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ARCA Organics grows wheatgrass for pets as well as for humans at La Paloma Greenhouses in Corrales.
CORRALES — A nonprofit organic growing operation in Corrales is expanding its produce offerings thanks to a $47,750 grant from Public Service Company of New Mexico.
The money will enable ARCA to rehabilitate an apple orchard on a 4.5-acre parcel of farmland in Corrales that they lease for $1 a year from former resident Bob Scanlon, who has moved to California.
“It was a dream come true,” said ARCA Foundation Executive Director Michele Cody.
She said the trees in the orchard on the Scanlon land were about 75 years old and in need of pruning and other care.
ARCA was founded in 1957 to help people with developmental disabilities. For more than 10 years it has been providing job opportunities through gardening activities.
The organization received certification as an organic grower by the New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission for the wheatgrass crop it sells to local pet businesses and juice stores and now the majority of its crops are certified organic.
The variety of crops grown at its La Paloma Greenhouses in Corrales and the Scanlon acreage now includes blackberries, tomatoes, garlic, herbs and chiles, Cody said.
ARCA sells its produce to about 20 businesses, including Clark’s Pet Emporium in Albuquerque and Enchantment Pet Resort in Rio Rancho, Keva Juice, Farm and Table restaurant, Village Pizza in Corrales and Intel’s catering company.
— This article appeared on page 11 of the Albuquerque Journal
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