The New Mexico Centennial Foundation, in partnership with the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, selected Torres Elementary for a five-thousand dollar grant for their Centennial Garden of Hope, an area where students, staff and community will work to enhance educational opportunities and inspire healthy lifestyles through garden education.
The Torres Elementary theme focuses on the history of New Mexico and includes symbols, art and produce that represents the state and region.
The garden includes a compost area, fruit and nut trees, and 24 individual raised beds that will allow each classroom teacher at the school to have his or her own garden bed.
The Torres Elementary Centennial Garden of Hope was one of eight projects selected from 113 grant applications from every corner of the state. To be eligible for a Centennial Garden grant, the applicants had to be a nonprofit community organization or school developing or maintaining a garden project encouraging the growing and harvesting of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The grants are funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation and U-S Bank.