ARCA Organics celebrates rejuvenation of pathway

Corrales' ARCA Organics celebrated the revitalizing of some of its gardens June 12 with a ribbon cutting.

Executive Director and Chief Development Office ARCA Foundation Michele Cody says the area cleaned up by Leadership Sandoval Project's Ream Pivot was overrun by weeds, mulch and more.

"There's no weeds!" she exclaimed happily at Wednesday's event.

The point of the project was to give access to the blackberries and apples growing on the edge of the property. Team Pivot also brought in help from Red Shovel to landscape the grounds outside the fence. Donations from landscaping companies helped them with the project.

However, Cody says even though the weeds are gone, it will need maintenance.

The leader for Team Pivot, DeeVonda Batres, said the work began back in September.

"I came out here and met with Michele, and we learned about what we could help with. What we learned was as much as Corrales is a community and Sandoval County is a community, Michele really, really wanted to have a community spot for Corrales — some place that she could welcome neighbors and other people from within the community to come pick apples, access the blackberries and really just come feel like this is a welcoming place. How else do you do that but have a nice welcome mat?" she said.

She added that the project grew into a larger project.

"But that's why we named ourselves Team Pivot, because from the beginning, we've had to pivot. We pivoted our name, we pivoted losing a team member and really just adjusted to the needs of ARCA. What we came collectively as professionals to present we couldn't have done it without each other and without the help of community," she said.

ARCA Organics will continue to reach out to the community. Cody told Team Pivot, Red Shovel and everyone else how much the project meant to her.

"It is no small thing," she said.