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Big Jim Farms details AgriNature Center partnership, program reach and costs to Los Ranchos trustees
Summary
Big Jim Farms reported on a pilot season at the village AgriNature Center, saying 1,400 students attended field trips, 1,600 workshop participants engaged, and the farm covered labor and operating costs while paying the village $7,500 for space; trustees discussed expanding school partnerships and events.
Roxanne Wagner and a co-presenter from Big Jim Farms told the Los Ranchos Board of Trustees the family-run operation grew a variety of crops on about three-quarters of an acre at the village's AgriNature Center and used the harvest for workshops, classes and farmers-market sales.
"We grew 13 varieties of peppers and a diversity of crops to support hands-on education," Roxanne Wagner said, describing workshops (salsa-making, tamale-making, flower arranging), school field trips and market sales. Presenter Chantelle said the farm hosted more than 1,400 students for field trips and about 1,600 workshop and class participants in 2024, including visitors from beyond APS.
Financial details presented to the board: Big Jim Farms reported roughly 1,900 labor hours, paid staff at $16–$25 per hour, labor costs around $51,000 for the season, and a $7,500 fee paid to the village for use of the AgriNature Center. The farm said the village received 10% of net sales for the season and that surplus produce was donated to families in need.
Trustees thanked the presenters and discussed possible village partnerships, including expanding agricultural programming into schools and leveraging the Main Street program to support small farmers. Trustee Kiefer encouraged exploring business partnerships and suggested linking the farm into Main Street events and an identity-based festival. Trustee Radovich and others proposed the village look for ways to support small farmers and recruit volunteer help while recognizing water availability and land constraints.
Why it matters: Village leaders framed the AgriNature Center programming as both cultural preservation and a potential economic-development tool; trustees asked staff to explore deeper collaborations with local schools and Main Street initiatives and to consider how village resources — particularly water rights — could support agricultural programming.
Next steps: Trustees and staff agreed to continue discussions on expanding school partnerships and to coordinate with the farm on opportunities such as a village-specific chili festival and Main Street outreach. Separately, administration briefed trustees on a prospective water-rights purchase and lease options to secure irrigation for the AgriNature Center.
