Regenerating New Mexico

Introduction: Rural communities in New Mexico experience a multitude of interconnected challenges, including climate change, drought, extreme wildfires and flooding, diminishing natural resources, economic depression, and conflicts over water. The COVID pandemic has shown the vulnerability of our current food system, exposing food insecurity, supply chain gaps, a lack of basic infrastructure as well as systemic racial and social inequities.

Given the magnitude of the problem, project partners Ecotone Landscape Planning LLC, High Watermark LLC and NM Healthy Soil propose to work regionally to restore ecosystems, economies and environments to an extent not possible on an individual farm scale. The Dutch NGO,  Commonland , has developed a consensus-based, community-centered process for landscape-scale regeneration. This methodology is being employed successfully internationally in semi-arid regions such as Spain, South Africa and Australia. We are bringing this framework to the US for the first time, using regenerative agriculture to achieve ecological, financial, social and cultural benefits – the so-called 4 Returns framework:

This StoryMap documents the first project phase, completed in summer 2023. It involves assessments of three different regions in New Mexico to determine the areas' potential for developing production systems that are mutually beneficial across agricultural and environmental sectors and function as catalysts for economic revitalization and ecological restoration. In all three study areas, water (re)source regeneration is key.

Methodology: Desk study, including identification and review of literature and map information were followed by phone interviews with key stakeholders, culminating in a field trip with in-person interviews.

A variety of methods was employed, including systematic research, conversations aimed at listening and sharing of information, playful exploration, and participation in activities that provide a sense of inspiration and cultural exchange.

Key agents of change were identified along with the incentives and opportunities they have toward change and what barriers exist for them and for the wider area.

Introduction: The Rio Grande valley with its deep alluvial soils, flat topography, and plentiful water supplies has historically been the primary agricultural production area of New Mexico. The wide river valley between Truth or Consequences and El Paso—also known as the Pecan Belt—has developed in a concentrated and high value production zone for pecans, cotton, grains, alfalfa, chili peppers, and many other valuable crops. The area houses key institutional entities, such as the state's agricultural college, New Mexico State University (NMSU), the Jornada Experimental Range, and many agricultural support organizations.

However, declining water supplies in the Rio Grande, increasing salinity of soils, and crumbling water infrastructure are imminent challenges to the profitability of the agricultural sector in the Pecan Belt. Gradually, farmers and institutions are experimenting and sharing experiences with regenerative agriculture. Increased information sharing and networking may help grow the movement and the regional markets for regenerative farming and lead to regenerative rural development.

Despite being a premier focus area for the SRA project, all four farmers noted the difficulty and need to build a network to connect with likeminded individuals as peer to peer knowledge sharing is essential. Farmers in the area are typically very set in their ways. A few families own the majority of farmland and there are old feuds between them.

While a small number of innovators is experimenting with alternative crops and production methods, most people aren't willing to risk their livelihoods in order to try new approaches. Partnerships with researchers (e.g. (Western SARE and NMSU) can reduce the risk of experimentation and support a trial and error approach. More consultants are needed to help prevent failure. Finances are a big barrier, as this is a low-income area and for a lot of farmers it is hard to even get loans.

Change can't come from the government, but has to be bottom up. Demonstrating the economic benefit of regenerative practices (savings in money, water or labor) is the best incentive for people to get on board and change practices.

There is a great need for collective marketing geared towards regenerative products as well as infrastructure to enable local food systems, ranging from cold storage to distribution to custom, small scale technology and equipment. Tool sharing would also be very important.

All agreed that regenerative economic development presents a much needed opportunity to address the area's water issues, drought and salinity problems.

Introduction: Located on fertile clay-loam soils, irrigated largely by groundwater from the Ogallala aquifer, and with strong connections to a larger agricultural area in Texas, Eastern New Mexico's 1,200,000-acre agriculture region is a contemporary granary for the state. Yet, the groundwater source is severely depleted and at risk of being exhausted before 2030. This looming new reality is on the minds of many in the agricultural sector in this region.

However, few have taken up new, regenerative approaches to farming that address the major problem of the drying aquifer and open entirely new production systems and markets. Agriculture consists predominantly of highly subsidized commodity crops such as grains, cotton, and feed crops, combined with large livestock operations and dairies, mostly Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). Several research and educational institutions and large marketing entities support the agricultural sector in the region, and many products find markets in Texas.

Driven by a few innovative producers who feel forced to change their practices or else give up farming and several forward looking leaders in local farm support institutions, the Eastern New Mexico region is at the cusp of agricultural innovation and regenerative practices.

Due to imminent water shortages, the agricultural sector will soon need to make dramatic changes. Water conservation and smart water use are going to be key in maintaining a viable agricultural section in this region. Information sharing, networking, demonstration farms, and other locally based initiatives for support, education and outreach will be essential to grow the regenerative movement in this region.

Introduction: The study area consists of the broad river valley of the Rio Grande with mountain ranges on both sides—the Jemez Mountains to the west, and Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east. These mountains, the Rio Grande and the Cochiti Reservoir are sources of water. There are small agricultural operations along the river and its tributaries, such as Santa Fe River.

A growing outdoor economy is focused on the film industry, forest restoration and stewardship (aimed at wildfire recovery and prevention), and recreation (trails and nature preserves).

The population overall is multi-cultural, predominantly urban, older (50+) and relatively affluent, while people in the agricultural sector are rural, less affluent and dependent on jobs associated with urban areas to make a living. Regionally there is a shortage of younger generation people.

Complex multi-jurisdictional land ownership structures include a strong presence of native American reservations (Cochiti and Santo Domingo Pueblos), as well as federal and state land, in addition to private land.

A regenerative initiative in this study area would focus less on agriculture and more on regional community and environmental development of forest, water, and outdoor industries. Water conservation is central to all these operations. Forest stewardship would consist both of preventing high severity fire and water storage in the mountain soils and of replanting and regenerating the tens of thousands of acres of forest lands that burned over the last 20 years. Water supply improvements from the forests based on successful forestry activities will need to complement the dwindling surface water supplies in the Rio Grande.

Multiple large, collaborative initiatives already exist, while many small, individual initiatives need stronger cohesion. Moreover, there is a great need in coordination between sectors to enhance the ecosystem benefits to the region and establish regenerative land use practices across all sectors. Education and cultural change is needed to balance out the inevitable resistance that will occur to regenerative initiatives.