They learned new gardening techniques, such as planting marigolds to deter pests, and learned about the community’s history. For Victoria Lovato, a high school junior, agriculture was a familiar subject, but working on the O’Keeffe property was a unique opportunity. “Instead of being like every other kid who worked at a restaurant this summer, I got to work at a historical site,” she said last fall at a celebration dinner at the garden to commemorate the year’s work. “It felt like being in a time capsule.” “We’re always trying to show aspects of O'Keeffe’s life,” said Carolyn Kastner, curator at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, during last fall’s dinner. “To bring this garden to life is so great!” From July through September—the months the students were on grounds—the garden produced close to one ton of beets, melons, greens, eggplants, chile, squash, and more, says Mollie Parsons, education director at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden. The garden continued to produce through November and netted three hundred fifty pounds for the Food Depot, which delivered the produce to families in the Abiquiu region. Parsons is gearing up for a second season and is happy to have a lot of the initial challenges worked out. “It’s nice to have done it once and know that it works!” she says. For last year’s program, she and adult volunteers researched how O’Keeffe arranged the garden, but the environment has changed since the artist last tended the soil. For instance, trees have grown taller and throw shade where sun used to shine. Now, with a lot of the major considerations ironed out, Parsons says they will fine-tune the system. She hopes to expand the program further this year. She’s brought on Francesca Davies, a landscape architect and long-time volunteer to help operate the program. Students came to the garden once a week last year. Having an additional adult leader this year allows the cohort to visit twice as often. If funding comes through, Parsons hopes to double the number of student participants, possibly drawing individuals from Espanola. She invites junior and senior high school students from Abiquiu, Espanola, and Ojo Caliente to get in touch to find out more, and she welcomes more adult volunteers with gardening experience. “We can use as much volunteer help as we can get,” she says. It’s not for everyone, though—unless you live nearby, getting to the garden is a trek, and cell phone service is limited at the historic house. But for Parsons, that’s one of the benefits. “You have to pay attention to the little things,” she says. “It’s meditative.” Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio Tours Abiquiu, 505-946-1098, www.okeeffemuseum.org
ALBUQUERQUE 3403 Central NE • 266-7855 10701 Coors Blvd. NW • 899-7500 11225 Montgomery NE • 271-0882 321 West San Francisco, Santa Fe • 986-8700
Raaga (“sweet melody”) prides itself on offering superior taste and flavor. With each mouthwatering bite, guests can distinguish and savor the finest spices and the freshest herbs. New Indian Tapas Lunch starting at $4.95 Many vegan and gluten-free option • Beer & Wine
Monday − Saturday: 12:00pm to 9:00pm
544 Agua Fria Rd, Santa Fe • 505-820-6440 • raagacuisine.com Free parking at Sambusco Center
WWW.EDIBLESANTAFE.COM
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