Ogallala Commons, a nonprofit education and leadership organization (www.ogallalacommons.org), has been assisting local food producers and educating consumers to reinvigorate regional food systems since 2011.  Ogallala Commons initiated Rebuilding the Arkansas Valley Foodshed (RAVF) in 2019 to raise public awareness, offer tools to growers, and increase access for consumers for locally grown food in the seven counties of Southeast Colorado (Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, and Prowers counties). RAVF is part of Ogallala Commons overall program to rebuild local food systems (see overview map at www.myfoodshed.org) and is also part of OC’s regional initiative, Grow SECO (www.growseco.org).

 

The purpose of myfoodshed.org/arkansas-valley is to feature information about growing, purchasing, cooking, and celebrating locally produced food in the Arkansas Valley Foodshed region of Southeast Colorado—one of the most productive agricultural regions in the U.S. We will also offer ideas and educational tools for consumers to obtain fresh, nutrient-dense food that comes from our region—informing readers about where to find local food producers, how to grow food through gardens and to preserve seasonal food, and how to prepare savory dishes (from various cultures)—all made from food grown in the Arkansas Valley Foodshed.

Growing, preserving, and consuming local food can strengthen communities and improve economic, ecological, social, and spiritual health. We hope you will join us on this journey—and invite your friends and neighbors to come along, too.