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San Juan County Extension reports expanded youth programs, new grants and farm partnerships
Summary
County Cooperative Extension staff told the Board of County Commissioners about expanded 4‑H enrollment, workforce and farm programs, a $960,000 agricultural restoration grant and a pilot produce‑prescription program tied to San Juan Regional Hospital.
Bonnie Hopkins Byers, San Juan County program director for Cooperative Extension, updated the Board of County Commissioners on the office’s annual work including farm training, 4‑H activities and community partnerships.
The report highlighted several large grants and outreach efforts that Extension staff said expanded services across the county. “I am the county program director for the extension office as well as the adult agricultural agent,” Hopkins Byers told commissioners as she introduced staff and the written annual report distributed to the board.
Extension staff described a $960,000 agricultural restoration grant to train new farmers and support workforce development in San Juan County, a $150,000 Kellogg Foundation award for an indigenous youth entrepreneurship program (called RIOT in the presentation), and a pilot fruit‑and‑vegetable prescription program for the bariatric center at San Juan Regional Hospital. The presentation said the latter paired local food access with nutrition classes and cooking demonstrations, and staff said a second phase is planned.
The Growing Forward Farm was a focal point of the report. Hopkins Byers and agents said the farm hosted school tours, workforce‑development activities and 4‑H events. Extension staff reported 749 fourth‑grade school tour participants last year and said they expect similar numbers during Earth Week this year. The presentation listed 373 4‑H members, 84 adult volunteers and about 1,250 school‑enrichment contacts; staff said the county supports 20 traditional 4‑H clubs and an after‑school 4‑H program at the Farmington Boys & Girls Club.
On adult programming, Extension’s agricultural work included 15 on‑farm food‑safety workshops and one‑on‑one consultations to help producers qualify for the state’s Approved Supplier Program, which Extension staff said is required for institutions buying local food. Agents also reported tree‑care and brush‑management training, new farmer training participants who sold at farmers markets, and work with the Aztec ROTC and high‑school interns on farm projects.
Family and consumer science activities were also noted: Rick Griffiths, family and consumer science agent, led canning classes and stress‑management programs and served as national president of the Family and Consumer Science Association in 2024, the presentation said. ICAN educator Jamie Ortiz (SNAP‑Ed program administered by New Mexico State University) was credited with classroom food‑exposure activities that staff said produced measurable increases in students’ willingness to try new foods.
Hopkins Byers and staff said Extension will continue efforts to expand outreach to Navajo Nation schools and to secure funding for bus transportation that supports bringing reservation students to the farm. Commissioners praised the programs and asked about funding for school tours; staff said existing funding for bus transport has expired but that they have funds for this year and are seeking sponsors to sustain the trips.
The presentation and annual report were submitted for information; no formal board action was required.
Looking ahead, Extension said it will continue Growing Forward Farm events, summer activity camp and workforce internships, and will provide the board with further updates and grant outcomes when available.
