The Local Foods Coalition of the San Luis Valley acknowledges the long, violent history preceding our stewardship of the land that makes up the Rio Grande Farm Park. The lands along the Rio Grande have long been intertwined with cultural and food systems for the Ute and later the Apache, Navajo, Tica, Tewa, Comanche, Kiowa, Cheyenne, Pueblo, and Arapaho. We understand that honoring these lands is a continuous process that demands thoughtful engagement and action. We accept our responsibility to be good stewards of this land and the precious resources it provides.

With this recognition comes support for First Nations in their continued efforts to cultivate Native foods, steward Native land, and foster the creation of healthy communities.

We also recognize the Guatemalan and Mayan individuals that farmed on this land for their families and communities while it was an abandoned elementary school site. We hope to continue empowering that community, as well as the broader SLV community, through our efforts to protect our water, land, and air while nourishing our people.