HESPERUS ~ HESPERUS - On the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera visited the Team Up AmeriCorps Farmers-in-Training (FIT) Program at the Old Fort in Hesperus, Colorado to commemorate the National Day of Service and Remembrance. During her visit, Lt. Governor Primavera met with AmeriCorps members who are working to strengthen food security in Southwest Colorado. She also volunteered alongside the team in honor of the Day of Service.

Expressing her admiration for the program, Lt. Governor Primavera said, "It was amazing to see the Team Up AmeriCorps Farmer in Training program in action at the Old Fort. These AmeriCorps members get hands-on professional development all while they support people and communities in rural Colorado." She also noted that it was fitting for her visit to fall on September 11th as it is a day dedicated to turning a tragic event into positive impact for communities.

The FIT program is part of a national service network administered by Serve Colorado, which is housed in the Office of the Lt. Governor. Serve Colorado partners with AmeriCorps and local organizations to address pressing challenges across the state and empower individuals to serve while also developing critical workforce skills. Last year alone, Serve Colorado had 1,221 members serving across 38 programs. The FIT program specifically focuses on supporting youth and families in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, and San Juan counties.

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Lynn Urban, Chief Executive Officer of Team Up AmeriCorps expressed her gratitude for working with Lt. Governor's office and Serve Colorado for over eight years to support more than 100 AmeriCorps members in their service to Southwest Colorado's youth, families, and those in need.

The FIT program operates on land that was previously used for the Fort Lewis Federal Indian Boarding School in partnership with Fort Lewis College. The Old Fort and Fort Lewis College have committed to reconciling the history of the land by developing programs and opportunities for Native and Indigenous students and community members to connect with the land and traditional agricultural practices. These include the FIT program and Blue Corn Planting & Harvest, which have inspired many students to return to their Tribal lands and start agricultural businesses or other projects that benefit their communities.

Fort Lewis College President Heather Shotton emphasized the importance of turning remembrance into action on the National Day of Service. She said, "The work of our Farmer in Training participants reflects that spirit. They are learning Indigenous traditional agricultural practices and gaining hands-on skills they can take back to their own communities, strengthening food resilience across our region."

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Since 2023, FIT members have led farm tours for nearly 100 middle school students, partnered with the La Plata Family Center Coalition's garden education program, supported Manna Soup Kitchen and Fort Lewis College's Grub Hub pantry, and served hundreds of clients through SNAP outreach and Good Samaritan's Food Pantry.

FIT program manager Emily Bell shared her excitement about Lt. Governor Primavera's visit, saying, "Every day, I get to see firsthand the impact our Farmer in Training program has not only on members but also in our community. They are supplying produce to food pantries, leading SNAP outreach, and starting their own agricultural projects after completing the program."

In conclusion, Lt. Governor Primavera's visit highlighted the important work being done by AmeriCorps members through programs like FIT to support communities in need while also developing valuable skills for themselves. On this National Day of Service and Remembrance, it is a reminder that even in challenging times, positive impact can be made through service to others.

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