The Solar Initiative Addresses Food Insecurity
The Cornerstones Solar Initiative now supports solar solutions for food insecurity. The Solar Initiative recently made a grant to the Taos Land Trust for greenhouse solarization at the Rio Fernando Park.
In 2015 the Taos Land Trust (TLT) acquired the 20-acre property now known as the Rio Fernando Park. The once fertile land went fallow in the 1980s after it was severed from the acequia. TLT restored the acequia that feeds the property and the agricultural lands and wetlands that make up the Park. Now, TLT grows food for the community. Over the last year they increased food production by 500%.
TLT’s Emerging Young Farmers Program, established in 2019, provides agricultural and technical education to local youth who produce food for local food banks and students’ families in need. As part of this program, TLT built two greenhouses at Rio Fernando. These are the greenhouses solarized with support from Cornerstones. One greenhouse is the site for a collaboration with the Vista Grande High School, which primarily grows food for student-family and community consumption. The second greenhouse was built in partnership with the Taos Chapter of the Native Plant Society to be used as plant starter space before seedlings go into the ground.
Cornerstones is honored to participate in this essential program.
Photos courtesy of the Taos Land Trust. Click to zoom.
Rael Acequia Repair
Cornerstones is making an emergency mobilization to repair destroyed sections of the more than 300-year-old Rael Acequia. Recently, nearby cattle damaged a major section of the acequia, so the water was shut off. The Cornerstones team of Alan Ash, Issac Logdson, new intern Luna Galassini, and volunteers are spending two weeks doing a major repair using local on-site stone and clay mortar following very traditional methods. This pilot project will be a model for future structural repairs of the acequia. A large brown bear has been visiting the area keeping everyone on their toes!
Clockwise from top left: Acequia bank damaged by hooves. Rock work complete. Repair finished. Applying sod to top of the bank. All photos by Barb O'Dell.