Desert Forge Foundation

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: DESERT FORGE ADDED TO IT'S PARTNERSHIPS, SUPPORTING 4 VETERAN OWNED/OPERATED FARMS AND 1 FIRST-RESPONDER OWNED FARM, AND 2 ADDITIONAL PARTNER FARMS AND AGRICULTURAL-BASED BUSINESSES WITH NEARLY 2000 VOLUNTEER HOURS PROVIDED FOR PARTNER FARM ACTIVITIES. IN ADDITION, DFF BEGAN A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL JR. ROTC PROGRAM, THE SCHOOL ON WHEELS SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAM, AND THE EXPLORA FARM CAMP HOSTED BY THE VILLAGE OF LOS RANCHOS, PROVIDING OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AND CURRICULUM INSTRUCTION. DESERT FORGE FOUNDATION'S WARRIOR FARMER PROJECT BEGAN A LONG-TERM LEASE WITH THE RIO GRANDE COMMUNITY FARM IN NOVEMBER 2019 WHICH WILL PROVIDE PROGRAM CONTINUITY AND SUPPORT, 3+ DEDICATED ACRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND AT A BETTER LEASE RATE, SAVING DFF PROGRAM FUNDS, WHILE PROVIDING A FOUNDATIONAL ASSET TO BUILD UPON. DESERT FORGE PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT FOR 5 VETERANS, WITH PAYROLL PAID TO VETERANS INCREASING YEAR OVER YEAR MORE THAN 50%. PROGRAMMING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WARRIOR FARMER PROJECT BROUGHT IN MORE THAN 35 CONSISTENT VOLUNTEERS, MORE THAN HALF OF WHOM ARE EITHER VETERANS OR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS. IN 2019 DESERT FORGE HIRED A 3/4 TIME OPERATIONS DIRECTOR WHO HAS BEEN ABLE TO DEEPEN CONNECTIONS, BUILD PARTNERSHIPS, SECURE FUNDING, AND BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL PROFESSIONALISM FOR THE FOUNDATION.