Homegrown Economies is the only podcast of its kind that makes the connection between local businesses and communities with their public spaces, tourism, and the outdoor economy. Communities all over the country are seeing increases in the use of public parks, monuments, and open spaces. The local businesses in those communities benefit from tourism dollars, job creation, and outdoor recreation. On this podcast, we will talk with local business owners, agencies, and those involved in the outdoor recreation industry, highlighting the economic benefits of our open spaces. Also, we will feature conversations with locally owned businesses as they continue to navigate the challenges of COVID and learn the many ways they have adapted, addressed closures, and created new ways to market their business and reach current and new customers.
Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks Anthony Thomas, the Director of the Conservation Corps New Mexico. Thomas talks about the formation of the CCNM, how his past military service carries over into his leadership with the CCNM, the programs offered, the value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the future of CCNM. More information about the Conservation Corp New Mexico can be found by going to: https://corpsnm.org
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with State Representative Angelica Rubio and co-founder of the Monumental Loop, Pablo Lopez, about the New Mexico Bike Summit, taking place tomorrow in Las Cruces. Rubio and Lopez talk about increasing awareness about cycling, the importance of understanding the origins of the land we ride on, and how the Outdoor Equity Fund has supported over 30,000 kids in getting them outdoors. They talk about the purpose of the Bike Summit, Origins and Connections, and how vital that will be in creating a strong foundation for increased education, activity, and overall appreciation of cycling in the state. More information about the Bike Summit can be found by calling Matt Mason at 575-636-4952.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Carmichael Dominguez, public servant and advocate for public lands. On the program, Carmichael and Carrie talk about his years of public service, both as a city councilor and member of the school board in Santa Fe. Carmichael and Julian Gonzales, a veteran, recently authored a great article on the Antiquities Act. You can find that article here. They talk about the importance of the Antiquities Act, how it's used, and why it's important for communities.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Colleen Boyd, the owner and founder of downtown desert yoga. On the program, Colleen and Carrie talk about offering yoga for every BODY, what Optimal Movement means to helping folks become comfortable with doing yoga, and how the pandemic helped Colleen and some others in forming the nonprofit Desert Community Wellness.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Hilary Dutcher, the Outdoor Recreation Sales Manager for Visit Las Cruces. On the program, Hilary and Carrie talk about the strategies of marketing the outdoors, ways Visit Las Cruces modified the marketing of the outdoor activities during COVID, and what promoting Las Cruces post-pandemic looks like.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Jo Ann Garay, the Director of the Las Cruces Division of the New Mexico Small Business Development Center. On the show, Jo Ann and Carrie talk the challenges faced by small businesses, what makes a successful business owner, and how the NM SBDC helped so many locally owned businesses during the pandemic with access to state and federal assistance, getting their bookkeeping in order, and helping them prepare for the future of how consumers will shop post-COVID.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Angel Peña , the Executive Director of the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project. On the show, Angel talks about the origins of Nuestra Tierra, the importance of Latinx and Hispanic communities in protecting and preserving the outdoors, and how programs like the Outdoor Equity Fund and the Outdoor Future Initiative are providing opportunities for Tribal and BIPOC individuals to have a voice in shaping national policy that best serves their communities.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Leah Messina, CEO and founder of Sinuate Media, an organic marketing company located in Mesilla, NM. On the show, Leah talks about the challenges she faced, as a female CEO, early in the life of her business, her business values, and how she has been able to help businesses increase their online presence and sales during the pandemic. Leah reminds businesses that whomever is the most convenient is going to get the most businesses and she has been able to help other small and local businesses reach that goal.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Patrick Nolan, the Executive Director of the Friends of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks. Patrick talks about the programs the Friends oversees, working to support the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, how important the outdoors have been to communities as they deal with the isolation during COVID, and how our next Secretary of Interior will change the landscape of managing our public lands in historical ways.
On this episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen talks with Russell Hernandez and Christopher Schaljo, co-owners of Salud! de Mesilla. Russell and Christopher, after working for others, decided to welcome the opportunity to open their own restaurant, bringing to the region unique dishes, a welcoming atmosphere, and celebrating the lands around them. They talk about their approach to running a restaurant customers go back over and over and how they manage a business during COVID.
On this inaugural episode of Homegrown Economies, Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carrie Hamblen welcomes Axie Navas, the Executive Director of the New Mexico Office of Outdoor Recreation. They talk about the importance of outdoor recreation, the importance of Outdoor Equity Grant Program (the first of its kind in the country), and ways that communities can capitalize on the outdoor rec industry.