By: Sarah Wentzel Fisher, Land & Agriculture Policy Officer
[email protected]
In this first blog post in my role as Land and Agriculture Policy Officer, I’ll uplift the work of some of our grantees and share why their work is so important as we all navigate dramatic shifts in the federal administrative and funding landscapes. This quarter’s Land and Agriculture Program grantees report significant progress in strengthening regional food systems, regenerative land management, and conservation across New Mexico. Their accomplishments are set against a growing backdrop of drought, increased fire risk, federal funding freezes, policy reversals, federal agency layoffs, and administrative uncertainty—making this work timelier and more critical than ever.
Farmer and rancher centric data
Ecdysis Foundation’s 1000 Farms Initiative continued its research into regenerative practices across the US including farms and ranches in New Mexico. By collecting ecological and economic data from 20 farms in the state, the project is building a farmer-centric dataset that tracks outcomes like soil carbon, biodiversity, water infiltration, and nutrient density in food. The baseline data collected through the project helps farmers adapt to environmental stressors while providing hard evidence of regenerative agriculture’s co-benefits. In a climate where USDA funding streams are increasingly uncertain, independent data collection becomes a crucial resource for producers and policymakers alike.
Indigenous and Culturally Rooted Approaches to Agriculture and Food
Pueblo Resurgents and Covenant Pathways advanced programs that center Indigenous values and land stewardship. Pueblo Resurgents delivered over 600 CSA shares to students through the Radicle Food Distribution initiative; supported apprenticeships; and developed communications systems to coordinate with local growers. Covenant Pathways provided technical and cultural training for Indigenous producers and helped launch new on-farm enterprises led by Native youth. As federal policies roll back funding for diversity- and equity-focused programs, these efforts provide community-controlled pathways to sustain cultural knowledge and food sovereignty.
Building Soil Health
The New Mexico Healthy Soils Working Group hosted 13 field days and expanded its support services for producers, including a healthy soils equipment directory and microloans in partnership with a Nusenda Credit Union. The organization also supported producers in applying to the Healthy Soil Program and conducted a statewide composting assessment. This work helps buffer the impact of suspended or delayed USDA programs and reductions in USDA workforce.
Policy and Statewide Coordination Connecting Food and Agriculture
Farm to Table launched the New Mexico Food Charter and baseline report card, tracking progress on policy goals such as school nutrition, land access, and producer viability. They also coordinated statewide advocacy meetings and supported the NM Grown Program, which may face future disruptions due to changing federal guidance on child nutrition and local food procurement programs. Their policy work ensures that New Mexico has a state-level roadmap to continue investing in local agriculture regardless of shifting federal priorities.
Mentoring the Next Generation of Agrarians
The Quivira Coalition’s New Agrarian Program introduced a fellowship model to reach beginning producers unable to participate in full-time apprenticeships. They distributed $28,000 in scholarships and stipends to producers and hosted multiple workshops on mentorship, mental health, and land stewardship. This work bolsters beginning farmer and rancher training and support at a time when federal workforce programs, particularly those prioritizing equity or small-scale producers, face increased scrutiny under new federal directives.
Regional Conservation and Federal Wins
Western Landowners Alliance made policy gains with the introduction of the Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act, which facilitates stacking conservation programs for working lands. In eastern New Mexico, Phase I of their Southern Plains restoration initiative demonstrated measurable ecological outcomes on 179,000 acres, including improved soil carbon and water retention through adaptive grazing. This work arrives as the administration signals potential cuts to climate-related conservation programs.
This Work Matters Now More Than Ever
In a time of shifting federal priorities, a changing climate, and rising food insecurity, the work of these grantees helps chart a course for New Mexico’s land and agricultural future. They are demonstrating that locally led solutions—rooted in community knowledge, regenerative science, and strategic collaboration—can move us towards resilient food and agriculture systems regardless of reliable federal partnership. I encourage you to read about our grantees and consider supporting their work.