Who We Are & Our Great Work


The Sanctuary at ABQ is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, operating in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

Our projects and outreach programs are designed to alleviate the food insecurity challenges within the state.

Our goal is to grow affordable locally produced organic foods for our marketplace, incorporating traditional practices with sustainable technologies. One example of a sustainable process is Aquaponics. A typical soil-less Aquaponic farming system requires only about one-tenth of the water that would normally be used in a typical in-ground process. Such systems meet the increased demand for those that seek natural, nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables.  Such projects would thrive in dense, heavily populated communities.  Incorporated with Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA), we have the “sanctuary” and the capability to consistently grow quality produce on a year-round basis.

 

The Sanctuary at ABQ currently has three integrative areas of outreach.  Education, Therapeutics, and Social Enterprise.

 

Our primary initiative promotes Aquaponics and incorporates STEM-based programs within school environments.  Currently we are operating a 980 square foot Aquaponics Learning Laboratory at the Washington Middle School in Albuquerque. The laboratory also doubles as our base to hold workshops on Aquaponics for the greater community.  Our initial After-School Program is designed to teach students how to grow food through Aquaponics, incorporating STEM-based knowledge into current school curriculum. The students that participate in our after-school program can take as much produce home with them as needed.  The excess produce has been donated to needy families and given to friends and family. We intend to transition into a social enterprise where produce can be sold to institutions and directly to consumers.

   

 
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Aquaponics and STEM Based Curriculum

The Sanctuary at ABQ promotes Aquaponics and STEM based programs within schools.

Such programs are proven to provide numerous benefits for student participants.

  1. Improved student attendance and participation

  2. Improved math and science test scores

  3. Introduction to environmental engagement

  4. Interactive and immersive, offering variety and project-based learning opportunities within current curriculum.

  5. Introduction to learning the intrinsic skill of growing food

  6. Improved creativity and problem solving

  7. Opportunity to develop team building and community resiliency

  8. Introductory access to nutrition and organic foods.

Our pilot project at Washington Middle School in Albuquerque, is an Aquaponics Learning Laboratory.  The facility is designed to teach students how to grow food through Aquaponics, while incorporating STEM-based knowledge into current curriculum.  Visit our "Projects" page for more details regarding this program.