Farmington Youth Program Receives $50,000 T-Mobile Grant for Food Education Hub

Farmington's 2nd Harvest Enhancement Project secured a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant Tuesday, claiming one of just 25 awards from a field of 900 applicants nationwide, a selection rate of under 3 percent.

The grant, celebrated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 1 at 1961 Positive Way, will fund renovation and programming for a community space built around raised garden beds, a commercial kitchen partnership with a local college, and hands-on training in gardening, culinary skills and entrepreneurship. Youth participants will learn to transform so-called "misfit" produce into prepared meals for distribution to people in need, as well as packaged goods for local farmers markets and the Harvest Food Hub.

Kathy Price wrote the grant application in December. Karen Lupton, Farmington's Main Street coordinator and economic development specialist, provided a letter of support. Shandi Edgar of Edgar Farms was among the farm operators and community health leaders who spoke at the ceremony, which drew members of the Farmington Chamber of Commerce Red Coats and KRWN radio.

Megan Cullip, community health and social services director for San Juan County's Health Care Assistance Program, spoke to the importance of giving young people safe, engaging resources tied to nutrition and outdoor activities.

The programming is designed around practical outcomes: teens and young adults will grow and sell produce, gain real-world business experience, and develop skills that can reduce food waste locally. The site will also host free community classes and partner with local institutions to expand its reach.

The project takes on several intersecting pressures in San Juan County at once, converting excess and imperfect local produce into both nutrition and entrepreneurial opportunity, with prepared foods flowing to partner agencies serving residents with the greatest need.