Our Focus Areas

Recognizing that it takes coalitions of farmers, ranchers, consumers, non-profit groups, for-profit companies, government and community stakeholders to realize systemic positive change, the Foundation is committed to supporting pragmatic reforms that engage diverse coalitions of stakeholders in the following areas:

Improved health of New Mexico's rangelands and farmland to support the environment as well as future farming and ranching generations

Thornburg Foundation seeks to improve the health of New Mexico’s working rangelands and farmland at a significant scale. To do this, we fund partners who champion policies and practices that incentivize land management and stewardship on private as well as public lands.

Increased alignment among key stakeholders to develop and implement policies, laws and programs that champion a stronger and more sustainable local food system.

Women at the farmer's market

The Foundation seeks to increase alignment among food and agricultural system stakeholders to develop policies, laws and programs that champion a stronger and more sustainable local food system. This is accomplished through supporting policy makers, implementing agencies, and funders in their efforts to address common challenges and co-create long-lasting solutions that lead to more resilient food and agricultural systems in the state.

Increased long-term viability of farmers and ranchers producing food for local markets, with a focus on smaller-scale and young/beginning producers

harester in field

We work to strengthen long-term farmer and rancher economic viability and to ensure a robust next generation of farmers and ranchers in the state. We focus on supporting smaller-scale and beginning producers who are producing food for local markets. Our partners therefore advocate for policies that lower barriers farmers and ranchers face to establishing and growing their operations as well as help increase market opportunities for producers that offer fair prices.

Podcasts and Videos

Stewardship with Vision films that highlight the efforts and stories of private land managers in New Mexico and throughout the West implementing successful conservation and habitat restoration practices on working lands.

Down to Earth, produced by Mary-Charlotte Domandi in collaboration with Quivira Coalition. We invite you to meet farmers, ranchers, scientists, land managers, writers, and many others on a mission to create a world in which the food we eat is healthy—for us, for land and water, for the livelihoods of the producers, and for the planet.