lystn

TOPICFood Justice and Self-Empowerment IN THIS EPISODE[01:35] Justin Garoutte is introduced. [01:57] Justin describes where the Conejos Land Grant Region is and why it is important. [03:05] Justin tells who predominately lives in the region now. [03:25] Justin shares his background and how he came to be the Executive Director of Conejos Clean Water. [04:36] Is food justice and food security a big issue in this region? [05:37] Justin relays how receptive people are to growing their own food. [06:24] Justin talks about the Conejos Clean Water organization and its background. [07:36] Justin speaks of the things that he’s currently working on. [10:01] How is Conejos Clean Water funded? [10:41] Justin discusses how many people live in his region, the number of acres, and what the overall economy looks like. [12:10] Is the water from the Valley supplying any other regions? [13:09] Justin discusses if there is any financial support for the region from people downstream. [15:07] Justin shares how people can learn more about Conejos Clean Water and their work. [15:33] Justin conveys how people can support Conejos Clean Water. [16:38] Justin provides one change that would lead to safer, more sustainable, and more equitable communities. [17:26] Justin states the action listeners can take to help build a more equitable and sustainable future. [18:02] Justin shares what the Conejos Land Grant Region will look like 30 years from now. GUEST Justin Garoutte is the Executive Director of Conejos Clean Water. Justin is an Antonito native who recently returned home to give back to his community and be closer to family. His family has been farming and ranching in Conejos County for multiple generations. At an early age, he was fascinated with traveling and took the first opportunity to get out and see the world. He was one of sixteen Americans chosen to be a citizen ambassador for the U.S. Department of State LINC Program in Tunisia in 2005. His experience in northern Africa inspired him to study abroad again, and he received a scholarship for a full-year of study in Germany on the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program. After returning from Germany and graduating high school, he headed off to Colorado College on scholarships from the Daniels Fund, Hispanic Annual Salute, and CC Presidential Fund. While at Colorado College, he explored his interests, including courses in Native American and Mexican American Literature. After another year abroad in Göttingen, Germany, Justin graduated cum laude with a BA in German Language and Culture in 2012. Immediately after graduating, he embarked on what would turn out to be a three-year journey to Germany and other European countries. While in Germany, he taught English at the University of Bremen and German for high school exchange students from the United States, Thailand, and China. In addition, he returned to Colorado College in 2014 to teach a month-long, intensive German Theatre course and direct Das letzte Feuer, a German theatrical production by Dea Loher. Upon his latest return from Europe, Justin founded Valleybound, the Antonito School and Community Garden, which serves as an empowering educational space, offering a variety of activities for youth and adults alike. Educating and empowering community remains his main focus. Currently, he coordinates and teaches literacy and healthy choices at Guadalupe Elementary and serves as a mentor to at-risk youth throughout Conejos County. ORGANIZATIONThe mission of Conejos Clean Water (CCW) is to build public awareness and encourage advocacy and education around environmental, social, economic, and food justice issues in the Conejos Land Grant Region. CCW operates under the basic premise that water is our life source; therefore, protecting the water and fostering a healthy environment promotes public health and serves as a natural resource management system. CCW works to protect public health by promoting environmental...