Based at Cerro Vista Farm in Cerro, Cultivo is more than just a farm education program; it is a movement toward food sovereignty and local economic resilience. By providing hands-on learning and mentorship, the program ensures that the knowledge of the elders isn’t lost, but rather revitalized through the energy of younger residents. Since its launch in 2023, the Cultivo project has been quietly transforming the landscape of local agriculture by bridging the gap between the communities youth and the ancestral traditions of the land.
The current staff at Cultivo consists of Gaea McGahee, Daniel Carmona, Blaze Diamond and Justin Powers. Cultivo operates as a nonprofit program under the 501(c)(3) organization Localogy and has been partially funded through the LOR Foundation. This structure allows the project to blend philanthropic support with a sustainable market enterprise. Neighbors can see the fruits of this labor firsthand at the Questa Farmers Market and the Sangre de Cristo Valley Market, where produce grown by local hands is sold back to the community.
The program’s philosophy rests on the belief that land and community are inseparable. By revitalizing the soil, Cultivo aims to strengthen the people. This is achieved through a robust internship and apprenticeship program that hires youth, primarily between the ages of 14 and 18. These students work side-by-side with experienced farmers and community mentors, learning the full cycle of vegetable production. From the quiet work in the fields to the fast-paced environment of the wash shed and farmers market, these educational spaces cultivate much more than vegetables—they build confidence, resilience, and a sense of responsibility.
The project focuses on three primary pillars. First is food security, produced by strengthening the regional food system with healthy, locally grown crops. Second is cultural continuity, empowering young people to reclaim the agricultural heritage that has shaped northern New Mexico for centuries. Finally, Cultivo promotes economic vitality by creating meaningful employment and business experience that stays right here in the county.
As Cultivo moves into the 2026 season, the program is set to expand its reach. Organizers are currently planning new cohorts for interns and apprentices, alongside new collaborations with local schools and summer programs. The goal is to ensure that more community members than ever have access to produce grown by local youth while providing clear career pathways for those interested in the future of farming.
The community is invited to get involved as the new season approaches. Residents can expect seasonal farm work days that welcome volunteers, as well as the return of farmers market sales. Participation is encouraged at all levels, whether as a volunteer, a mentor, or a supporter through donations and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share purchases available now.
For those looking to connect, the easiest way is to visit the Questa Farmers Market from late May through early Oct. Additionally, a Tues. Farm Stand and CSA distribution will be held in front of Yoga Sala in Questa from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., beginning in Jun.
Ultimately, Cultivo is about farming and forming connections—between youth and elders, land and labor, and work and well-being. By retaining ancestral practices and passing them to the next generation, the program is making a vibrant, small-farm future possible for all of Questa.
To learn more, visit cultivoproject.org or contact the team at cultivoprogram@gmail.org.
