stories upon stories of the benefits that such a creative space brings to a community, and we feel that the time is ripe for the town of Antonito to become part of this widespread movement!

Our inspiration to start a school and community garden stems from our desire to initiate a dialogue around healthy living practices. As of 2012, 35% of our children are living in poverty. Also, Conejos County has been ranked 56 out of 59 Colorado counties for overall health. Our garden initiative will be one of the first steps in reversing this trend. The harvest will supplement school meals and provide community gatherings with local, organic produce. The garden also aims to cooperate with our afterschool program that focuses on increasing literacy and healthy choices. We aspire to be a catalyst for positive change in our community by using this multifaceted approach.

Overall, our short-term goal is to create an educational space that empowers our children and community, embracing our rich cultural heritage to promote healthy living through gardening.