Las Cruces

From Classroom To Compost

Program Director Shahid Mustafa Teaching Las Cruces Students About Composting

Doña Ana County is in a unique geographic border region known as the Paso del Norte, that is presented with the difficult community challenge of environmental conservation issues that threaten water, soil health, and biodiversity. Converting deserts into arable, green landscapes is a global vision, and desert farming is a strong growth area of agriculture worldwide.  Chihuahuan Desert Charities is being proactive and preparing our youth for the future. A large part of the DYGUP regenerative agriculture curriculum is learning the value of composting, biodiversity and enriching soil.

Teaching Children Where Their Food Comes From

Las Cruces Children Participating In The Weed N' Seeds Program

A 2015 study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 34 percent of all kids between the ages of 2 and 19 ate fast food on any given day. Parents are faced with a multi-billion dollar advertising industry working to pack more junk into our kids just to make a profit. As a result, kids are less familiar with the very types of foods that are most healthy for them, like fruits and veggies.

Social Capital: The Roots of a Community

New Mexico Tree

The food movement is gaining momentum but we are at a critical moment.  Challenges are being faced and roadblocks are being put up. In the land of capitalism, we will have to maintain a sustained fight.  By working together we can keep the movement growing. The roots of change start in our local communities. We, as individuals need to reach out and grow with our neighbors around us.  Build on the roots of our community.

Las Cruces: A Food Desert

Desert Scene

Las Cruces is a food desert and its time to take action.

Defined by the USDA, food deserts are parts of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods, usually found in impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.

Urban Farming Improves Food Sovereignty

Las Cruces High School Students Learning Urban Agriculture

When vacant lots become farm plots in the city, the local community benefits from seizing more control over their nutritional options.

Humans have a right to define their own food and agriculture systems. This food sovereignty is the right of humans to have culturally appropriate food that is healthy and produced through ecologically-sound, sustainable methods. The DYGUP & Sustain program we sponsor at Chihuahuan Desert Charities is a crash-course in sustainable farming methodology. With a strong focus on soil health and techniques for cultivation in a desert environment.

Nature Deficit Disorder

Las Cruces high school student participating in our DYGUP program at Legacy Farm

Are our children suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder?

Yes! Children are spending 40-65 hours a week using electronics and fewer than 1 in 5 children walk or ride a bike to school.  Childhood obesity has increased from 4% in 1960 to 20% today. Children have less time for unstructured, creative play in the outdoors than ever before in human history.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Las Cruces