Soon this teaching program evolved into a unique cooperative program of distributing foods as well as farm produce for the hungry of Santa Fe. Friends of Mr. Stephenson's, and some members of the First Presbyterian Church began helping with some of the harvest. Volunteers, however, were sparse and sporadic and Mr. Stephenson began to question the feasibility of the project. At a Hunger Task Force committee meeting in 1991, John voiced his concerns. All produce from the farm is donated and distributed to over 30 different agencies in Santa Fe that serve the homeless, hungry, disabled, and children in need.
Volunteers are the farm's only labor source.
These farm hands come from all different parts of the Santa Fe community. They are members of churches and other religious organizations, youth groups, students from area schools, after school programs, clients from the agencies we serve, and many other concerned individuals from Santa Fe. Mr. Stephenson farms three acres in garden and two acres in orchard. The garden produces sweet corn, chile, bell peppers, cabbage, broccoli, summer and winter squash and onions. The orchard has more than 60 trees, mostly apple, along with pear, peach, apricot, cherry, and plum.