A helping hand

Montezuma School to Farm partnered with First Southwest Bank in Cortez for a fundraiser Friday. The bank provided free burgers and matched donations, helping to raise $1,000. Americorp is helping out more this year with the school gardening program thanks to a three-year grant from La Puenta, in Alamosa. Americorp volunteers will be spending 40 hours per week teaching gardening to students in Dolores, Mancos, and at Kemper and Cortez Middle School. The program hopes to expand to Mesa and Manaugh schools next year. From left are garden coordinator Danyell Mezzanatto, and Americorp volunteers Sarah Smeltz, Hannah Hall, and Patrick Alford.