Los Alamos Youth Food Project

Issue: Environmental Responsibility

Grant Amount: $62,300.00
Los Alamos, NM
Year Funded: 2011
Organization: LOS ALAMOS JUVENILE JUSTICE ADVISORY BOARD

Contact Information

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The Los Alamos (LA) Youth Food Project will engage 540 7th and 8th grade Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) students to grow a thoughtful and productive community of youth and adults from diverse backgrounds working together to build a sustainable, local food system. Students will engage the entire Los Alamos Public Schools’ (LAPS) student body to participate in environmental service learning activities aimed toward engaging young people in personal and social change through sustainable agriculture.

LA, NM is built on 4 Pajarito Plateau mesas. It is home to 18,074 and a place of ancient Native villages, diverse wildlife, small-town friendliness, and world-changing science and technology. It is called the ‘atomic city’ as the birthplace of the first atomic weapon that evolved into the renowned Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). LANL’s mission is to ensure the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear deterrent; reduce global threats; and solve emerging security challenges.

In 2000, LA was engulfed in a devastating fire that devoured 235 homes and left 400+ families homeless. 40,000+ acres were blackened by fire so hot it melted the soil. This catastrophic disaster reminded residents that we live in a vulnerable, isolated community. We are dependent on external businesses to import our food, gas, and basic essentials. We must unite to preserve our environment, conserve energy and help our neighbors.

Project Updates

Check Presentation - September 15th 2011

The LA Youth Food Project kicked off with an official Check Presentation. State Farm Agents involved - Sue Hofman, Los Alamos agent; Lou Santoro, Los Alamos agent; Tamara Pachl, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist; Ellen Noemi, State Farm Regional Representative

No legislators were able to attend but the Superintendant of Los Alamos Public Schools Gene Schmidt, County Department Director Steve Lynne, Los Alamos Middle School Principal Rex Kilburn, JJAB Chair Alan Kirk were all in attendance, among other community volunteers, collaborators, teachers and students.

Another Check Presentation picture...

Planting Festival - October 24th 2011

Students and teachers gathered for a small planting festival in the Los Alamos Middle School Pledge Garden. This brought students together in the spirit of planting - gathering interest and momentum for the upcoming pep rally and student survey.

Another Pledge Garden planting picture...

First Work Party - November 22nd 2011

Students, teachers, adult volunteers, family members - about 40 people gathered the day before thanksgiving to begin building soil for our new Community Garden. Living on a mesa, we hit bedrock pretty fast - a particular kind of rock called Bandelier Tuff. It makes for an interesting challenge when we don't have much topsoil - but fear not! Youth and adults rallied, and with layers of cardboard, leaves/mulch, manure, soil, and snow -- we'll MAKE ourselves some topsoil!

This picture is the first "BEFORE" picture... Now onto the PROCESS pictures (our visions of the "AFTER" pictures are spectacular!!)

Another "before" picture...

First Work Party...

PEP RALLY for LA Youth Food roject - November 18th 2011

The students at LAMS held a PEP RALLY for the entire student body -- performing "Some Veggie To Love" -a remix of Queen's "Somebody To Love"... They also facilitated a fruit/veggie test-tasting (with fruits and veggies from our local Co-op). The students utilized this opportunity to rally student involvement, to announce the first work party, and to thank and acknowledge State Farm's support with the LAMS students (local representatives were present!). After the Pep Rally, each student recieved a pencil with the project name, a packet of seeds - "The Seeds of a New Project", and a piece of organic candy. (Pencils, seeds and other supplies donated by local Builder's Club mentor, Don Casperson, and the candy was donated by the Co-op.) Along with these goodies, each student filled out a survey focused on the LA Youth Food Project. We're looking forward to utilizing the feedback and support we gathered via the survey!!

Singing - for the love of vegetables...

Singing "Some Veggie To Love"

What does a KIWI taste like??

Taste testing produce from the Co-op... So - when blindfolded, would YOU be able to identify any fruit or veggie??

Getting the word out to the STUDENTS

Our Builder's Club President announces LAYFP information to the LAMS student body

Thanks to generous donations (Thank you Don Casperson!) of seeds, pencils, ribbons, and the time to tie them all together, plus organic candy (thank you, Co-op!), each student at Los Alamos Middle School recieved a gift announcing "The Seeds of a New Project". Each student recieved their gift in exchange for filling out a LA Youth Food Project SURVEY, where we learned more about what students want to plant in the garden, how they want to be involved, and most importantly, WHO wants to be involved.

Our group proudly displays their artwork on the LA Youth Food Project sign, and gets excited for the PEP RALLY, which was a huge success.

Our Wordpress BLOG

Here is our Wordpress BLOG --

http://layouthfoodproject.wordpress.com/ check it out!

Our Facebook link

Here is our Facebook site:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Alamos-Youth-Food-Project/255726924460825

Building soil -- in SUN and SNOW!

Our SECOND Work Party took place on a sunny, snow-filled Saturday (December 10th).

New LAYFP commercial reaches out to movie-goers over the holidays

Our local station, PAC 8, created a commercial to be played at our local movie theatre, the Reel Deal Theater. We are getting the word out to as many people as we can, and hope to bring in new volunteers and grow enthusiasm for our project.

Here is a VIDEO link from the Family YMCA Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=320917124596348

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Meet the Board