Farm-to-Table Series Builds Career Skills for Questa Youth

Youth participating in Cultivo’s agriculture program gain hands-on experience growing food but have had limited exposure to the business, marketing, and design skills needed to bring locally grown products to market. So, a Cultivo team member reached out to LOR with an idea: engage young people in Questa to plan, promote, and host a series of 10–12 farm-to-table cooking sessions. Through this process, participants will gain hands-on experience across multiple career pathways—including culinary arts, graphic design, marketing, and entrepreneurship—while helping build a lasting identity for youth-grown agriculture in Questa. LOR funding will support pantry staples and cooking equipment for the sessions; youth stipends for meal preparation and event coordination; apprenticeships with a local graphic designer to develop labels, packaging, apparel, and market materials; and 4–6 volunteer farm days and shared community meals. Ultimately, the project will strengthen connections to local food, deepen workforce readiness, and help ensure Cultivo’s growing impact is visible and supported throughout the community for years to come.