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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I increase my profits? 
There are a variety of options for increasing profits, ranging from specialty crops to agritourism.  Find out how to increase your profits here.   Also, if you are selling at a farmers market, the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association has some great tips for increasing your sales. 

How do I sell at a farmers market?
The best way to sell at a farmers market is to find one near you and contact the market manager.  The market manager can give you more information about their market as well as an application form.  If there are a variety of markets in your area, visit each one to find the market/s that fit your schedule and business needs. 

Besides farmers markets, what other options exist for selling and distributing my products? 
There are a variety of other options for selling produce, meats, cheeses, and other agricultural goods.  Learn more here.

What options for irrigation are available to me? 
Given the arid climate of New Mexico, irrigation is required for most agricultural crops.  Irrigation of farmland in our region is largely dependent on surface water diverted from the Rio Grande, with some irrigation occuring from groundwater wells.  Learn more about irrigation options here. 

How can I conserve water?
Whether you use surface or ground water, a variety of irrigation conservation measures can be adopted. Learn more about water conservation.  Also, the Agriculture Collaborative recently hosted a meeting on meeting on drip irrigation.  Read the summary here.

How can I preserve my farmland to ensure that it always stays in agriculture?
Just as water is a limited resource in our region, so too are agricultural lands.  Once developed for housing or commercial use, agricultural lands are difficult to reclaim, making preservation a top priority.  Learn about methods for agricultural land preservation here.

How do I find an intern to work on my farm?
Whether you are interested in passing on your farming knowledge, or need a source for seasonal labor, farm interns are a great option. Learn more about hosting farm interns here. 

Should I market my farm or products online?
Absolutely. Even if you don't intend to sell your agricultural products online, having an online pressence for your business is great advertising and can increase your market potential.   It's easier and cheaper than you may think - learn more about web marketing here.

What resources are available to me?
The Agriculture Collaborative hosts monthly meetings on a variety of topics, many of which are of interest to crop and livestock producers.  Sign up today for our e-newsletter and learn about upcoming meetings and workshops or view our past meeting topics online. Our Local Food Blog and our Events Calendar can help keep you up to date on what is happening locally and nationally with local foods and agriculture.   Be sure to also see the resources listings below.

Resources Listing

Councils and Associations

New Mexico Apple Council
Information on membership, cooperative marketing and distribution of NM grown apples, events and workshops, and tips for orchard production.

The New Mexico Beef Council
Learn about their marketing programs to enchance the profitability of beef production in New Mexico.

The New Mexico Beekeepers Association
Learn about beekeeping seminars, workshops, meetings and more.

The New Mexico Cattle Growers Association
Learn about their programs for promoting the New Mexico cattle industry and membership opportunities.

New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association
Information on New Mexico farmers markets, direct marketing, and more.

New Mexico Wine Growers Association
An organization dedicated to promoting New Mexico wineries and wine products.

Quivira Coalition
Learn about their approach called the New Ranch, which includes progressive ranch management, riparian and upland restoration, and much more.  They offer a variety of publications, workshops, and programs in addition to an annual conference.

Southwest Grassfed Livestock Alliance
An alliance of producers, consumers, land managers, conservationists, and researchers working to improve the health of people, livestock and the land through the promotion of grassfed livestock.

The New Mexico Wool Growers Inc.
PO Box 7520
Albuquerque, NM 87194
(505) 247-0584
nmwgi@nmagriculture.org

Organic Certification

The New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission 
Learn about the organic certification process, how to market organic products, and more.

Irrigation and Water

Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
The MRGCD manages over 1,200 miles of irrigation ditches and canals in the Middle Rio Grande region. Learn more abou their programs and water management.

New Mexico Acequia Association
Learn about the association and their programs to protect water and preserve agricultural traditions.

Cooperative Extensions

Bernalillo County Cooperative Extension

New Mexico State University

Sandoval County Cooperative Extension

Valencia County Cooperative Extension

Farmland Preservation

American Farmland Trust
A national organization with a variety of great programs and publications related to farmland preservation.

Rio Grande Agricultural Land Trust
Learn about farmland preservation in the Middle Rio Grande.

Other Resources

Farm to School
A program of Farm to Table that promotes local food, agriculture, and nutrition education in schools.

Farm to Table 
An organization working to promote locally based agriculture through a variety of programs.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
Their extensive publications are a must see.  From soil management and composting to marketing and risk management, they have the information you seek.

New Mexico Agri-Cultura Network (American Friends Service Committee)
Training beginning farmers in organic food production for institutional buyers such as the public schools.

New Mexico Association of Food Banks 
Learn about donating crops and help address hunger issues in New Mexico.

New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Information on NMDA programs, licensing, inspections and more.

New Mexico Farmer to Farmer Training Program (American Friends Service Committee)
Provides comprehensive hands-on farmer-to-farmer training.

New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council
A collaborative organization working on a variety of food and agriculture related issues in New Mexico.

South Valley Economic Development Center
Learn about their business incubator, commercial kitchen, and other programs and services.

New Mexico Native Bee Pollinator Project
The NM Pollinator Project is identifying potentially important crop pollinating native bees in New Mexico, and works to preserve, increase, and where possible, to manage native bee populations.

Southwest Marketing Network
A program that works to expand markets for small scale, alternative, and minority producers in the Southwest.