About Lavender in the Village
Started in 1994, The Lavender in the Village Festival is being produced by the Rio Grande Community Farm.
The Rio Grande Community Farm (RGCF) is a non-profit organization operating on 27 acres of the City of Albuquerque, Los Poblanos Fields Open Space in Albuquerque’s North Valley and has been part of the community for 25 years. RGCF’s three primary mission elements are sustainable urban agriculture, education, and wildlife habitat. The farm operates using regenerative farming techniques for pest management, soil health and nutrition, and cultivation.
RGCF serves Albuquerque, the Village of Los Ranchos, and the surrounding community by hosting four events a year, including the Lavender Festival, serving approximately 11,000 people, supporting over 100 community gardeners in 80 garden rows, 38 micro-farmers on 1/8/ to 1-acre plots, providing farm camp programs for approximately 400 children, and conducting workshops and training programs. Many of the workshops and training programs are in conjunction with the Village of Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center. RGCF is the home of Tres Hermanas Farms Refugee Agriculture Partnership Program and Mountain Dojo’s Celestial Mountain Farm co-op. Additionally, RGCF provides affordable regenerative farm equipment rentals, and supports wildlife by rotating small fields, planting borders, and establishing a permanent 3-acre field specifically for wildlife habitat.
For those farming on the property, RGCF provides garden tools, water cans, wheelbarrows, educational information, compost, and workshops for the gardeners. The farm provides and maintains water troughs between irrigation sessions. RGCF’s micro-farmer program has increased from eight farmers in 2020 to 38 farmers in 2023. The micro-farmers have access to drip irrigation, and workshops on equipment and farming techniques.
RGCF’s impact on the community is significant, with events and programs that serve thousands of people each year. The organization’s focus on sustainable urban agriculture, community gardening, education, and wildlife habitat helps to connect people with the earth, water, and wildlife in their urban setting.
So why run the Lavender Festival?
In 2022, the RGCF began talks with Lavender in the Village, the organization that successfully ran the Lavender Festival for many years. As a long-time grant recipient of the proceeds from the Lavender Fest, and with a robust and willing board, it seemed a natural fit for RGCF to more directly participate in this collaborative, community event.
We look forward to a terrific Lavender Fest and a successful growing season on the farm.
Started in 1994, The Lavender in the Village Festival is produced by Lavender in the Village Association, a 501c(3) non-profit organization for the purpose of raising money to help fund local agricultural and educational programs.
The mission of the Lavender in the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization, is to preserve and enhance Los Ranchos public open space, stimulate an interest in sustainable agriculture, with an emphasis on educating the public, including such matters as historic agriculture, lavender and its uses, and fostering community spirit.
“The land belongs to the future.” Willa Cather Festival revenue generated by ticket purchases, donations, sponsorships, and vendor fees goes a long way to help support valuable, local programming, such as:
Lavender In The Village Board of Directors, 2023-2024
Katie Snapp, Chairman
Lisa McKinney, Vice-Chairman
Nan Nash, Secretary
Alison O’Leary, Treasurer
Matt Kuchar, Vendor Liaison
Kay Schollenbarger, Member-at-Large
David Hudson, Member-at-Large
THE FARM CAMP, a collaboration between Explora and the Village of Los Ranchos, provides week-long day camp programs for grades K-6 enriching kids’ lives with hands-on learning experiences focused on agriculture, sustainability, and the environment. www.losranchosnm.gov/farm-camp
RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY FARM is a 501(c)3 non-profit that manages a 2-acre community garden with education programming, and advocates sustainable agriculture and numerous initiatives to strengthen Albuquerque’s bonds to its rich agricultural history and quality, healthy, local food. Funding provided by Lavender in the Village has helped provide urban farmers land, equipment, information, and help on regenerative and profitable farming in our community. www.riograndefarm.org
TRES HERMANAS FARM is a program of Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains Refugee and Asylee program in Albuquerque. Tres Hermanas works with the Albuquerque community of refugee farmers to ease integration and increase self-sufficiency by growing produce, accessing farmers markets, and improving English skills. www.lfsrm.org
FESTIVAL OVERVIEW
Started in 1994, the Lavender in the Village festival is one of the premiere agri-nature events in the state.
This fun festival attracts over 9,000 attendees. The event focuses on agriculture, community, and family and has received national recognition for its impact on cultural preservation, agri-toursim and community building.
Festival Events and Activities
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Stroll through booths filled with fine arts, crafts, lavender, antiques and unique home décor.
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Open-air yoga classes led by the area’s top instructors.
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Educational exhibits, seminars and workshops focusing on cooking and healing with lavender, and the role of sustainable agriculture in everyday lives.
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New Mexico beer, wine and spirits.
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Local food and culinary treats.