The future of La Boca is uncertain

I was one of 20 satisfied families who bought a CSA share from La Boca this year.  I just got this email from La Boca staff.  Read below about the local farm's difficult legal struggles:


Dear Members and Supporters,
 
Thank you for your support of La Boca Center for Sustainability (LBCS) this past year. With your help LBCS has accomplished its goals for 2009. With over 1000 visitors to the farm throughout the growing season, LBCS staff has worked hard to provide educational experiences to the public while bringing awareness to the importance of nurturing a strong local food system.
 
In 2009 LBCS effectively implemented a CSA program for 20 families, provided high quality produce to Zia Taqueria, Cocina Linda, Cyprus Café, Seasons, Bread, Kennebec Café, Nature’s Oasis, Durango Natural Foods Co-op, Roots Natural Foods, Southern Ute Indian Schools, as well as the Durango and Ignacio Farmer’s Markets. Educational partnerships with Durango Nature Studies, Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, Fort Lewis College, Master Gardeners, and many more have provided hundreds of people direct experience with our land stewardship methods.
 
In spite of these successes, the future of LBCS is in grave doubt.
 
LBCS was created by the vision of Roy Craig, who placed the ranch and other assets in trust, mandating a 15-year lease to LBCS to prove its viability. At the end of the15 years, LBCS could inherit the ranch and other assets. Unfortunately, the trustees of the Roy Craig trust have terminated our lease and may disperse the trust assets, including La Boca Ranch, to the trust beneficiaries.  The situation is complex, but to secure a future for LBCS, we now must argue in court that dissolution of the trust is unwarranted.  For further information click here.

The Board of Directors and staff believe that LBCS is a vital agricultural resource for this community but we need your help to continue our mission. Please consider supporting LBCS with a generous donation. Our legal defense is relying on these donations-we don’t have enough money to fight for what’s right without your help. Acting through our fiscal sponsor, the San Juan RC&D allows your donation to be tax deductible. Attached is a donation form for your convenience. Please make your check payable to “San Juan RC&D” (be sure to write La Boca donation in the memo). Your generosity and continued support is greatly appreciated.

Click here to renew membership or make a tax deductible donation.
To meet our immediate need, contributions should be received by December 18, 2009.
 
 
Respectfully yours,
 
 
LBCS Staff and Board of Directors