Commission approves VCAN community-gardens agreement and a $998,880 NMFA solar grant application for the 13th Judicial Courthouse

Valencia County commissioners on April 15 approved a memorandum of agreement with the Valencia Community Action Network (VCAN) to revive community gardens at the El Cerro and Meadowlake community centers, and they approved a resolution authorizing submission of a $998,880 application to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s Local Solar Access Fund to install a solar photovoltaic system and battery storage at the 13th Judicial Courthouse.

Claudia Vargas, vice president of VCAN, described plans to staff gardens with community volunteers, partner with Head Start and senior programs, and integrate food distribution and cooking/preserving courses. “We currently host two food distributions ... and with that we hope to also extend to the gardens where we have seen a lot of interest from the community,” Vargas said.

County staff said the MOA provides county property and water while VCAN will provide volunteers and programming; legal staff reviewed a formal agreement in advance and VCAN had already signed the draft. Commissioners lauded the partnership and approved the MOA by voice vote.

Separately, staff explained that county Public Works and GRAMA personnel had prepared an application to the New Mexico Finance Authority’s Local Solar Access Fund requesting $998,880 to add a solar PV system and battery energy storage system at the 13th Judicial Courthouse. The commission voted to approve submission of the completed application and execute the required signed resolution so the NMFA will accept the application.

Both items passed on unanimous voice votes. Staff said the gardens are expected to provide educational programming and increased fresh food distribution in Meadowlake and El Cerro, and the NMFA application will proceed following the required signed resolution and application review.