Farms and Ranches Forever

Local food security requires farms and ranches. NM farm and ranches disappear each year. Between 1997 and 2007, NM lost about 3 million farms/ranch acres. Over 2.6M more acres are at risk from low-density developments. Farm and ranchlands are an owner's sole asset and may be sold for retirement finances. Intergenerational inheritance may trigger land subdivision; or speculators may buy land to convert it to homesites.

Young growers usually cannot afford farm land. Over 2.6M more acres are at risk from low-density developments. The map shows many of the conservation easements and land trusts protecting agriculture (about 100,000 acres of NM's 45 million acres of farm/ranch lands). In addition, acequia organizations actively pursue farm/water protection. The federal Kiowa grasslands protect native pastures (over 130,000 acres), and the State and federal governments work with farmers and ranchers to enhance working landscapes. (Not shown are EQIP and NCRS programs). Albuquerque is one of the few cities to buy farms to preserve them.

Dream: A State-wide program to preserve all farmland and most high quality ranchland.