Soil to Soul: Hands in the Dirt and Joy in the Harvest
Imagine if clients could grow their own herbs and vegetables and share them with others, Adult Services Program Director Nanette Martinez thought out loud. Picturing the adults enrolled in Day Services designing and planting their own garden and the eventual harvest of sweet-smelling basil and the delight of bright red cherry tomatoes in their hands, Nanette, who is rarely daunted by planning, made the idea into a reality.
In partnership with local Grow Y’Own proprietor Ken Kuhne, Adult Services staff and individuals assisted with the placement of four raised garden beds in the backyard of the Española Las Cumbres Adult Services building. Today, these beds are spilling over with edible greenery, and no one is happier than Nanette and her dedicated team. With nearly 18 years of experience, supervisor Kuhne has devoted himself to building and installing garden beds and hoop houses. Grow Y'own has achieved remarkable milestones, completing over 2,000 installations in Santa Fe and elsewhere in the state. Their unique multiple-cover system is the only one of its kind in the U.S., showcasing their expertise in cultivating food and empowering every satisfied client with that knowledge.
Las Cumbres’ Soil to Soul project began in early May 2025, igniting a journey of growth and transformation. Kuhne’s dedicated team crafted raised bed structures complete with built-in hoops and covers for spring and winter, ensuring success every season. After filling the beds with nourishing soil, Adult Service clients planted seedlings that would flourish. Twenty passionate Adult Service individuals and staff came together, making meaningful contributions at every stage, embodying the spirit of collaboration and achievement. By August, the landscape was transformed with an abundant harvest of lettuce, tomatoes, basil, squash, various chards, kale, arugula, spinach, and caramel lettuces, including Marshall Red romaine.
Las Cumbres Adult Service programs continually cultivate inclusion for clients in Northern New Mexico. The diverse range of activities encourages independence and creates natural supports for health and well-being. The remarkable Soil to Soul garden project stands as a vibrant oasis, offering adults a plethora of opportunities to cultivate self-determination and foster greater independence. This initiative not only encourages physical engagement with the earth but also nurtures mental well-being, providing a refreshing space where individuals can flourish and experience the joys of nature. Through hands-on gardening activities, participants will discover the therapeutic benefits of tending to the land, ultimately enhancing their overall quality of life.
“Gardening is the art of grounding the soul”, exclaimed Nanette, “each seedling reminding us that growth, mental health, and peace all begin with tending to the earth beneath our feet.”
