GrowRaton

06/12/2026

Learn the Basics of GIS with NCNMEDD!

Join us July 14-15 at Luna Community College in Las Vegas, NM, for a hands-on introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

This two-day workshop will cover the fundamentals of GIS, including how to create and manage points, lines, and polygons on a map, as well as how to use Field Maps to collect and update data remotely in the field.

🗓️ Day 1: Classroom instruction
🗓️ Day 2: Field-based learning

GIS is a powerful tool used in planning, transportation, environmental management, public health, and more. Whether you’re new to GIS or looking to build foundational skills, this workshop is a great opportunity to learn practical mapping techniques.

✅ Free for NCNMEDD members and the RTPO communities we serve.

06/02/2026

Find Out What's Cooking! Big Ideas. Historic Space. Local Opportunity.

Join us at The Hub, 300 S 3rd St, Raton, on Tuesday, 6/16/26, and get an inside look at GrowRaton's exciting plans to transform a historic landmark into a launchpad for food businesses and community growth!

Doors open at 5:15 pm, presentation starts promptly at 5:30 pm and wraps up about 6:30 pm.

All are welcome but we are especially eager to greet our restaurateurs, caterers, bakers, jam & jelly makers, mobile food vendors, food truckers, food cart sellers, gardeners, growers, farmers, ranchers, and any other culinary businesses and aspiring food entrepreneurs.

06/01/2026

What a great show last night from The Flyin' A's!

Thank you to everyone who came out for the tunes and to cheer them on. Thank you too for helping us with a our fundraiser!

If you missed the show, you can get a teaser here: https://youtu.be/qN8FZ3Ee3O4

Big thanks to our volunteers: Corey Alexander, Divinnie Lynch, and Sandra Young!

Nyd de videoer og den musik, du holder af, upload originalt indhold, og del det hele med venner, familie og verden på YouTube.

05/29/2026

Coming to Raton this Saturday! The Flyin' A's
WHEN: 5/30/26 TIME: 6:30-8:30p (doors open at 5:30p)
WHERE: The Hub, 300 S 3rd St, Raton, NM
WHAT: Live Music! Americana with a Texas Kick!!
Admission: $10 (recommended)
Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJy4I3JrvXM

Pictured: Hillary and Stewart of The Flyin' A's at The Hub last December 2025.

05/29/2026

Attn: Manufacturers. You are invited!
Thursday, 7/16/26, from 8a-5p GrowRaton will host the Fundamentals of Lean Manufacturing workshop presented by the New Mexico MEP (Manufacturing Extension Partnership) at The Hub, 300 S 3rd Street, Raton, NM.

Learn how to streamline your processes and cut the waste!
Lunch provided, but seats are limited! So, register soon!!

The class is $400, but the cost is waived for New Mexico manufacturers!

For details and registration, email Linda Gruber at [email protected] or call 505-314-9124.

Who is a "manufacturer"?
Caterers and others who make & package foods for sale offsite, Brewers and other beverage makers, Wood/Forestry, those making products in a laboratory, Recycling, Coffee Roasters that package & sells their beans offsite or to other businesses, Furniture Makers, and others!

05/28/2026

Friends! This Saturday, GrowRaton is thrilled to welcome back The Flyin’ A’s to play at The Hub. Here's a little music sample on what you might hear.

When: Saturday, May 30th
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm (doors open at 5:30P)
Admission: $10.00

Don't miss this duo and their Americana with a Texas kick!

The Flyin' A's perform their original country song, "So Long".

05/24/2026

Let's get ready to welcome our Philmont Scout Ranch staffers and campers. See details below for this unique vendor opportunity!

Each year Philmont welcomes around 1,300 seasonal staff to operate our summer youth programs, making Philmont the top employer in northeast NM. These staff live, eat, and work at Philmont, and are eager to get out, connect with the community, and explore local businesses.

As we get ready to welcome these staff later this month, we would like to extend an invitation to your business to meet them during Philmont’s local Business Vendor Fair on May 29th from 4pm-6pm.

Attendance is free, but RSVP is required. Philmont will provide a 6’ or 8’ table for each business to set up on. Vendors are welcome to arrive as early as 3:30pm to set up. We will also be providing dinner from the dining hall for those in attendance.

If you are interested in attending, please email Ryan Jackson at [email protected] or call the Cimarron Visitor Center at 575-376-2417 by 3pm on May 27th, with the following information.

🔺The name of your business (as you would like the staff to know it)
🔺The name and mobile phone number for a point of contact that will be in attendance.
🔺If you will be eating dinner, any dietary restrictions our dining hall staff should be aware of.
🔺Any special requests for your table setup (we’re limited due to location, but we will do the best we can)

Thank you, and we hope to see you join us at Philmont next week!”

-Ryan Jackson

05/20/2026

First and foremost, I want to give a shoutout and big thank you to all our members. Your support allows GrowRaton to not only keep the lights (and heat!) on and provide a public meeting space but also allows us to buy materials for our ribbon-cutting ceremonies and entrepreneur trainings. Your support also helps us work toward our goal of building out a shared commercial kitchen for the community.

Second, I want to give a huge thank you to our board members: Shayne Young, Brandy Dietz, Dr. Loretta Conder, and Jason Bennett, for putting in the work (planning, outreach, organizing, support, and ex*****on) to make things happen all while in the midst of running their own businesses!

Third, I would be remiss if I didn’t call out and thank our volunteers for helping with the door during events, decorations during the holidays, setting up snacks, holding the camera and the ribbon, and more. Thank you to Leonore Barfield, Sandra Young, Shauna Wells, Corey Armstrong, and others.

Finally, our 2026 members are listed below with links to their pages (for those who have one). See them also listed on our website: https://www.growraton.org/about-us/contributors. Please shop their stores, eat and drink at their restaurants, use their services, and refer their businesses!

Alpha Design (https://alphadesignarchitects.com)
Dr. Loretta Conder
Raton Pass Motor Inn
111 Park Espresso Bar
Arthur Rolloff Inc
Arthur Insurance
Carl Swanson New Mexico Art Gallery
Consultants for Children, Inc. (Raton PTO)
Cunico Tire Co., Inc.
Ex-El Trailer Court
JAG’s Red Carpet RV Park LLC
Park Avenue Insurance
Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy (www.ratonphysicaltherapy.com)
Raton Adventure Centre
Raton Small Engine Repair
Pappas' Sweet Shop Restaurant

05/13/2026

Thank you to the New Mexico Economic Development Department for the 2026 Healthy Foods Financing Fund (HFFF) Technical Assistance Grant!

We at GrowRaton feel so fortunate and thankful to be part of this imporatant program. The funds and techical assistance awarded us are helping our organization work through the necessary pre-development tasks that are vital to a successful program.

We are looking forward to completing our planning and pre-development stage and heading into the next phase of development!

Read about the 2026 HFFF Grant receipeints here: https://www.edd.newmexico.gov/grants/healthy-food-financing-fund/fy-2026-hfff-awardees/