T

10 WAYS TO DEMOCRATIZE

the ECONOMYBY GAR ALPEROVITZ AND KEANE BHATT

HE RICHEST 400 AMERICANS NOW OWN MORE WEALTH THAN THEBOTTOM 180 MILLION TAKEN TOGETHER. The political system is indeadlock. Social and economic pain continue to grow. Environmentaldevastation and global warming present growing challenges. Is there anypath toward a more democratic, equal and ecologically sustainable soci-ety? What can one person do?

Building Egalitarian WealthThere is a great deal one person working with others can do. Experimentsacross the country already focus on concrete actions that point toward alarger vision of long-term systemic change – especially the developmentof alternative economic institutions. Practical problem-solving activities onMain Streets across the country have begun to lay down the elements andprinciples of what might one day become the direction of a new system –one centered around building egalitarian wealth, nurturing democracy andcommunity life, avoiding climate catastrophe and fostering liberty throughgreater economic security and free time.

Margaret Mead famously observed: “Never doubt that a small group ofthoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the onlything that ever has.” Of the ten steps, the five excerpted below may be toobig for one person to take on in isolation, but many are exactly the rightsize for a small and thoughtful group committed to building a new econo-my, restoring democracy and displacing corporate power.

As the history of the civil rights movement, women’s movement, and gay-liberation movement ought to remind us, it’s precisely actions of this sortat the local level that have triggered the seismic shifts of progressivechange in American history.

Democratize Your Money!Put your money in a credit union – then participate in its governance. Unlikethe large commercial and investment banks responsible for the 2008 finan-cial crisis, credit unions are nonprofit cooperatives that are member-ownedand controlled. These democratized, one-person-one-vote banks alreadyinvolve more than 95 million Americans as participant-owners. Takentogether, they hold roughly $1 trillion of assets – the equivalent of one of thelargest US banks, knocking Goldman Sachs out of the top five.

While many older credit unions have become quite cautious, it is also clearthat collective efforts to direct capital in their communities can work. InWashington, for example, activists from the small town of Vashon formedan organizing committee that was able to get three seats on the board ofthe Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union (PSCCU) then worked to opena branch in Vashon. In its first year, the Vashon branch enrolled 16 percentof the population, with local deposits totaling almost $20 million.

Credit unions are an opportunity for activists to build a nationwide, demo-cratic, localized, nonprofit alternative to corporate finance – and, wherepossible, begin to deprive it of the wealth that has become a strangleholdover our political system.

Triple Bottom Line: Time For Community Ownership!Help build a worker (producer) or consumer co-op or encourage interest-ed businesses to transition to employee ownership and adopt social andenvironmental standards as part of their missions.

Worker-owned co-ops bring democracy and democratic ownership intothe economy and into community life. Equal Exchange’s 100-plus worker-owners generate $50 million of annual sales while pursuing an innovativeagenda to make international trade in coffee and other food products moreethical. The WAGES-incubated green housecleaning worker cooperativesin the Bay Area provide critical job security for the immigrant women whowork in and own them.

In the next decade, millions of business owners born during the babyboom will retire. If each sells more than 30 percent of their company to theemployees, the owner may defer capital gains taxes (provided that the pro-ceeds are invested in US companies). Advocacy for such conversionscould be a powerful strategy for building more stable, vibrant worker-owned businesses and economies.

Among employee-owned institutions, co-ops allow for the mostdemocracy. Namasté Solar in Boulder, Colorado – a $15 million-plus-a-year solar energy services firm – converted to an employ-ee-owned cooperative at the beginning of 2011. Its workers ownthe firm equally and manage its operations on a one-vote-per-person basis. Its worker-owners in their mission statementdeclare, “We choose co-ownership over hierarchy, democraticdecision-making over centralized leadership, sustainable growthover aggressive expansion, and collaboration over competition.”They benefit from transparency of all company information, a 4-to-1 cap on the ratio of highest-to-lowest pay, and six weeks ofpaid vacation.

Demand Participatory Budgeting: Take BackLocal GovernmentOrganize your community so that local government spending isdetermined by inclusive neighborhood deliberations on key pri-orities. Participatory budgeting (PB), pioneered in the Braziliancity of Porto Alegre in 1989, is a bottom-up process throughwhich community members collectively decide how their localtax money is spent. While Porto Alegre’s initiative involved up to50,000 people and 20 percent of the city’s annual budget, (PB)

has been adapted to the differing contexts of 1,500 other munic-ipalities worldwide, from small towns in Europe and Africa tobustling metropolises like Buenos Aires and São Paulo.

PB has now arrived in the United States. In 2009, committedorganizers partnered with Chicago Alderman Joe Moore toinstitute the country’s first PB initiative and were able to directmore than $1 million of the ward’s discretionary funds towardtheir top projects. In New York City, communities and localgovernment officials have followed suit, committing $10 mil-lion in taxpayer money to the process. In 2012, the CityCouncil of Vallejo, California, instituted the first citywideprocess of this kind in the country.

As the Participatory Budgeting Project argues, the process con-tributes to more robust self-governance, greater transparency,

better-informed citizens, more equitable access to deci-sion making and spending, and real community buildingin the neighborhood – a central unit of democratic life.

Lawmakers who have embraced participatory budgetinghave found it to be enormously popular with their con-stituents across the US. Educate and encourage your citycouncil member to take the plunge into direct democracy!

Push Local Anchors To Do Their Part!Make nonprofit institutions like universities and hospi-tals use their resources to fight poverty, unemploymentand global warming. By encouraging these anchor insti-tutions to play a responsible role in their local commu-nities, activists often can influence and partner withthem to solve social, economic, environmental andhealth issues.

Higher education as a sector employs a workforce ofnearly 4 million, enrolls 21 million students, retainsmore than $400 billion of assets, and contributes $460billion of annual activity to the US economy. If you area student or a member of the surrounding community,you can help organize campaigns to deploy universityassets toward local job and wealth creation, education,housing and the provision of healthy food for low-income residents in the area.

Nationally, nonprofit hospitals report annual revenues ofmore than $650 billion and assets of $875 billion. The inte-gration of hospitals, universities and other anchors into along-term vision for a community-sustaining economy is asignificant development. In the University Circle area ofCleveland, such institutions spend $3 billion on goods andservices each year. An integrated group of worker-ownedcompanies has been developed, supported in part by thatpurchasing power. The Cleveland co-ops offer laundry andsolar services and run the largest urban greenhouse in the

United States. The aim is to create new community-owned busi-nesses, year by year, as time goes on.

You can utilize an important provision of the Affordable Care Act(often referred to as “Obamacare”) – Section 9007 – whichrequires every nonprofit hospital complete a Community HealthNeeds Assessment every three years, to engage the local commu-nity regarding its general health problems and to explain how thehospital intends to address them.

The goal is not simply worker ownership but the democratizationof wealth and community building in general. If your communitysuffers while big nonprofit institutions enjoy generous tax breaksor receive public funding, get organized to push these institutionsto use their economic power to benefit the community, followingmodels now emerging in many parts of the country.

Reclaim Your Neighborhood With DemocraticDevelopment!Build community power through economic development and com-munity land trusts. Community Development Corporations(CDCs) are community-based organizations that anchor capital

locally, usually in low-income areas, through the development ofresidential and commercial property, ranging from affordablehousing to shopping centers and even businesses. Roughly4,600 CDCs operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia,and they have created tens of thousands of units of affordablehousing and millions of square feet of commercial and industrialspace a year.

Community Land Trusts (CLTs) are nonprofit entities that oper-ate in more than 200 communities and have helped produceclose to 10,000 units of low-cost housing nationwide by takingland off the market and placing it in a trust. Most CLTs leasehomes to residents. And by retaining the majority of the homeequity gained over time, the trust is able to continue to makehomes available to new members at affordable, below-marketprices. Like CDCs, land trust boards are typically composed ofat least one-third land-trust residents.

The Alliance to Develop Power (ADP) in Springfield, Massa-chusetts, began as a small nonprofit fighting local displacement– until its members decided: “We want to own stuff too, not justfight people who own stuff.” The organization mobilized rentersin a large-scale campaign and bought 1,200 units of housingfrom private owners, making it the largest block of tenant-con-trolled housing in the United States. The democratically gov-erned, multimillion-dollar organization subsequently embarkedon an effort to build a “community economy,” leveraging its own-ership of property to anchor and incubate businesses whose sur-pluses go back into ADP’s programming – including advocacy onbehalf of the whole community.

As ADP Executive Director Tim Fisk writes, “We are attempting tonot just push back and improve individual and community stand-ing within an unequal world, we are attempting to build the worldas it should be. A world framed by our own definition of com-munity values and shared prosperity.”

The above article was excerpted by Robin Seydel and reprint-ed with permission from Gar Alperovitz’s book What Then MustWe Do? Watch for more of Gar Alperovitz’s writings in upcomingissues of the Co-op Connection.

SAVE THE DATE! Gar Alperovitz on Growing EconomicDemocracy and Community Wealth

at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

GARALPEROVITZOCTOBER 18Gar Alperovitz, author of America Beyond Capitalism, Unjust Desserts,and his newest book, What Then Must We Do? will be in Albuquerqueon Oct. 18 for La Montanita Co-op’s Annual Membership Meeting. Gar has been an international leader in re-imagining our economic system for greater justice and equity for one and all.o

Growing Democratic EconomiesANDCommunityWealth

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GMOS in the news May 2014 2

La Montanita CooperativeA Community-Owned Natural Foods Grocery Store

Nob Hill 7am – 10pm M – Sa, 8am – 10pm Su3500 Central SE, ABQ, NM 87106505-265-4631

Valley 7am – 10pm M – Su2400 Rio Grande NW, ABQ, NM 87104505-242-8800

Gallup 8am – 8pm M – Sa, 11am – 8pm Su105 E Coal, Gallup, NM 87301505-863-5383

Santa Fe 7am – 10pm M – Sa, 8am – 10pm Su913 West Alameda, Santa Fe, NM 87501505-984-2852

Grab n’ Go 8am – 6pm M – F, 11am – 4pm SaUNM Bookstore, 2301 Central SW, ABQ, NM 87131505-277-9586

Westside 7am – 10pm M – Su 3601 Old Airport Ave, ABQ, NM 87114505-503-2550

Cooperative Distribution Center9am – 5pm, M – F 901 Menaul NE, ABQ, NM 87107505-217-2010

Administration Offices9am – 5pm, M – F 901 Menaul NE, ABQ, NM 87107505-217-2001

Administrative Staff: 217-2001TOLL FREE: 877-775-2667 (COOP)• General Manager/Terry Bowling 217-2020terryb@lamontanita.coop• Controller/John Heckes 217-2029johnh@lamontanita.coop• Computers/Info Technology/David Varela 217-2011 tech@lamontanita.coop• Operations Manager/Bob Tero 217-2028bobt@lamontanita.coop• Human Resources/Sharret Rose 217-2023hr@lamontanita.coop• Marketing/Edite Cates 217-2024editec@lamontanita.coop• Membership/Robin Seydel 217-2027robins@lamontanita.coop• CDC/MichelleFranklin 217-2010mf@lamontanita.coop

Store Team Leaders: • Valerie Smith/Nob Hill 265-4631valeries@lamontanita.coop• John Mulle/Valley 242-8800jm@lamontanita.coop• William Prokopiak/Santa Fe 984-2852willpro@lamontanita.coop• Michael Smith/Gallup 575-863-5383michaels@lamontanita.coop• Joe Phy/Westside 505-503-2550josephp@lamontanita.coop

Co-op Board of Directors:email: bod@lamontanita.coop• President: Martha Whitman• Vice President: Marshall Kovitz• Secretary: Ariana Marchello• Treasurer: Susan McAllister• Lisa Banwarth-Kuhn• Jake Garrity• Leah Rocco• Jessica Rowland• Betsy VanLeit

Membership Costs:$15 for 1 year/ $200 Lifetime Membership

Co-op Connection Staff:• Managing Editor: Robin Seydelrobins@lamontanita.coop 217-2027• Layout and Design: foxyrock inc• Cover/Centerfold: Co-op Marketing Dept.• Advertising: Sarah Wentzel-Fisher • Editorial Assistant: Sarah Wentzel-Fisher sarahwf@lamontanita.coop 217-2016• Printing: Vanguard Press

Membership information is available at all four Co-op locations, or call 217-2027 or 877-775-2667email: robins@lamontanita.coopwebsite: www.lamontanita.coop

Membership response to the newsletter is appreciated. Email the Managing Editor, robins@lamontanita.coop

Copyright ©2014La Montanita Co-op SupermarketReprints by prior permission.The Co-op Connection is printed on 65% post-consumer recycledpaper. It is recyclable.

BY LORRAINE KAHNERATOKWAS GRAY, FOUR BRIDGES

PERMACULTURE INSTITUTE

If you haven't already seen our Change.org Petitionon Facebook, please take a moment to read about aserious problem that we are facing in Espanola, New

Mexico. This issue not only affects Espanola but all of RioArriba County and Northern New Mexico. GMOs are a

threat to our communi-ties all over the earth, and through pollen drift can contami-nate your hometown at any moment. We need to standtogether to speak out against GMOs.

A scientist from Washington State University wants to plantgenetically engineered poplar trees along the Rio Grande onthe north side of Espanola that will produce 2-phenylethanol,which will simulate a substance similar to rose oil. It is usedin foods, candies, flavored teas, sodas, alcoholic drinks,lotions, soaps, pharmaceuticals, toothpastes, chewing gum,cosmetics and powders.

Keith Jones is partnering in the project with Norman Lewis,director of Washington State's Institute of BiologicalChemistry, to form a company called Ealasid, Inc. This com-pany is working in conjunction with the Regional Coalition

of Los Alamos National Laboratories (LANL) Communities insupport of activities at a Wet Lab owned by LANL. The projectwould involve planting 80 acres of GMO poplar trees in the heartof agricultural land in Northern New Mexico.

Northern New Mexico has a strong tradition of agriculturethat stems back well before European contact. The seeds,food crops, medicines, wild plants and trees are sacred, andmust not be threatened by GMO contamination. Rio ArribaCounty, Eight Northern Pueblos, All Indian Pueblo Council,and Santa Fe County have all adopted resolutions to keepGMOs out of their communities. New Mexico SenateMemorial 38 also supports the New Mexico Food and SeedSovereignty Alliance in, "protecting native seeds from genet-ic contamination." This project would threaten the purity ofhuman, animal and plant life in these communities.

We need to set a precedent in our cities, counties, states, theentire country, North America and the world. Our health andthe health of our Mother Earth is more important than theprofitability of major corporations, including those that runour national labs. Join Rio Arriba County in taking a stand

against GMO Poplar trees.

PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION TO STOP EASALID and theRegional Coalition of LANL Communities from contaminat-ing agricultural lands and one of the largest and last remain-ing cottonwood forests in the world with their GMO poplartree project in Espanola, New Mexico.

For more information, to provide support and sign the petition,contact Lorraine Kahneratokwas Gray, Four Bridges TravelingPermaculture Institute at Four Bridges Traveling PermacultureInstitute: e-mail fourbridges@live.com, phone 518-332-3156or go to www.4bridges.org.

BY LARS PANARO, FOOD AND WATER WATCH NM

In mid-April, City Councilman Isaac Benton, District2, and co-sponsor Diane Gibson, District 7, intro-duced a memorial in the Albuquerque City Council

that would support labeling of genetically engineeredfoods (GMOs) on a statewide and national level. Thememorial was drafted with the support of the national con-sumer advocacy group Food & Water Watch and is strong-ly backed by a diverse coalition of over 50 organizationsand businesses in New Mexico, including La MontanitaFood Co-op, Dragon Farm, ProgressNowNM and Mar-chers Against Monsanto.

If passed, Albuquerque will join the city of Santa Fe in giv-ing people more transparency about whether or not theirfood contains GMOs. Since most processed foods containsome derivative of GMO corn, soybean or cotton, the Cityof Albuquerque would support labeling these productsunder this memorial.

“Labeling will give us the data we need to draw solid con-clusions about GE foods, and it will give consumers the abil-ity to make fully informed decisions about what we are eat-ing and feeding our families,” said memorial sponsor Benton.“Right now, the companies that stand to profit from geneticengineering are making those decisions for us.”

KEEP GMO POPLAR TREES OUT OF

NEWMEXICANCOTTONWOOD FORESTS!

LLAABBEELLIINNGGGMO

“It’s our right as citizens to know what is in our food,” saidmemorial co-sponsor Gibson. “In a democracy, corporationsshould not have special privileges that make it difficult for theaverage consumer to have transparency in what they consume.Labeling will give us the data we need to draw solid conclusionsabout GMO foods, and it will give consumers the ability tomake fully informed decisions about what we are eating andfeeding our families.”

Labeling GMOs is not a novel idea. Citizen-led campaigns havesuccessfully gotten legislation introduced in more than 20 states.Ballot initiatives in California and Washington were narrowlydefeated by multi-million-dollar campaigns waged by big foodcorporations. For years, polls have shown that the majority ofAmericans want genetically engineered foods labeled, just asthey are in more than 60 other countries, including the entireEuropean Union, China, Japan and Russia.

“The impact of genetically engineered foods goes beyond con-sumer health. It also threatens the livelihood of farmers thatgrow non-GMO crops since GMO seed and the GMO-relatedpesticides can contaminate neighboring fields.” said EleanorBravo, Southwest Organizer for Food and Water Watch.“Consumers should be able to decide for themselves if geneti-cally engineered foods should be fed to their families.”

The memorial was heard in the Finance and GovernmentOperations Committee on April 28 and will head to the fullCity Council for a vote on May 19. The memorial can beviewed here: http://fwwat.ch/Q5nToN.

For more information and the date of the City Council vote,contact Eleanor Bravo, ebravo@fwwatch.org, 505-633-7366.

COMING UP FOR A VOTE IN AABBQQ

JUNEMAY 19 @ 5:30PM CO-OP

YOU OWN IT

actionalertSUPPORTGMO LABELING!Come to voice your support for ABQ’s GMOlabeling memorial at the City Council Meeting.Come to the City Council Chambers in down-town ABQ May 19 at 5:30pm. For more info call:505-633-7366 or email ebravo@fwwatch.org.

concern for community May 2014 3

Ro D’Attilio is the produce manager at the Rio Grande Co-op. Sheregularly purchases both from national and regional distributors aswell as small local market gardeners. With years of experience, letRo show you what produce purchasers look for when you comeknocking on their door. She will give you the inside scoop on howto present your produce for sales in a variety of settings, and whatto do during and post harvest to ensure your products look as goodas they taste.

This workshop is open to all Veterans and active duty person-nel, and space permitting, the larger community. To register goto www.lamontanita.coop or call 505-217-2027.

PREPPING MARKET GARDEN PRODUCE FOR SALE

May 15, 3pmAT THE VETERAN FARMER PROJECT GARDENS AT THE ALVARADO

URBAN FARM, DOWNTOWN ALBUQUERQUE BETWEEN GOLD AND

SILVER AND FIRST AND SECOND STREETS

Learn from Ro D’Attilio, with her almost ten years ofexperience in the local produce movement, what it takesto market your home grown produce successfully. Findout how to navigate the intricacies of post harvest han-dling and packing that grocery purchasers, chefs andfarm stand customers want and expect.

EDITED BY ROBIN SEYDEL

With the upswing in cases of domestic violence,assault on college campuses and in the mili-tary we are most pleased to offer the Rape

Crisis Center of Central New Mexico as our bag dona-tion organization of the month.

The Rape Crisis Center was founded in 1973 by a group ofstudents at the University of New Mexico Law School. In thebasement of the Women's Studies program, women set up ahotline to provide support and validation to womenwho had been sexually assaulted. For thirty-six years,the Rape Crisis Center has provided support and advo-cacy to survivors of sexual assault, their families andloved ones. During this time, there has been tremen-dous progress toward acknowledging sexual assaultand domestic violence as crimes. Hard battles have ledto better definitions of sexual assault, to increased pro-tections for survivors, and to improved systemicresponse in addressing the crime.

The Rape Crisis Center existed during its first years asa volunteer organization before becoming a funded programof the University of New Mexico in 1979. In 2001, it sev-ered its formal relationship with UNM and became an inde-pendent non-profit organization. Currently, the agency hasthree programs: Crisis Services, Community Education, andCounseling. In 2006, it changed its name to Rape CrisisCenter of Central New Mexico (RCCCNM) to better reflectthe scope of services and that it serves Bernalillo, Sandoval,Torrance, and Valencia counties.

Over the decades one thing has not changed; their vision tocreate a world without sexual violence and their mission toprovide support and advocacy to survivors of sexual assaultand abuse while serving as a community resource on issuesregarding prevention and awareness of sexual violence.

Every year, on average, their 24-hour hotline receives approximately2,000 calls and they see close to 600 people at area hospitals. Thecounseling department sees, on average, 275 new clients per year, aswell as ongoing clients and group therapy participants. The commu-nity education and outreach department contacts, on average, 13,000community members per year.

They recognize that sexual violence is a tool of oppression that willnot end until all forms of oppression end. They continue to takeaction against sexual violence by challenging all forms of oppression,promoting social justice and working to create a culture that is sup-

porting, caring, honest, safe, accessible, andwhich promotes trust and open communica-tion for self renewal and healing for anyoneaffected by sexual assault.

HELP IS AvailableIf you are or know someone who has beenassaulted, you have options. The Center hasadvocates available 24 hours a day. Pleasedon't hesitate to call with any questions or ifyou just need to talk.

The 24-Hour Telephone Crisis Hotline is available 7 days a week,365 days a year. Call 505-266-7711 or 888-811-8282 toll free forassistance regarding sexual assault and abuse issues. TTYInterpretype equipment and interpreters are available for people whoare deaf or hard of hearing. Bilingual services are available forSpanish-speaking clients.

Staff and volunteer advocates are available 24 hours a day, 365 daysa year to provide in-person crisis intervention, support, advocacy,information, and accompaniment to the Sexual Assault NurseExaminers (SANE) program, area hospitals and law enforcementagencies. These crisis intervention advocates respond to several thou-sand crisis calls annually, providing assistance to hundreds of sur-vivors at the SANE unit and local hospitals.

Volunteer Advocates receive a comprehensive 40-hour trainingthat is offered three times a year and is open to both profes-sionals and community members. Contact the VolunteerAdvocate Coordinator for more information about the programand for upcoming training dates at 505-266-7711 or volun-teer@rapecrisiscnm.org.

CRISISCENTERBAG CREDITDONATIONORGANIZATIONOF THE MONTH:OF THE MONTH:

RAPE

THIS MONTH BAG CREDIT DONATIONS GO TO:The Rape Crisis Center of Central NewMexico: Providing support and advocacy to survivors of assault and abuse and serving as aresource on the prevention and awareness ofassault.

In March your bag credit donations totaling$2,512.07 went to National Institute of Flamenco.Thank you!

DONATEEyour BAG CCRREEDDIITT!donate

THEDIME!

VETERAN FARMER PROJECT

WORKSHOP

DO YOU LOVE YOUR CO-OP?Tell the world how! Time to VOTE for the BEST OF SANTA FE

GO TO:www.sfreporter.com/santafe/bestofsantafe

We hope you will vote for La Montanita Co-op for:Best Sandwich - Best Breakfast Burrito - BestPlace to Buy ProduceVOTING DEADLINE IS MAY 9

BEST OF SANTE FE

VOTE CO-OP

Co-op ValuesCooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility,democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of theirfounders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of hon-esty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

Co-op Principles 1 Voluntary and Open Membership 2 Democratic Member Control 3 Member Economic Participation 4 Autonomy and Independence 5 Education, Training and Information 6 Cooperation among Cooperatives 7 Concern for Community

The Co-op Connection is published by La Montanita Co-opSupermarket to provide information on La Montanita Co-opSupermarket, the cooperative movement, and the links between food,health, environment and community issues. Opinions expressed here-in are of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Co-op.

WESTSIDE3601 Old Airport Ave. NW

505-503-2550

Alameda Blvd.

Old Airport Ave.

Coors

Blv

d.

Old

Airport

Ave

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L A M O N TA N I TA C O-O P ‘SSANTA FE LOCATION

THANKS THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS ONGOING SUPPORT!

BY KENT SWANSON, ASSOCIATE PLANNER, CITY OF

ALBUQUERQUE OPEN SPACE DIVISION

W ithin and around our rapidly growing desertcity we are blessed with over 29,000 acres ofmajor public open space. The City of Albu-

querque Open Space Division, part of Parks and Recreation, isthe agency charged with caring for these special places. TheOpen Space system includes nearly 100 miles of multi-usetrails that provide opportunities for low impact recreation,including hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. OpenSpace trails vary widely in terrain and offer access to some ofthe most unique scenery in and around Albuquerque. Citizenscan find Open Space trails in the Sandia Foothills, the east side of theSandia Mountains, Sandoval County, in Albuquerque's riverside cotton-wood bosque, and on the West Mesa. Some of the most visited places in theOpen Space system include the Rio Grande Valley State Park (RGVSP) andthe Sandia Foothills Open Space.

The RGVSP is a 4,300-acre green ribbon of cottonwood forest whichextends from Sandia Pueblo in the north through Albuquerque then southto Isleta Pueblo. Popular trail access points on the east side of the RioGrande include the Alameda/Bachechi Open Space, the Rio del NortePicnic Area at the Central Avenue Bridge, and the Rio Bravo RiversidePicnic Area. You may also reach the bosque at several points along TingleyDrive. On the west side of the river, the Open Space Visitor Center, locat-ed at 6500 Coors Rd. NW, 87120, offers access to a series of beautiful,shaded trails that lead to stunning views of the Rio Grande and SandiaMountains.

The Sandia Foothills Open Space consists of about 2,650 acres of piñon-juniper woodland at the base of the Sandia Mountains. The Elena

great outdoors! May 2014 4

Gallegos/Albert G. Simms Park, south of Academyand east of Tramway, is a popular destination for hik-ers, mountain bikers and horseback riders who wishto explore the extensive Foothills trail system. On thenorth side of the picnic area is the CottonwoodSprings Trail, a wheelchair accessible trail that ends ata wetland and wildlife blind. The Sandia Foothills hasadditional parking areas and trailheads located eastof Tramway from Copper north to Candelaria Road.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF ALBUQUERQUE OPENSPACE TRAILS AND TRAIL MAPS, check outwww.cabq.gov/openspace. Trail maps are alsoavailable at the Open Space Visitor Center andat many local bike shops.

ENJOY AND PROTECT OUR NATURAL PLACESTWO GREAT EVENTS CELEBRATEOPEN SPACEEach spring and summer the Open Space Division, along withour non-profit partner the Open Space Alliance, REI and otherlocal organizations, host two volunteer events that honor andprotect our city’s natural places.

National River Clean Up When: Saturday, May 17, from 8am until 1pmWhat: During this one-day event volunteers help remove trashfrom the Rio Grande and its bosque. For more details seewww.cabq.gov/openspace. The event is free. Where: Volunteers will meet on the northwest side of the Rio

Grande off of the Central Avenue Bridge and Sunset.

National Trails DayWhen: June 7 from 8am until 1pmWhere: The Elena Gallegos/Albert G. Simms Park in the SandiaFoothills. Elena Gallegos is located east of Tramway just north ofAcademy. What: Volunteers work on over 10 different projects in the SandiaFoothills Open Space trail systems, including vegetation restora-tion, trash removal and trail maintenance. The event is free.

Registration is required for both events: All volunteers must reg-ister. River Cleanup volunteers are treated to morning refresh-ments, a door prize drawing and a free after-event picnic. Pleasecarpool as parking is limited! The first 100 volunteers to registerfor National Trails Day will receive a free T-shirt!

To register see www.rei.com/albuquerque, call 247-1191 orstop by their store located at 1550 Mercantile Ave. (I-25 andMontano). For more information on other volunteer opportuni-ties with Open Space, call 505-452-5200 or visit www.cabq.gov/openspace.

woods, native walnut and giant Arizona sycamoretrees, this river corridor is home to a remarkable diver-sity of birds, fish and mammals. Be sure to bring your“river legs!”

May 31: Rio Grande del Norte RaftingLos Rios River Runners is partnering with the NewMexico Wilderness Alliance for a river raft tripthrough the recently designated Rio Grande del NorteNational Monument. Spend a full day on the river inthe spectacular Rio Grande Gorge with walls rising to1,500 feet. After a riverside lunch, head into the roller-

coaster Class III rapids of the Racecourse. This will be an excellent tripfor those who want to experience the thrill of whitewater, but ease grad-ually into it. This trip is not recommended for children 12 and underduring high water conditions.

June 7-9: Rio Chama RaftingExperience three days and two nights floating down America’s wild andscenic Rio Chama with experts, scientists and philosophers from theNew Mexico Wilderness Alliance. The 25-mile-long Rio Chama beginsin alpine woodlands as a clear, rushing trout stream and ends at the headof Abiquiu Reservoir as a silty, desert river, rolling among rainbow cliffstypical of the Four Corners region. Lovely, wooded campsites and lively,but easy rapids make the Chama one of the best family river outings any-where. To REGISTER go to www.nmwild.org.

OF RIVERS ANDTTTTRRRRAAAAIIIILLLLSSSS

RIVERS RUN THROUGH USKEEPING THE SANTA FE RIVER ALIVE!

communities. Committed to building communityand raising public awareness of wilderness issues,their Let’s Get Wild! program connects citizens towilderness through hikes and volunteer serviceprojects throughout the state.

Upcoming wilderness hikes and adventures are both fun andeducational. Check out the ones below and other NMWAevents and register to participate on their website atwww.nmwild.org.

May 10: Lower San Francisco CanyonRiverine habitat and wetlands make up less than 1 percent ofNew Mexico’s landscape. Explore some of the finest remainingriver country in the state. This somewhat strenuous hike will goto the Lower San Francisco River where it winds its waythrough a critical wilderness study area. With its towering cliffwalls, hot springs, ancient narrow-leaf and Fremont cotton-

EDITED BY ROBIN SEYDEL

The New Mexico Wilderness Alliance is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated tothe protection, restoration and continued

enjoyment of New Mexico’s wild lands and wilder-ness areas. Founded in 1997, its mission is achievedthrough administrative protection, federal wildernessdesignation and ongoing stewardship. Their organizingefforts span the state and involve many diverse groups,including ranchers, sportsmen, land grants, acequiacommunities, tribal and religious leaders, scientists,youth and community leaders.

Their quarterly newsletter and their Wild Guide, analmanac of events filled with wilderness anecdotes, artand poetry, educates as it entertains. Youth outreachprograms engage young people in stewardship of pub-lic lands to promote a healthy future for our lands and

NM WILDERNESSALLIANCE LET’S GET WILD!

GG EE TT II NN TT OO TT HH EE GG RR EE AA TT OO UU TT DD OO OO RR SS !!

The Rivers Run Through Us project invites you towalk the Santa Fe River on Saturday, May 17, to seea collection of “Dreaming Water Houses”—beautiful“signposts” designed by the Rivers artist team, builtand sponsored by individuals, organizations, schools,and businesses—that will feature poetry, water decla-rations, information about rivers and water, and other

information. The day will include organized walks onand near the river between the Water HistoryMuseum and the southern City limits. For moreinformation, visit the project website (www.riversrun throughus.net) and/or contact Valerie Martinezat valerie@littleglobe.org.

SHOPSHOP

PROTECTAND ENJOY

GetoutINit

MAY17

4. Cast Iron Skillet.Safe, sturdy, non stick. I can cook anything in one; eggs,bacon, pancakes, quiche, roasts, burgers, veggies, evencakes and granola. I keep my skillet out at all times onmy stove top, ready to go.

5. French Press. Not really a coffee drinker but I occa-sionally indulge. I use the press for other nourishment.It's great for making traditional black or green tea, espe-cially in larger amounts for my family. This is oftenturned into iced tea or kombucha. I also use it for herbaltisanes: hibiscus, chamomile, peppermint, or lemon balm.These are great for every day health and refreshment,warm or cold. French presses are also great for brewedchocolate, dandelion and chicory blends.

6. Freezer. An extra chest freezer allows for financialsavings by helping me to take advantage of bulk pur-chases at a discount or bring home surprising producefinds. It allows for time savings by providing me a way toprepare meals in advance and cook them later when timeis at a premium. It also allows me to enjoy the occasion-al off-season treat when the mood strikes me. It is one ofthe major ways I maximize my food budget.

7. Cheaters. Every mom needs cheaters, hidden away inher kitchen. They allow for sudden schedule changes andunexpected playdates. They allow for a lapse in planning.Every family's cheaters are different. They may includejarred pasta sauce, cans of soup, frozen pizza or tortillachips for impromptu nachos. You will rarely find my cup-board without at least one box of macaroni and cheese!

mother’s day special May 2014 5

BY AMYLEE UDELL

W hether you work full time outside thehome, stay home full time with yourchildren, or do a combination of both, I

would wager that NO mom is a woman of leisure.Even when I have lulls in one area of my life, I am inthe kitchen cooking a meal or taking advantage of sea-sonal abundance and stocking up. I almost always havesome project going that helps me at a future meal:stock simmering, beans soaking, or bread rising. Iwould suspect we all have a handy tool or two that wewould claim we just cannot be without and that eachof our lists would be different. Here is my list.

1. Crockpot. I've written extensively about my loveaffair with my crockpot. It helps me return home aftera busy day to a fully prepared meal. It helps me makehuge batches of beans and baked potatoes. It scents myhome overnight with delicious breakfast smells andgreets me with a hot breakfast, even if I'm still groggy.It makes homemade broth a nourishing and easy sta-ple. It WORKS hard for me; I cannot be without it.

2. Rice Cooker. I know one could make a very strongand convincing argument that this appliance is NOT anecessary one. But for me, rice is not done right unlessit's done in a rice cooker. Lest you think a rice cookeris just for rice, let me share! First, many rice cookerscan be used to reheat leftovers on the Warm setting. I'lloften take leftover rice and add broth to make soup, ora cheesy sauce and beans or veggies for a casserole.When cooking a fresh batch of rice, throw on somesausages as the rice finishes cooking. All rice cookers,even the most basic, can handle other grains, as well.With a timer or a warm setting, you can wake up towarm oats. Some rice cookers can handle stews, roastsand can steam vegetables. There are many cookers nowthat are made with stainless steel and even clay.

3. Immersion Blender. While now I do NOT wantto live without my blender and food processor, I havemanaged in the past. I've gotten used to their speed andenjoy the luxury of extra time they provide.

MAKE IT EASY FOR MOM!

And one type of soup mix. Good quality hot dogs (stored in the freezer) alsohelp me out in a tight spot.

8. The internet. Yep. As much as I appreciate old fashioned ways I'm amodern gal. I like knowing I can grab three bags of someobscure discounted vegetable and look up how to prepare andprocess it. Or post a question about said veggie on Facebookand receive a variety of replies from which to choose. I likelearning how to spot treat or tincture or repair or just read howanother mom handles her best and worst parent moments.

Honorable mentions might be: Dehydrator, yogurt maker, plas-tic storage bags (c'mon—you know they're handy for somethings!), mason jars, silicone spatulas, or stoneware. I supposeRefrigerator could be on the list, but for our lucky selves, that'sa given and not a luxury. I'm fully aware many people get bywith none of these.

Whether you are a mom, a dad, a grandparent, aunt or uncleor anyone running a home of any size, you're bound to get

caught up in the drudgery of daily tasks. So just remember all of our handytools and when even those can't help us get dinner on the table on time,remember the blessing of the Co-op's deli and carry-out!

MOTHER’S KITCHENHHHHEEEELLLLPPPPEEEERRRRSSSS

(Rasband Dairy), but also takes advantage of localproduce and local eggs from Gallup. Blunt Brothersmakes herculean efforts in recycling, and the compa-ny has future plans to maximize natural energy

resources. Dave Rodriguez explained to me that hismicroloan from La Montanita Fund will eventuallypermit his company to have 3 to 4 electric coffeeroasters in an Albuquerque warehouse powered bysolar panels. He hopes to be totally off grid at thisfuture Albuquerque location within the next fiveyears. Blunt Brothers Company only uses Fair Tradeorganic beans. Part of the company's mission is tosupport only non-slave labor and this commitmentgoes even to the company employee's uniforms,which are only purchased from companies producingAmerican-made clothing. Blunt Brothers does notutilize any GMO products. Their company trulyattempts to change the world one cup at a time.

The owner of Blunt Brothers stated he could recom-mend La Montanita FUND to other small businessesbased on his initial loan experiences. Dave Rodriguezrelated that dealing with La Montanita and the

Credit Union was by far easier than having tonegotiate for a traditional bank loan. He men-tioned how inviting the atmosphere was, in allof his interactions, and that he was not intimi-dated in the least compared to a banking expe-rience. Dave Rodriguez said that his microloanfrom La Montanita FUND has allowed hiscompany to triple his wholesale sales in Gallupwithin the last two months; permitted him tooffer his customers a better variety of coffeeproducts; encouraged him to expand personnel;and given him the extra time to experimentwith his product in order to meet future cus-tomer demands.

La Montanita Fund has allowed for the fusion ofcooperation between Blunt Brothers Coffee, LaMontanita's Gallup store, Crumby Bread Company,Work in Beauty produce, and local egg providers. LaMontanita FUND is producing a true local economywith regional ties when factoring in Blunt Brothers’expansion into Albuquerque, La Montanita's CDC,and other La Montanita resources.

Blunt Brothers is well on its way to being anoth-er success story in the three-year history of LaMontanita FUND.

EEvery time I open a newspaper, listen to thenews or look at articles online, the theme isusually “bad news.” In 1983 Anne Murray

released a song called A Little Good News. While thissong spoke to that era, it is still relevant today. My goalis to bring you a little good news! This good news is allthe programs that have been created by your Co-op tomake our communities stronger. The programs you seebelow are only a small sampling of the Co-op’s commitment to the cooperative princi-ple of concern for community.

CDC (Cooperative DistributionCenter)/Foodshed:Started in 2007 with just an idea and smallwarehouse, the CDC/Foodshed projectserves our local producers and has been thecatalyst for many of them to grow andexpand their operations. We deliver to manysmall business that otherwise would have a difficult timereceiving product, including our own Gallup store.Several years ago we moved from our small 7,000 squarefoot warehouse to our now almost 18,000 square footwarehouse with the awareness that we had to accelerateour local food system quickly for this new space to becost effective. Our staff, led by Michelle Franklin, havedone just that. Michelle and her staff have put in mucheffort and can take great pride in where we are today.

La Montanita Funds:On October 6, 2010, the New Mexico State SecuritiesDivision approved LaM FUND’s grassroots investingprogram that we now offer to all Co-op members whowant to support the growth of our local food systemand strengthen our local economy.

While October 6, 2010, was the official starting dateof LaM FUND, the idea and development of this pro-gram was a year of work. The idea was simple; poolinvestments from Co-op members to collateralizeloans to farmers and producers in New Mexico; thestructure is complex. Our Co-op is fortunate that wehave talented people willing to give their time andexpertise to help LaM FUND become a reality. LaM

FUND has many success stories andcontinues to grow.

Veteran Farmer Project:The Veteran Farmer Project is a coop-erative collaboration between LaMontanita, Downtown Action Team,and the NM Department of Agri-culture. This program provides a ther-apeutic garden space to veterans tolearn to grow fresh produce. This pro-

gram has required commitment and work by our mem-bership staff to keep it moving forward and to keep itan attractive option for Veterans. This project startedwith two simple elements; we heard of a similar pro-gram and asked the question, “what would happen ifwe started such a program here?”

Every time you, our members, shop at our stores, partof your money goes to support these and the manyother programs that La Montanita has created andparticipates in; your dollars stay in New Mexico andhelp to not only share a little “good news” but to cre-ate a little good news. Please contact me anytimewith comments, concerns or to share your goodnews. I can be reached by phone at 505-217-2020or by e-mail at terryb@lamontanita.coop. Thanksfor your ongoing support of La Montanita.

-Terry Bowling

BY JAKE GARRITY

When I first moved to Gallup twenty years ago, find-ing a natural food grocery store and a good cup ofJoe was, needless to say, more than difficult. For the

last ten years, La Montanita has filled the first void and the coffeescene here in Gallup has greatly improved. Most notably, BluntBrothers Coffee Company has shaken up the caffeine hierarchy herein the last two years. This small but mighty company originated inGallup. They roast their own coffee and have a popular drive-through coffee shop. Casual conversational surveys have anointedBlunt Brothers the best tasting cup of coffee in town. This smallcompany has also had an ongoing relationship with Gallup’s LaMontanita. Blunt Brothers purchases all of its dairy products fromthe Co-op and sells its different coffee blends wholesale to Gallup’sstore. This association has taken on a new significance the last cou-ple of months since the owner of the company took advantage of amicro loan from the La Montanita FUND.

Even though Blunt Brothers is only two years new, this microloan hasallowed Dave Rodriguez, the owner, to expand his business intoAlbuquerque, via the Blunt Brothers’ Blunt mobile. Blunt Brothers hasalso increased the number of their different coffee blends in LaMontanita’s Gallup store, now occupying an entire row. Blunt Brothershas been able to expand the non-coffee selections at the drive-throughstore by offering Gallup’s own Crumby Bread products, locally baked byJosh Kanter. Fresh Crumby organic bread and pastry products are alsoavailable at Gallup’s store.

Blunt Brothers Coffee Company is committed to certified organic prod-ucts. The company not only utilizes local Albuquerque dairy products

BLUNTBROTHERSCOFFEE COMPANY

LA MONTANITA FUND SUCCESS!co-op news May 2014 6

membership isOOWWNNEERRSSHHIIPP!!

fed premium alfalfa, grain, molasses,silage, whey and have room to grazeon high desert plants. In the growingseason they receive additional treatssuch as lettuces and other greens thatcome from the local farmers’ market.The herd is treated with love, respectand kindness, which means they do notreceive hormones such as RBST. OWDgoats produce creamy fresh milk,which is collected daily in pasteurizers

and then handcrafted into cheese. www.theoldwindmill-dairy.com

Freanna Yoghurt, Clovis – This yoghurt has a deli-ciously fresh, light and pure taste. Freanna Yoghurt isa perfect base for smoothies, breakfast or a snack withcereal, granola or fruit because it is thinner than mostyoghurts. It truly is an all-natural, pure, yoghurt—no

DOWN AND DAIRY!BY SARAH WENTZEL-FISHER

May is a time of motherhood, which means many ofthe bovidae family, including goats and cows, are hav-ing babies and producing large amounts of milk.

Spring is a time of abundance in dairies, both in welcoming newmembers to the herd, as well as a time of serious lactation.

Did you know that New Mexico is one of the leading dairyproducing states in the union? While much of this milk is pro-duced in very large dairies to be shipped all over the country, many of theproducers the Co-op works with operate family owned, medium and smallsized dairies.

Currently the Co-op Distribution Center works with a number of dairy pro-ducers. As a reminder, here’s a brief profile of a number of the family oper-ations we support.

Old Windmill Dairy, Estancia – Their premier artisan cheeses start withhigh quality fresh milk. To ensure the quality of the milk OWD animals are

thickeners are added. Freanna Yoghurt is madeonly from whole milk and a blend of live and activeprobiotics and yoghurt cultures, including ther-mophiles, bulgaricus, acidophilus, and bifidobac-terium lactis. This premium quality stir yoghurt isa rich source of calcium and protein, and containsno artificial additives, preservatives, or high fruc-tose corn syrup.

Tucumcari Cheese, Tucumcari – Started in1995 by fourth generation cheese maker ChuckKrause, the company has grown from producingjust feta to offering a wide variety of cheeses,including cheddar, romano, muenster, and theirever popular pepper jack.

Rasband Milk, South Valley of AlbuquerqueRasband Milk is all-natural, nothing is added.Neither growth nor milk hormones, such as rBGH,are ever given to Rasband cows.

BUILDING THE LOCAL FOODSHED

GOOD NEWS! PROGRAMS THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES STRONGER

THE INSIDE SCOOP

GENERAL MANAGER’S COLUMNt e r r y b @ l a m o n t a n i t a . c o o p

GGGG RRRR OOOO WWWW IIII NNNN GGGG TTTT HHHH EEEELLLL OOOO CCCC AAAA LLLL EEEE CCCC OOOO NNNN OOOO MMMM YYYY

co-op news May 2014 7

CO-OPS: A Solution-Based System A co-operative is an autonomous association of persons

united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social andcultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and

democratically-controlled enterprise.

5/15 Veteran Farmer Project: PACKING FOR WHOLESALE, 3pm. See page 3

5/20 BOD Meeting, Immanuel Church, 5:30pm

5/24 Santa Fe Co-op, BBQ and FundraiserMemorial Weekend. See page 1

See back cover for Westside location events!

MayCalendarof EventsBy Sarah Wentzel-Fisher

What your mom really wants forMother’s Day is a clean house that shedidn’t have a hand in making

spic and span. What better way to tell heryou love her than by not only cleaning up,but doing it with safe, homemade cleaningproducts. The Co-op carries a wide variety ofgreat cleaning products that are free of theharsh synthetic chemicals of conventionalcleaners, but here are a few you can makeyourself out of off-the-shelf ingredients youcan also find at the Co-op.

DISH SOAP

Prep: 2 minutes/yield 16 ounces

2/3 cup liquid castile soap3 teaspoons vegetable glycerin5 drops tea tree essential oil20 drops lemon essential oil1 1/3 cups water

Using a funnel, pour soap, glycerin, tea tree oil,lemon oil and water into a recycled dish soap bottle.Shake well to emulsify. Use on your dishes, or othermiscellaneous cleaning.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER

Prep: 2 minutes/yield: 1 cup (enough for 1 use)

1/2 cup baking soda10 drops tea tree essential oil1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

Pour baking soda directly into the toilet bowl, add oil,then vinegar—in that order. Let water effervesce forseveral minutes, then scrub bowl with brush. Flush.

ANTIBACTERIAL SPRAY

Prep: 2 minutes/yield: 18 ounces (a 2- to 3-monthsupply)

2 cups water2 tablespoons liquid castile soap1 tablespoon white thyme essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil

Using a funnel, pour water, soapand oils into a 24-ounce spraybottle. Shake. Spray and let sitfor 20 minutes. Wipe down sur-faces with damp cloth.

ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

Prep: 5 minutes/yield: approximately 24 ounces

1 teaspoon washing soda2 teaspoons borax2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar2 1/2 cups hot water5 drops lavender essential oil7 drops lemon essential oil1/4 cup liquid castile soap

Put on gloves. Using a funnel, pour washing soda,borax, vinegar, water and oils into 24-ounce spraybottle. Shake well, add soap and shake again. Sprayon walls, countertops and other surfaces. Wipe withdamp sponge.

FURNITURE POLISH

Prep: 1 1/2 minutes/yield: 3 ounces

2 tablespoons olive oil1/4 cup distilled white vinegar1/4 teaspoon lemon oil (or fresh lemon juice)

Using funnel, pour olive oil, vinegar and lemon oilinto a small squirt bottle. Shake well to emulsify.Squirt polish onto microfiber cloth and rub onto fin-ished-wood furniture. Always go with the grain andevenly distribute polish. Remove any excess polishwith a clean cloth.

CLEAN IT UP FOR MOM

BEST MOTHER’S DAY GIFT!

nurturing mom May 2014 10

a vegan, gluten-free

Mother’sDAYbrunch

ADRIENNE WEISS, a committed Co-op volun-teer and fantastic home chef, provided us theserecipes for a wonderful vegan, gluten-free Mother’sDay brunch. Save the cheese for the family photos,and make sure your mom eats like a queen.

TOFU CHILAQUILESThis is a tasty spin on the traditional Mexican dishmade with scrambled eggs. Tofu, enriched with"cheesy" nutritional yeast, flavorful spices and amedley of vegetables, makes this a healthy, deli-cious brunch entrée with a real kick! Serves: 4/Preptime: 55 minutes.

Chilaquiles6 corn tortillas1 sweet potato, diced small4 tablespoons vegetable oil2 tablespoons chili powder2 tablespoons tamari4 cloves garlic, finely chopped6 scallions, finely chopped1 14-ounce package firm tofu1/4 cup nutritional yeast1 teaspoon turmeric1/2 teaspoon marjoram1/2 teaspoon dried basil1/2 teaspoon cumin1 medium poblano pepper, finely chopped1 medium red pepper, finely chopped1 cup crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

Garnish1/2 cup salsaAvocadoCilantroLime wedges

Heat oven to 350ºF. Cut tortillas in half and eachhalf into approximately 1/2-inch strips. Bake onlightly oiled sheet for 10 minutes until crisp. Removefrom oven and set aside. Heat 2 tablespoons oil inlarge skillet. Add diced sweet potatoes with 1 table-spoon each chili powder and tamari. Stir and sautéfor approximately 15 minutes, until tender. Removefrom stove and set aside. In same skillet, sauté garlicin remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add scallions andcook until translucent.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mash tofu and combinewith nutritional yeast, turmeric, marjoram, basil,cumin and remaining tablespoon chili powder. Addmixture to skillet. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirringfrequently. Add both poblano and red pepper, mush-rooms, spinach and remaining tablespoon tamari.Continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Add salsaand blend well. Add sweet potatoes and tortilla strips.Mix all ingredients together and serve. Garnish withavocado slices, cilantro and lime wedges.

VEGAN CHIPOTLE SAUSAGE HASHfrom Isa Chandra MoskowitzThe beauty of hash is that everything comes togetherin one big pan! The many textures makes this spur-of-the-moment meal interesting. The smoky and spicyflavor, with a hint of lime juice to brighten it up, givethis dish a great punch. The tahini sauce and choppedavocado add a creaminess in the absence of an egg.Serves: 4/Prep Time: 45 minutes.

Hash2 tablespoons olive oil1 pound Yukon Gold Potatoes, diced

into 1/2-inch pieces1/2 teaspoon salt1 small onion, finely diced4 vegan sausages of choice (preferably “Field Roast”

or "Tofurkey") cut into 1/2-inch slices1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro plus extra for garnish1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon curry powder1/2 cup chipotles in adobo sauce, seeded and finely

chopped (sold in 7-ounce can)2 tablespoons fresh lime juice1 avocado3 scallions, finely chopped (optional)

Cook 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add potatoes and salt. Cover pot andcook approximately 15 minutes, flipping potatoesoften until lightly browned. They should be edible,but still very firm. Meanwhile, make dressing whilepotatoes cook.

Uncover pot and with remaining 1 tablespoon oil,add onion and cook for 5 minutes, tossing fre-quently, until softened. Add sausages, cilantro,oregano and curry and cook for 10 minutes ormore, to allow sausages to brown and heatthrough. Add chipotles and cook to integrate fla-vors and make sure potatoes are tender. Toss withlime juice and adjust salt and seasonings to taste.When ready to serve, pour dressing over top ofhash and garnish with chopped avocado, cilantroand/or scallions.

Tahini Dressing1 clove garlic1/4 cup tahini2 tablespoons nutritional yeast2 tablespoons mellow white miso1/2 to 3/4 cup water

Add all ingredients to blender or food processorand purée until smooth. Start with 1/2 cup waterand adjust accordingly to obtain desired consis-tency. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

BANANA RABANADA(Brazilian French Toast)Rabanada is a traditional Brazilian dish. Thisrecipe is quick and easy, but the bread does needto soak in the custard for 20 minutes. Keep this inmind when planning your brunch. Serves: 6/PrepTime: 45 minutes.

2 very ripe bananas1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon1 1/2 cups almond milk or non-dairy milk of

choice2 tablespoons cornstarch1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-to 2-day old baguette, sliced diagonally

in 1-inch pieces, or sliced bread Several tablespoons vegetable oilSliced strawberries and bananasMaple syrup or agave (optional)Vegan margarine (optional)

If all you have is fresh bread, leave slices outovernight or put them in a 300º oven for about 10minutes to dry them out until they are slightly hard-ened, but not browned. Combine cocoa, cinnamon(reserving 1/2 teaspoon each for topping), bananas,milk, cornstarch and vanilla in a blender or foodprocessor until smooth. Spread bread slices in a sin-gle layer in a shallow baking pan or large bowl. Pourbanana mixture over the bread, coating thoroughly,flipping slices to do so. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Preheat a large, nonstick skillet (preferably cast iron)over medium heat. Add enough oil to create a thinlayer on the bottom (a tablespoon or two). Cook halfthe soaked bread for about 5 to 7 minutes on oneside and about 3 minutes on the other side. Whenready, the toast should be golden to medium brownand flecked with darker spots. Keep warm on a cov-ered platter while cooking second batch.

If not serving immediately, place in a 200ºF oven forup to an hour. When ready to serve, combine 1/2 tea-spoon cocoa with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and usinga sifter, lightly dust each serving. Serve with fresh,sliced strawberries and bananas. If desired, top withmaple syrup or agave and/or vegan margarine.

nurturing mom May 2014 11

thebest for MOM

Mary Alice Cooper,MD

FLOWERS FOR MOM! GET FAIR TRADE FLOWERS at your favorite CO-OP! Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 11th

SPRINGgreens...

Shop your Co-op!

BY BRETT BAKKER

W hen the topic of waterwise farming comesup, so invariably does drip irrigation. Putwater exactly where you need it, the argument

goes, and little if any evaporates, ensuring maximum use. Afair enough argument, I suppose, not counting the fact that ifyour system fails, your plants’ roots have been too busy get-ting a cool drink near the surface, ergo, they have not beentrained to delve deeply, or to tolerate any delay or shortage ofwater. That’s more than enough con than pro for me. But, asthey say on “teevee,” wait, there’s more!

What’s the cost for drip? I don’t mean the hundred bucks you have tospend at the local garden store (that’s beyond reach for some folks,don’t forget) but the true costs, including: energy, fuel and emissions toextract the oil and run the factory to manufacture the plastic drip line.Plus a pump or pressurized water source (which also takes energy tomake and run). And that’s just the bare bones basics. What about pres-sure regulators, filters, backflow preventers… more stuff! And oil tofuel the machines to make the stuff. And so on.

Compare our traditional acequias, the irrigation ditches. They toorequire infrastructure: energy for materials and building of diversiondams and headgates. If made well, this is done once and will last longerthan drip lines which will end up at the landfill in a few years. Afterthat, all you need is a shovel and manpower. The standard argumentsagainst flood irrigation abound: Outdated! Wasteful! Evaporation!Empties the river!

Empties the river? Yeah, it does. But pumping water from the groundempties the aquifers that the rivers fill. Or if it’s a “fossil” aquifer,there’s little to no regeneration so you’re gonna run out of water any-way. As small as they are, rivers are our only renewable water resourcehere in the high desert. If done correctly in good clay and organic mat-ter-rich soils, deep flood watering need be done only once a week, evenless as your crops near maturity.

Evaporation? Since 2009, research headed by Sam Fernald—watermanagement specialist at NMSU —shows that just 7% of acequiawater is used by crops and by evaporation/transpiration. The restreturns to the river through surface run-off (60%) or movement as

farming & gardening May 2014 12

groundwater (33%). This can happen in as little assix to ten weeks, but water can also filter slowlythrough the soil for up to three months. In effect,the water is being stored underground (where it alsobenefits soil microorganisms and hydrates deep-rooted plants).

There’s always more than numbers. Recently at theKiMo Theater series Water Crisis in the West:Thinking Like a Watershed (ongoing through Juneand free! www.kimotickets.com/event/162798), Iheard an old acquaintance/hero speak. Embudo,New Mexico, native Estevan Arellano (author of

TRADITIONAL WISDOM FOR TRUE EFFICIENCY

the highly anticipated book The Wisdom of Land, TheKnowledge of Water due later this year) pointed outthat since drip irrigation must run every day, new par-ciantes (acequia users) demand a share of the waterevery day. That’s just not how acequia culture works.Water is parceled out weekly to different users alongthe ditch at different times and durations depending onacreage and need. No one gets what they want whenthey want it, but everyone gets what is good for thewhole community. This teaches cooperation, participa-tion and especially patience, all of which are always inshort supply among us humans and never outdated.

Ditches lined with concrete were built to slow themovement of water into the surrounding soil andbypass the labor of cleaning and weeding the acequia.Besides halting the benefit of the underground move-ment of water, this also broke down annual acequiacleaning events that involved the whole village with asense of solidarity and purpose, as well as communalfeasts of chile stew at the end of the day.

Village elders will tell you that the acequias used to belined with purposefully planted multiuse crops. Fruittrees, wild plums or cherries. Yerbas (herbs) used asfood, beverage or medicine. In effect, the acequias werelong, narrow winding oases with cottonwoods forshading the water, people and livestock as well as pro-viding a cool, fresh drink for the cows or sheep. Thissounds like true efficiency in action to me.

WATERWISE gardening inDDRROOUUGGHHTTCONDITIONS

sodic alkaline clay. Come see what he has learned andapply it to your home garden landscape.

Talks and Discussions between 10am-12:30pm. Bring apicnic lunch and enjoy live music in the afternoon shade!Representatives from local plant and garden clubs,wildlife and wetland projects, farmers’ market staff, andothers will be on hand. Free parking and admission!!More information call 505-866-5027 or email: treesthatplease@comcast.net. Arboretum Tomé is located at3084 NM Hwy 47, Los Lunas, NM 87031. For directionsgo to www.treesthatplease.org.

Enjoy the Trees That Please Nursery and the ArboretumTomé’s Annual Open House and Garden Party on May 31.The Arboretum Tomé is a private collection of rare treesendemic to the desert developed by Michael MartinMelendrez. The collection includes many tree species fromall over the world, including Redwoods, Giant TimberBamboo, Maples, and a Western native sugar maple calledthe Bigtooth Maple (Acer grandidentatum). Michael hasspent the last 26 years using biological restoration tech-niques on the native soils of this site, formerly toxic saline

GGGGAAAARRRRDDDDEEEENNNN PPPPAAAARRRRTTTTYYYYAANNDD OOPPEENN HHOOUUSSEE

The Arboretum Tomé

MAY 3199::3300AAMM--44::3300PPMM

NMED's technical staff did not attend the hearing to tes-tify on the draft rule. The Water Quality ControlCommission (WQCC) approved the rule and accepted theProposed Statement of Reasons submitted by NMED,which was written with substantial help from Freeport-McMoRan. Currently there is a total of over 20,000 acres,about 31 square miles, of polluted ground water atFreeport’s three mines. The new Copper Rule basicallywrites off this area as a sacrifice zone.

The rule explicitly allows pollution of groundwater, whichis illegal under the state Water Quality Act, which requiresthe WQCC to adopt regulations that prevent or abate waterpollution. NM Environmental Law Center (NMELC), GilaResources Information Center (GRIP), and Amigos Bravoshave appealed the decision to the State Court of Appeals.The Court could take a year or more to make a decision.

MORE INFORMATION:bit.ly/1gH3kG2 • bit.ly/1faHe2K

Dairy Rule AmendmentsIn addition to copper mining, the NM Legislature orderednew rules for groundwater discharges by the dairy indus-try. The NMED began holding public meetings and indus-try went to court to block them and lost. The NMEDdeveloped a draft dairy rule based on the fact that at least2/3 of all dairies had already violated groundwater quali-ty standards; industry complained. NMED set up stake-holder meetings with technical staff, industry and envi-ronmental groups, and industry dragged them out. A com-promise dairy rule was submitted to the Richardson admin-istration’s WQCC and approved in December 2010.

aqua es vida May 2014 13

THERE ARE ALWAYS SO MANY DEMANDS ON OUR ATTEN-TION, HERE ARE FOUR ISSUES THAT COULD USE YOUR HELP.

BY MICHAEL JENSEN, AMIGOS BRAVOS, MIDDLE RIO

GRANDE PROJECTS DIRECTOR

Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Radiation LeakExperts assured the public that the WIPP site wouldsecurely hold stored nuclear waste for at least 10,000years. On February 5, a truck delivering inside the repos-itory caught fire and on February 14 a larger radiationleak escaped to the outside, exposing 21 workers on thesurface. Coincidentally, the New Mexico EnvironmentDepartment (NMED) was approving a plan to open theWIPP site to more (and more potent) categories of nuclearwaste. Six weeks after the accidents, inspectors were justbeginning to re-enter the mine and it isn’t clear how muchthey will be able to investigate. Some speculate that therewas a roof collapse, possibly related to nearby frackingactivity, which is cited as the cause of an elevated numberof quakes in the region.

You can contact the Department of Energy (DOE) WIPPInformation Center and tell them not to expand the mis-sion of the existing facility nor create another facilitywith an expanded mission in the vicinity: 800-336-WIPP(9477) / infocntr@wipp.ws.

MORE INFORMATION:bit.ly/1qV1gRo • bit.ly/1ha5I7H

Illegal Copper RuleIn 2009, the New Mexico Legislature mandated that theNMED develop industry-specific rules to prevent waterpollution and protect water quality from groundwaterdischarges by the dairy and copper mining industries.NMED put together an advisory committee of represen-tatives from copper mining company Freeport-McMoRan, public interest groups, and technical expertsto write a draft copper rule.

NMED's upper management overruled the recommenda-tions of the advisory committee and its own staff and sub-mitted a draft copper rule that would allow copper mineoperators to pollute groundwater beneath their facilities.

PROTECT PRECIOUS WATER SUPPLIES

In January 2011, Governor Martinez tried to block the new rule but envi-ronmental organizations sued and the court told her to enforce the rule.Industry then appealed the rule and the court ordered the stakeholders tore-negotiate, which led to a new compromise dairy rule. All parties explic-itly stated that they supported the new rule, which went into effect inJanuary 2012. Industry immediately began private discussions with

NMED’s senior staff about re-writing the rule they had stip-ulated was acceptable.

The dairy industry now wants the same exemption from pollu-tion discharge regulation that the copper industry has beengiven. The NMELC, Sierra Club, Amigos Bravos, and severalcitizens have been working together to oppose this move. TheNMED has suspended enforcement of the dairy rule andstopped issuing new or renewal dairy pollution control permitsuntil after the rule-making hearing, which has been postponedrepeatedly and is now scheduled for November of 2014.

Gila River Diversion PlanThe Gila River was listed in April as one of America's MostEndangered Rivers of 2014 due to the threat of a new waterdiversion. This is the result of a complex agreement regard-

ing water rights of Arizona Native nations—the Arizona WaterSettlement Act (AWSA)—that provides funds to southwestern NM coun-ties to meet water supply needs. The New Mexico Interstate StreamCommission (ISC) is evaluating three diversion projects and 12 non-diversion projects, but it is clear they prefer the diversion projects.

Sportsmen, business, faith-based, recreation and conservation groups havecriticized the project because it makes no economic sense and impacts recre-ation and tourism supported by the Gila River. The Gila supports more than300 species of birds and wildlife and is NM’s last major wild river.

Experts have shown that the diversion is fatally flawed because of engi-neering deficiencies and the large loss of water to leakage and evaporation.The cost of the diversion has risen far above the maximum federal sup-port, putting taxpayers on the hook for $200-$350 million. In testimonyto the Legislature, the Grant County Planner stated that several waterinvestment companies want to create a water management associationthat would combine AWSA money with other public funding to essential-ly privatize the water supply.

On the other hand, conservation measures have already stabilized demandin the area and the non-diversion alternatives will protect the Gila, buildresilience for local water supplies, and save the state millions of dollars.Tell the ISC that New Mexico should focus on water conservation andthat the Gila River should remain a free-flowing river: bit.ly/1ha7pC0.

MORE INFORMATION:Gila Conservation Coalition, www.gilaconservation.orginfo@gilaconservation.org

To help Amigos Bravos continue their important statewide work, goto: www.amigosbravos.org.

BY JANET GREENWALD

On the evening of May 6, the public will have an opportunity tospeak out against unchecked pollution of our air and water bySandia National Laboratories. This public hearing will be held in

conjunction with the State of New Mexico’s process of renewing the permitfor hazardous waste activities at Sandia National Laboratories. Members ofthe community will also be able to voice their opinions during the daytimepart of the hearings on May 5, May 6 and May 7.

Information on the existing and future contamination from the haz-ardous materials activities at Sandia National Labs includes:The latest Annual Sandia Labs Groundwater Monitoring Report shows thatthe amount of contaminants of concern at Tijeras Arroyo (TAG), includingtrichloroethylene (TCE) and nitrate, continues to exceed applicable ground-water protection standards and, at most groundwater sampling sites, is risingabove levels previously detected.

PUBLIC HEARING ON SANDIA LABS HAZARDOUS

MAY DAY! MAY DAY!ACTION ALERT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL

HEALTH!!

YOU MIGHT ASK: What is the extent of TAG contam-ination? Is this a small problem ora large one?

The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease RegistryToxilogical profile for TCE states that, “More and morestudies suggest that more birth defects may occur whenmothers drink water containing TCE.”

At Tijeras Arroyo, where TCE is a contaminant ofconcern, according to SNL, (2009b, p 6-20), 1.3 bil-lion gallons of contaminants have entered Albu-querque's drinking water aquifer.

If water contaminated with TCE reachesour drinking water wells, birth defects can be expected to increase. Sadly, NewMexico and Bernalillo County already suf-fer from elevated birth death rates, accord-ing to the Department of Health.

Sandia National Laboratories and theNew Mexico Environment Departmentmust put the contamination at Tijeras

Arroyo on their front burners; this contamination is a seriousthreat to unborn children and immune compromised peoplewho are already experiencing health effects. SNL and NMEDmust move forward as quickly as possible toward a“corrective measures evaluation” and remediation ofTCE and other contamination of Albuquerque's aquifer.

Thanks to Paul Robinson for providing much of the infor-mation used in the sample testimony included in this article.

HAZARDOUS WASTE PERMIT IN ABQM A Y 6 : P U B L I C H E A R I N G S

actionalert !

The Public hearings on the Sandia National Labs Hazardous WastePermit will be held at the Hotel Cascada located at

2500 Carlisle Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, beginning Monday, May 5, at 9am and continuing as necessary through

Friday, May 16, though there is a good chance that daytime hearings will only continue

through Wednesday, May 7.

On May 6 the public may come to speak at any time during the daybeginning at 9am or in the evening after the afternoon break

starting at 6pm. Please come a bit early to make sure you get onthe schedule to voice your concerns.

For more information, call 505-242-5511.

For more info go to: contactus@cardnm.org

TakeAction forNew Mexico!

Speak Out for the Children May 6!

WASTE PERMIT

LOW PRICES! FREE PARKING! FREE CAMPING! FREEADMITTANCE TO THE BALLOON MUSEUM!

Tim O'Brien with Darrell Scott, Birds of Chicago,Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Spencer and Rains, CanoteBrothers, and Tina Gugeler have all been invitedto perform at the 16th Annual Albuquerque FolkFestival, which presents 100 non-stop events at 14 dif-ferent venues at the Anderson-Abruzzo Albu-querque International Balloon Museum on Saturday,June 7, from 10:30am to 11pm.

Other New Mexican and regional performers includeThe Rifters from Taos, cowboy singer-songwriter Steve Cormier, Felix y los Gatos, Wildewood, the PorterDraw, Breaking Blue, Schlomo and the Adobes (AdobeBrothers). Claire Lynch, twice nominated for theGrammy, is headliner along with Holy Water andWhiskey at a fundraising kick-off concert Friday eveningat the Museum.

Designed to be fully participatory and family-oriented,the Festival presents a myriad of opportunities to learnhow to sing, dance, play instruments, to jam with othermusicians, and simply enjoy the extensive variety ofentertainment offerings. A children’s instrument pettingzoo, and participatory workshops in song, play, dance,and storytelling, offer a full day for the entire family. In2010, the sing-along was inaugurated with a tribute toPete Seeger. With his passing this year, the sing-along willhonor his participatory joyful sharing of song. Localvendors will be available with food and beverages,including coffee and beer from local breweries.

Saturday evening dances include a barn dance and a con-tradance. The Barn Dance Under the Stars features theRifters from Taos (hosted by Albuquerque Dance Club,ADC). The contradance (hosted by FolkMADS) featuresthe award-winning Albuquerque MegaBand. Dance istaught and called by a FolkMADS dance caller.

This year the Folk Fest is at the Anderson-AbruzzoAlbuquerque International Balloon Museum, 9201Balloon Museum Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113.

NEW ALBUQUERQUE RAIL YARDS

MARKETCCCC OOOO MMMM MMMM UUUU NNNN IIII TTTT YYYY CCCC EEEE NNNN TTTT EEEE RRRRAT BARRELAS HISTORIC SITE

On Sunday, May 4, the Rail Yards Market welcomesthe community back to an historic site to interact withall things local. For the past few months, over 50 entre-preneurs, artists, chefs, musicians, dancers and communityenthusiasts have come together to volunteer their ideas, tal-ents, passions and hard work to create an all-inclusive com-munity-driven space in the heart of Barrelas.

The Rail Yards Market will be held each Sunday, May 4 throughNovember 2, from 9am-3pm. For 27 incredible weeks, you will havethe opportunity to engage with community members, local farmerswill bring their produce, chefs will provide mouthwatering regionalfoods, artisans will offer handcrafted creations, vibrant performances,live music and there will be educational learning and family activitiesin a safe and vibrant community gathering place.

The Rail Yards Market will be held every Sunday at First Street andHazeldine in the Old Blacksmith Shop. There is plenty of free park-ing. Come to this fun, educational and delicious community event.To get involved as a sponsor, vendor, volunteer, performer orartisan e-mail: railyardsmarket@gmail.com.

ALL ABOARD! WEEKLY STARTING MAY 4

Turn north off Alameda. There is FREE parking andfree camping with jamming on Friday night, June 6,through noon on Sunday, June 8.

For tickets and more information go to www.abqfolk-fest.org (www.abqfolkfest.org), or call 505-301-2822.Gate price donates $1 to Project Share, a 30-year-oldABQ nonprofit organization serving home cookedmeals to the hungry and homeless, including manyfamilies with children. The Albuquerque Folk Festivalis a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) and 509(a)(2) public char-ity, made possible in part by New Mexico Arts, City ofAlbuquerque Cultural Services Department; BernalilloCounty, Community Services Division; and the FolkMusic and Dance Society (FolkMADS).

community forum May 2014 14

folkfestJUNE

7thFREE PUBLIC

LLEECCTTUURREE::CONNECTING

PEOPLE AND PLACES• LIVABLE, WALKABLE

SANTA FE!

• With DAN BURDEN andROBERT PING

MAY 14, 6PM

WHERE: SANTA FE CONVENTION CENTER Creative Santa Fe and the Metropolitan PlanningOrganization present a public lecture and discus-sion with Dan Burden and Robert Ping of theWalkable and Livable Communities Institute. Thispublic talk is a continuation of Creative Santa Fe’sCONNECT and Walk initiatives—demonstrating sim-ple, affordable, and practical solutions to increasingwalkability, bikeability, and livability in Santa Fe.

THE 16TH ANNUALALBUQUERQUE FOLKFESTIVAL

BY JULIE HIRSHFIELD

The Village of Los Ranchos is proud toannounce the third season of Summer FarmCamp at the Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center.

We invite children currently enrolled in grades K-5 to joinus June 2-27 for a summer of outdoor fun and learning.Campers will experience the connections between grow-ing and eating healthy foods and taking care of our bod-ies and our land.

After a daily morning message, we will prepare a healthysnack and get our bodies moving with yoga poses and fun exercises.Each day of Farm Camp, campers will participate in the process ofraising vegetables, herbs and flowers; from soil preparation, directseeding and transplanting, to watering, weeding, harvesting and, ofcourse, cooking and eating the “fruits of their labor!”

Campers will get down and dirty in our vegetable gardens as theyexplore how a seed turns into a tomato plant and investigate theinsects and other pollinators that live amongst the plants and weeds.They will visit with and learn about farm animals, bake in a solaroven, and learn about the North Valley’s unique ecosystem.

Each day will include rest and relaxation with stories after lunch, andwe’ll mix up the afternoons with theme-specific activities, games,cooking and art!

The 2014 Summer Farm Camp offers four choices of camp themes,including Nature Art and Crafts Camp, Food Science Fun Camp,Lotions and Potions Camp, and Taco Camp. You may register for all,one, or a combination of sessions.

June 2-6: Nature Art and Crafts CampCampers will spend the week foraging for inter-esting items around the property and creatingbeautiful nature-based art and crafts. They willuse vegetables to dye homemade chalk, createpainted masterpieces using dirt, use “found”items to use as weaving looms, and make beauti-ful journals with handmade paper. Campers willcurate an art show and invite their families andfriends to celebrate their artistic accomplishments(complete with homemade food and drinks!) onthe final day of camp.

June 9-13: Food Science Fun CampCampers will enter the fascinating world ofFOOD SCIENCE! They will have firsthandopportunities to witness the magical appeal ofbasic physics and chemistry in the KITCHEN!Campers will make rock crystal candy, sampleand culture bacteria from the kitchen and theirhands, create chocolate slime, develop homemade

invisible ink, and trick their taste buds into tastingsweet when they’ve really consumed some-thing sour by using miraculin (derived fromWest Africa’s miracle fruit). It will be a weekthese campers will never forget!

June 16-20: Lotions and Potions CampCampers will spend the week learning hownatural materials, such as lavender, almond oiland beeswax can be used to make sweet-smelling lotions, lip balms, sunscreen bars andinsect repellents! Campers will make an “up-cycled” t-shirt or jeans tote bag to carry theirhomemade goodies home on the final day ofcamp!

June 23-27: Taco CampCampers will spend the week learning how everypart of a taco is made; they will grind corn andhand make tortillas, harvest tomatoes and peppersto make salsa, try their hands at making homemadecheese, and create tasty guacamole. Campers willassemble a taco bar on the final day of camp andinvite their families to join them at our NewMexican fiesta!

SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER TODAY!For additional information and registrationforms, please visit www.losranchosnm.gov andclick the “Community” tab. You may also call505-344-6582 or email jhirshfield@losranchosnm.gov with questions.

Farm-Fresh is laid out in an easy to read format, andthe book is divided into the different types ofanatomies, such as roots, stalks, ker-nels, pods, crowns, buds, etc. There isa little background on each vegetableor fruit in case you aren’t familiarwith them as well as how to store anduse them (eat raw, steamed, braised,or sautéed) as well as the texture andflavor.

The recipes are great because the intro-duction to each section explains howyou can replace one vegetable with another. Some ofthe recipes include a selection of vegetables from whichyou select two for any given recipe and then experi-ment with mixing and matching.

Recipes vary across a fairly wide ethnicrange and note whether the recipe is veg-etarian or vegan. Even the recipes withmeat in them have suggestions on how tomake the recipe vegetarian or vegan.

So whether you are a local CSA member,plan on making the rounds at the farm-

ers’ market, or hit the produce stand at the Co-op,Farm-Fresh will inspire you with a multitude ofquick and easy recipes to tempt not only yourpalate, but those with more conventional taste buds.Order from your local bookstore today.

EDITED BY ROBIN SEYDEL

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) isgathering information and inputfrom the public about fracking

around Chaco Culture NationalHistorical Park. Oil and gas companiesproposed to drill on 17,000 acres sur-rounding the national park last year.From its ancient Pueblo ruins to its star-filled evening skies, Chaco CulturalNational Historical Park is a vital part ofNew Mexico's natural heritage. Home tothe densest and most exceptional concen-tration of ancient Pueblos in the Southwest, ChacoCanyon National Historical Park is in the heart ofthe Mancos Shale gas drilling area.

Fracking will pollute air and water, and will marthe landscape with rigs, pipelines and the roar ofthousands of truck trips. It will completely alterthe nature of this historic site with its ancientpueblos that are more than a thousand years oldand the sensitive ecosystem surrounding them.

Allowing the oil and gas industry to set up shop onthe doorsteps of our national parks would meanturning priceless parts of our environment intoindustrial zones. Fracking uses billions of gallons

of fresh water, polluting it with benzene andother harmful chemicals. In a single year, frack-ing generated three billion gallons of toxic wastein New Mexico.

Fortunately, leases that wouldallow fracking of BLM landaround Chaco Canyon NationalHistorical Park have been tem-porarily postponed. Now is ourchance to make that permanent.Tell the Bureau of Land Man-agement to keep fracking awayfrom Chaco Canyon.

Environment New Mexico is a statewide, citizen-based environmental advocacy organization.Their professional staff combines independent re-search, practical ideas and tough-minded advoca-cy to overcome the opposition of powerful specialinterests and win real results for New Mexico’senvironment. Environment New Mexico drawson over 30 years of success in tackling our state'stop environmental problems.

For more information and to sign the peti-tion to keep fracking away from Chaco, go towww.environmentnewmexico.org or contactthem at PO Box 40173, Albuquerque, NM87196, 505-254-4819.

REVIEWED BY ANN ADAMS

With the growing season already in full swing in much ofthe state, I have been thinking about the expanded palette offruits and vegetables to turn into meals. Recently I came across

Farm-Fresh and Fast: Easy Recipes and Tips for Making the Most ofFresh, Seasonal Foods and got even more excited about the meals Icould make.

This book was written by the FairShare CSA Coalition out of Madison,Wisconsin, with the idea of helping their CSA members and folks wholike fresh, seasonal food create great meals in a reasonable amount oftime. In fact, the dedication for the book reads: “This book is a labor oflove and, as such, is dedicated to the farmers in our community wholabor over and love our food and land, and the eaters who love ourfarmers and the scrumptious food they produce.” If you have that sen-timent about food and farming, then this book is for you.

BOOK REVIEWFarm-Fresh and Fast: Easy Recipes and Tips for Making the Most of Fresh, Seasonal FoodsBy FairShare CSA Coalition, 2013

TELL THE BLM:KEEP FRACKING AWAY FROMCHACO!

community forum May 2014 15

FARM FOOD FFUUNN!!OUTDOOR FUN FOR KIDS!SUMMERFARM CAMP

FARM-FRESHwill inspire you with a multitude

of QUICK AND EASY RECIPESto tempt your palate!