Earth Mountain Education Farm

Background Statement

Earth Mountain Education Farm (EMEF) was founded in 2004 to provide experiential enrichment opportunities that encourage self-awareness, social responsibility and stewardship. The 480- acre outdoor education center and permaculture farm serves Las Animas County, Southeastern Colorado region, as well as all Coloradans. Our priority is on youth and families who are marginalized due to low income, disability, or systemic conditions. EMEF focuses on offering dynamic opportunities through classes, internships, field trips and the creation of community-driven projects that bring about food security and systemic change. Programs are designed to be constituent-led, giving voice and leadership to our community to better themselves. Our focuses align with the Youth and Wellbeing funding goals of serving youth ages 9-25 in that we offer prevention programs in a variety of ways that guide youth toward building healthy relationships and positive behaviors. For over 20 years EMEF has been empowering youth through outdoor prevention programs in partnership with agencies such as L.A County Health Department, Health Solutions, Crossroads and L.A County District Attorney office. Historic projects include “The Living Classroom” at Trinidad High School created in 2011 and “The Good Food Project”, a 3-acre community farm that ran from 2014-2021. Our overarching goal is to assist families in building strong community resiliency, self-sufficiency, and healthy habits. EMEF’s current community farms, The Trinidad Community Garden and The Cedar Street Discovery Park in Trinidad, CO provide youth and families food access, social networks, and an inclusive youth-centered safe space. Our goals, as it pertains to this funding opportunity, are to strengthen and increase participation in our proven youth prevention programs. Our unique approach to intervention supports Caring for Colorado’s guiding principles through our internships and outdoor programs. Individually-tailored internships give an alternative to conventional mental health therapies, lessening stigma and the reluctance of youth to receive help. Another stand-out in EMEF’s dynamic approach is that our three venues offer youth social connection, sense of belonging, and purpose in stewarding these community enrichment spaces.