Helping People Help the Land 

NRCS New Mexico

Annual Report 
2 

Helping People Help the Land 

Table of Contents 

To Our Partners, Producers and Public —————————————————————— 3 

2015 NRCS New Mexico Leadership Team ———————————————————— 4 

Management & Strategy ———————————————————————————— 5 

Opportunity Through Our NRCS Programs ————————————————————‐ 7 

State Outreach ——— ————————————————————————————— 10 

State ConservaƟon Engineer —————————————————————————— 12 

Resource Technology Services —————————————————————————‐ 13 

North Area ——————————‐ ——————————————————————— 16 

South Area ——————————‐ ——————————————————————— 17 

Resource Inventories & Assessment —‐‐ ————————————————————— 18 

NRCS New Mexico Civil Rights Commitment ———————————————————‐ 19 

NRCS New Mexico Service Center Directory ——————————————————— 20 

NRCS New Mexico 

6200 Jefferson St. N.E., Suite 305 

Albuquerque, NM 87109 

(505) 761‐4402 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. To file a complaint of 

discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, 

Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 

377-8642 (Relay voice users).
3 

To Our Partners, Producers and Public 

Our Mission Defines Who We Are 

NRCS is an agency commiƩed to “helping people help the land.” Since our incepƟon more 

than 80 years ago, our mission has been to provide assistance to farmers and landowners 

that helps them with their conservaƟon efforts. We want them to have producƟve lands 

that are in harmony with a healthy environment. 

Our Program OpportuniƟes 

The type of program assistance that NRCS provides is both broad and specific. All that we offer through our 

various programs begins with the idea that we aim to address the natural resource concerns that impact 

American agriculture. 

What Resource Technology Can Do 

From the birth of our agency our mission has always been rooted in sound science. The decisions we make, 

the pracƟces we implement and the ConservaƟon Technical Assistance we offer are based on research, 

technological advances and empirical study. We look at the long‐term sustainability of the agricultural pro‐

ducer and respond to short‐term opportuniƟes. 

Outreach: Looking Ahead 

We must conƟnue to do our best to ensure that we reach out to all of our agricultural producers. I believe 

our outreach iniƟaƟves are strong, but we must be open to new approaches that reach every producer. 

Partnerships 

While each of us in the agricultural community can do a lot singularly, teaming up with our partners helps 

all of us reach more of those who need the help the most. My thanks to all of our partners who conƟnu‐

ously work to create a beƩer New Mexico. 

We thank you for the opportunity to serve you, the people of New Mexico, in your efforts to feed this state 

and around the world! 

J. Xavier Montoya 

State ConservaƟonist 
4 

Rosabeth Garcia‐Sais 

Assistant State ConservaƟonist for 

Management & Strategy 

Tel (505) 761‐4411 

rosabeth.garciasais@nm.usda.gov 

Kris Graham Chavez 

Assistant State ConservaƟonist for 

Programs 

Steve Kadas 

State Resource ConservaƟonist 

Tel (505) 761‐4404 

krisƟn.grahamchavez@nm.usda.gov 

Tel (505) 761‐4422 

steve.kadas@nm.usda.gov 

Tel (505) 761‐4490 

brian.schwebke@nm.usda.gov 

Brian Schwebke 

State ConservaƟon Engineer 

Blake Glover 

South Area ConservaƟonist 

Thomas Marshall 

North Area ConservaƟonist 

Rick Strait 

State Soil ScienƟst 

Tel (505) 761‐4411 

richard.strait@nm.usda.gov 

2015 Leadership Team 

Tel (505) 761‐4406 

rey.adame@nm.usda.gov 

Tel (505) 761‐4402 

scoƩ.skinkle@nm.usda.gov 

ScoƩ Skinkle 

ExecuƟve Assistant for the State 

ConservaƟonist 

Rey T. Adame 

State Public Affairs Officer& State 

Outreach Coordinator 

Tel (575) 522‐8775 

blake.glover@nm.usda.gov 

Tel (505) 761‐4445 

thomas.marshall@nm.usda.gov 
5 

Management & Strategy 

Rosabeth Garcia‐Sais, Assistant State ConservaƟonist for Management & Strategy 

Since the 1990s, NRCS has seen our role change as the Farm Bill programs expanded opportunity to Ameri‐

ca’s agricultural community. Simultaneously, our NRCS business and administraƟve structure did not keep 

pace with this expansion, making it more challenging for us to best support our mission. 

Now we’re looking ahead and building a beƩer business and administraƟve structure for the future. Admin‐

istraƟve TransformaƟon will create a new set of virtual teams to help make our Budget & Financial Manage‐

ment, Procurement & Property, and Human Resources more effecƟve and consistent. New Mexico, like all 

the other states, saw most of the AdministraƟve Support staff get reassigned to naƟonal teams. The staff of 

10 in the State Office was reduced to four as part of the local support. The others were formally assigned to 

naƟonal virtual teams. 

A new structure called Management & Strategy (M&S) now provides the on‐the‐ground support for each 

state. In addiƟon to this transiƟon from a naƟonal scope, NRCS New Mexico saw the need to get more of our 

employees into the field to provide direct support to our customers. As such, a team was comprised of State, 

Area and Field Office employees, and partner organizaƟons to see how to develop a pracƟcal and effecƟve 

plan. 

AŌer nearly a year of research, 

consultaƟon and feedback from 

employees, the team made its 

recommendaƟon. The 34 field 

office structure was reshaped in‐

to 11 Teams with one District 

ConservaƟonist heading up each 

team. This freed up approximate‐

ly 20 percent of our employees to 

provide ConservaƟon Technical 

Assistance and Program support 

directly to our customers. The 

New Mexico of the Future was 

implemented in January 2014. 

The changes didn’t stop with the 

implementaƟon. We strive to be 

the best in NRCS. We will conƟn‐

ue to listen to our employees and 

partners for their ideas and input 

on how we can beƩer serve our 

customers. 
6 
7 

Opportunity Through Our Programs 

Changes in the 2014 Farm Bill 

Kris Graham Chavez, Assistant State ConservaƟonist for Programs 

The 2014 Food Security Act (more commonly known as the 2014 Farm Bill) made some significant changes. 

We think these changes are for the better. 

The 2014 Farm Bill consolidated 26 Programs into 16. It gives the NRCS more flexibility and latitude in help‐

ing our agricultural producers achieve their goals of maximizing ag production while preserving, protecting 

and building a sustainable natural resource environment for generations to come. 

The current Farm Bill now includes a Special Emphasis component for military veterans pursuing their dreams 

of being a farmer or rancher. We have already started developing a working relationship with entities who 

will support our efforts to assist these veterans interested in being a part of the agricultural community of 

New Mexico. Being an ag producer is not an easy life and military veterans know the value of teamwork, 

hard work, staying the course and reaching their objectives. They will fit in just fine! 

The 2014 Farm Bill change that may have the biggest impact is the creation of the Regional Conservation 

Partnership Program (RCPP). We will discuss the RCPP in more detail later in this report.

Environmental Quality IncenƟves 

Program (EQIP) funds used to help 

improve an irrigaƟon system on 

a farm north of Springer, New 

Mexico. 
8 

Debbie Hughes, ExecuƟve 

Director, New Mexico 

AssociaƟon of ConservaƟon 

Districts (NMACD), in a public 

meeƟng discusses the various 

projects that were submiƩed 

for the RCPP funding consideraƟon. 

New Mexico RestoraƟon IniƟaƟve for Rangeland, Forestland, and Wildlife on Ranches with Federal Lands 

Lead partner: New Mexico AssociaƟon of ConservaƟon Districts: In response to drought condiƟons and ex‐

treme wildfires impacƟng more than 1.5 million acres from 2009 to 2013, New Mexico has developed a 

Restore New Mexico plan that includes treaƟng brush‐ invaded range lands and dense forest land, soil ero‐

sion, and wildlife habitat degradaƟon. As part of this effort, ranchers in 15 conservaƟon districts collaborated 

on Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMPs). 

Canadian River Watershed RestoraƟon Project (CRWRP) Lead Partner: Canadian River Riparian RestoraƟon 

Project: Working across private, federal, and state lands, the partners in this area of New Mexico will focus on 

treaƟng invasive plant species while maintaining energy producƟon, maintaining cultural tradiƟons, and sup‐

porƟng operaƟon sustainability. A CRMP will be developed collaboraƟvely by the rancher, Federal, and state 

land management agencies to ensure that all areas of the watershed will be able to benefit from treatment 

of brush invasion, soil erosion, and wildlife habitat degradaƟon. 

New Mexico Acequia RevitalizaƟon on Historic Irrigated Lands (NMAR) Lead partner: New Mexico Acequia 

AssociaƟon, Interstate Stream Commission, and New Mexico AssociaƟon of ConservaƟon Districts: The objec‐

Ɵve of the proposal is to facilitate and promote surface water conservaƟon, increase irrigaƟon system effi‐

ciencies/effecƟveness and improve water quality on agricultural lands and for downstream purposes in pri‐

marily highly minority/underserved communiƟes. The NMAR IniƟaƟve will use Environmental Quality Incen‐

Ɵves Program and ConservaƟon Stewardship Program contracts with farmers and ranchers operaƟng irrigat‐

ed lands served by an acequia system. Water quanƟty and quality will be improved by restoring historic 

acequias on agricultural lands supporƟng local families and communiƟes. 

North Central New Mexico Watershed RestoraƟon Project Lead partner: Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water ConservaƟon District (SWCD): Poor historic management of forest and riparian watersheds and climate change 

are creaƟng a dire situaƟon. Wildlife, fish, acequias, rural economies, tourism and outdoor recreaƟon are all 

at risk from the associated impacts of watershed wildfires. Without a large scale watershed soluƟon, wildfire 

will threaten more communiƟes within the Wildland Urban Interface. 

NRCS Approves Four RCPP Projects in New Mexico ... 
9 

New Mexico completes First RCPP Project using AFA in USA! 

Xavier Montoya, State ConservaƟonist for NRCS New Mexico 

(leŌ) listens to Mark Rose (center 

leŌ), NRCS Director of Financial 

Assistance Programs manager, 

talk about the successful partnership and teamwork that led to 

the compleƟon of the Las Joyas 

Acequia improvement project 

near Nambe, New Mexico. Las 

Joyas is the first RCPP project in 

the United States that used the 

AlternaƟve Funding Arrangement 

for project funding. Also aƩending the event were Kenneth 

Salazar, former president of the 

New Mexico AssociaƟon of 

ConservaƟon Districts (NMACD); 

and current NMACD President 

Jim Berlier (far right). 

AlternaƟve Funding Arrangement a Powerful Partnership Tool 

The 2014 Farm Bill introduced significant changes in how the Department of Agriculture administers assis‐

tance to the nation’s agricultural producers. One of the most prominent changes of the 2014 Farm Bill was 

the creation of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). 

A small three‐part section called Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) authorized, as part of the RCPP: 

A) the USDA Secretary may enter into Alternative Funding Arrangements (AFA) with a multi‐state water 

resource agency or authority if the Secretary determines that the goals/objectives will be met by the AFA. (In 

NRCS New Mexico, the authority is the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (ISC) along with the New 

Mexico Association of Conservation Districts.); (B) CONDITIONS ‐ As a condition of receipt of funding under 

subparagraph (A), the multi‐state authority (NMISC) , in partnership with NMACD, shall agree –(1) to submit 

an annual independent audit to the Secretary that describes the use of funds under this paragraph; (2) to 

provide any data necessary for the Secretary to issue a report on the use of funds under this agreement; and 

(3) Not to use any of the funds provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) for administration or provide for ad‐

ministrative costs through contracts with another entity; and (C) LIMITATION – The USDA Secretary may en‐

ter into at least 10 but not more than 20 alternative funding arrangements under this paragraph. 
10 

Outreach 

Rey T. Adame, State Outreach Coordinator and State Public Affairs Specialist 

A successful outreach campaign and strategy is key to ensuring that our customers, partners, and the public 

are aware of all of the opportuniƟes and services that NRCS New Mexico provides. 

Printed materials, banners, audio and video recordings — any tool that helps to spread our message that our 

employees and agency stand ready to serve. We can assist producers in creaƟng a tailor made ConservaƟon 

Plan; explain in more detail our exisƟng programs; or help them apply for one of our programs. 

But in all begins with outreach. We can customize our informaƟon products to be language‐specific. We 

consider culture and tradiƟon when introducing new technologies and scienƟfic pracƟces. We must first build 

trust with our customers before building projects. We work closely with our sister agencies in the USDA such 

as Farm Services Agency, Rural Development and Risk Management Agency. While we all have different mis‐

sions, there is overlap in our work that can benefit our customers. 

We provide workshops, trainings, demonstraƟons, and aƩend NaƟve American‐hosted events, conferences 

and other venues. We share informaƟon with our customers as quickly as possible. For example, when news 

and informaƟon is released from the naƟonal or state office, that informaƟon is relayed to as many custom‐

ers as possible via email, press releases to print, broadcast and internet media, and Pueblo, Acequia, soil and 

water conservaƟon district newsleƩers and meeƟngs. 

PracƟce Enrolled Acres Extent Number Financial Assistance 

Brush Management 3,013,253.71 197,509 

Acres 

295 $6,774,141.25 

Livestock Pipeline 3,104,581.3 135,2990 

Feet 

218 $2,300,046.08 

Fence 1,900,167.21 119,4712 

Feet 

151 $2,106,531.08 

Forest Stand Improvement 155,618.58 1,683 

Acres 

76 $1,853,130.34 

Sprinkler System 2,967.1 1,760 

Acre 

34 $1,796,137.25 

ConservaƟon Crop RotaƟon 8,139.15 6,866 

Acres 

66 $1,737,536.15 

IrrigaƟon Pipeline 4,905.75 102,908 

Feet 

104 $1,466,928.83 

Top Seven PracƟces Across New Mexico 
11 

StrikeForce—New Mexico 

StrikeForce is part of the AdministraƟon's commitment to address persistent pov‐

erty across America. USDA idenƟfies census tracts with over 20 percent poverty 

(according to American Community Survey data) to idenƟfy sub‐county pockets of 

poverty. As areas of persistent poverty are idenƟfied, USDA staff work with state, 

local and community officials to increase awareness of USDA programs and help 

build program parƟcipaƟon through intensive community outreach and technical 

assistance. 

Launched in 2010, more than 1,500 StrikeForce partnerships have already helped 

USDA support nearly 190,000 projects and invest $23.5 billion in high‐poverty are‐

as in rural America. Across the naƟon, 970 counƟes, parishes, boroughs, areas are 

recognized as StrikeForce areas. 

New Mexico was recognized as a StrikeForce state in 2012. In this state, 30 of our 

33 counƟes are considered StrikeForce eligible. Our New Mexico StrikeForce part‐

ners agree that we need to place this special emphasis to assist our farmers and 

ranchers across the state. 

As StrikeForce partners, we share informaƟon and event opportuniƟes to present a 

mulƟ‐agency presence at as many venues as possible. We use a unified approach, 

carry one banner, provide printed informaƟon to our current and potenƟal cus‐

tomers on what programs each agency can offer, and have USDA employees on 

hand to work one‐on‐one with those needing our help. The New Mexico 

StrikeForce team is expanding its outreach to include focusing on the military vet‐

erans who want to become farmers and ranchers. 

2015 NRCS New Mexico Farm Bill Program Investments:

A Snapshot of Historically Underserved (HU), Socially Disadvantaged (SD) Farmers and Ranchers

and All Contract Investments in New Mexico

 

DescripƟons CSP1 EQIP RCPP‐EQIP (excluding 

Acequia)

Contracts with HU 

ParƟcipants Contracts 62 141 13 

ObligaƟons $13,816,000 $6,638,000 $891,000 

All Contracts 

(including non‐HU) Contracts 233 407 54 

ObligaƟons $58,016,000 $22,908,000 $4,953,000 1 EsƟmated CSP obligaƟons are for the full 5‐year contract term.

 

 Contracts ObligaƟons Acres 

Total HU Assistance 216 $21,345,000 941,000 

All Contracts 694 $85,877,000 4,184,000 
12 

Engineering 

Brian Schwebke, State ConservaƟon Engineer 

Staffing was a challenge for engineering in 2015. The State Geologist posiƟon was vacated and filled by an 

acƟng geologist for approximately six months. When this posiƟon was permanently filled by the current 

State Environmental Engineer another vacancy was created. The State Design Engineer posiƟon also became 

vacant. 

For FY 15 NM NRCS decided to not conƟnue with the tradiƟonal reimbursable agreement with ISC to plan, 

design or perform construcƟon inspecƟon on acequia projects. NRCS will conƟnue to dedicate resources to 

the planning and design of group irrigaƟon projects on the order of 1 project per NRCS team per year (11 de‐

signs/year). 

Use of Emergency Watershed 

ProtecƟon (EWP) Program 

During the 2011 Las Conchas Fire, 156,000 acres, 

accounƟng for approximately 50 percent of the 

watershed above Santa Clara Pueblo, were se‐

verely burned. Much of the soil became hydro‐

phobic from the intense fires leading to increased 

runoff during rainfall events, intensifying by up to 

10 Ɵmes greater than natural condiƟons. 

Flooding from rains less than a month aŌer the 

fire were a result of a one‐quarter inch rainfall on 

the watershed. The flooding, along with the asso‐

ciated sediment deposiƟon, have greatly reduced 

the capacity of the channel and increased the like‐

lihood of damage to infrastructure downstream. 

The NRCS was able to join in an overall larger effort to restore the capacity of the channel, improve the 

watershed and protect the lives downstream by assisƟng with funding and technical assistance through the 

Emergency Watershed ProtecƟon (EWP) Program. 

Even though a significant amount of Ɵme has passed since the iniƟal event, much work remains to relieve the 

imminent hazard that sƟll exists. 

Through the 2015 Santa Clara EWP $41,600 project the NRCS was able to remove 2,715 cubic yards of 

sediment and debris immediately above a water crossing that served as an access point into the canyon. 

Ensuring that this access point did not plug and/or breach was a major priority to the pueblo. 
13 

Resource Technological Services 

Steve Kadas, State Resource Conservationist 

The Resource Technology Services (RTS) oversees the NRCS ecological sciences (i.e., Agronomy, Range, Wild‐

life Biology, Forestry, Archeology and Business Tools). Significant positive changes were made while facing a 

number of on‐going challenges. The following examples highlight our challenges and success in RTS: 

Brenda Simpson, State Rangeland Management specialist for NRCS New Mexico, demonstrates to an audience in Farmington, N.M., 

how the rainfall simulator behind her illustrates how precipitaƟon passes through various types of soils and vegetaƟon. Simpson is 

part of the Resources Technological Services staff who provide hands-on ConservaƟon Technical Assistance and training to New 

Mexico’s NRCS staff and private agricultural land owners. Ranchers saw that healthy soil really does mean more grass for 

livestock and wildlife while controlling erosion and improving water quality. 

Soil health conƟnues to be an important NRCS iniƟaƟve. Among the top benefits of a healthy range or 

cropland soil are higher producƟon and drought tolerance. The challenge was geƫng the word out, but this 

year that changed. One of the best ways to demonstrate the concept of soil health is with our new rainfall 

simulator demonstraƟon. Soil health is an important naƟonal iniƟaƟve that the New Mexico RTS has been 

working on in the past two years. Across New Mexico there are difficult challenges with maintaining and im‐

proving soil health on both cropland and rangeland. 

The rainfall simulator has enabled us to illustrate the importance of healthy soil and water management and 

its impacts on infiltraƟon, water holding capacity, importance of cover and soil erosion. Numerous presenta‐

Ɵons were made to promote rangeland soil health to partners and producers. 
14 

Resource Technological Services—Rangeland

Partnership

Inventory and EvaluaƟon trainings Ɵe things together and collaborate between NRCS, producers, Bureau of 

Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, New Mexico Department of Game & Fish, and other partners in 

treaƟng large, landscape level area's. These trainings will enhance our capability to properly evaluate wildlife 

habitat needs. 

ConservaƟon Planning 

Improving the quality of conservaƟon planning is a major goal and focus area of the RTS. In addiƟon to main‐

taining state conservaƟon planning policies, the RTS Staff has devoted many hours in preparing and pre‐

senƟng training to both new and seasoned NRCS employees. 

During the 2015 ConservaƟon Planning Courses in Deming our new and seasoned employees were asked to 

develop conservaƟon treatment alternaƟves for both a high‐end pecan farm and a small diversified ranch. 

The newer NRCS employees were able to gain valuable experience in conservaƟon planning as were the 

more experienced employees who also served as course instructors. 

NRCS Portales staff and SWAT biologists are seen here running Similarity Index (range transects) in the Lesser Prairie Chicken habitat areas of eastern New Mexico. 
15 

Resource Technological Services 

Conservation Client Gate‐

way (CCG) 

The CCG may be the big‐

gest singular tool to help 

America’s farmers and 

ranchers. CCG allows for 

producers to conduct 

their business with NRCS 

online, saving time and a 

trip to the field office. 

Toolkit 

‘Toolkit’ is an NRCS con‐

servation planning com‐

puter program designed 

to manage clients’ plans 

and contracts. 

Toolkit 7 was released in February 2014, with Toolkit 8 following a few months later. Our state toolkit team 

trained NRCS New Mexico field staff and Farm Bill Specialists on Conservation Planning and NRCS Programs. 

This training enabled our employees and Farm Bill Specialists to provide better assistance to our customers. 

Archeology 

NRCS and the New Mexico State Historical Preservation Office have collaborated on a draft Archeology Pro‐

grammatic Agreement for NRCS conservation activities. The agreement recognizes the role NRCS plays in 

conservation work and the need to preserve historic properties and sites. 

Cultural clearances are a substantial 

workload for NRCS. There is a back‐

log of pending clearances that is pre‐

venting some conservation work. 

Both agencies have been creative in 

streamlining procedures to reduce 

the backlog. 
16 

Federal 

Partnership 

Reduces 

Wildfire 

Threats 

through Local 

Partnerships

USDA NRCS and the 

U.S. Forest Service announced a federal investment of over $40 million 

for restoration of forests 

near growing communities to reduce wildfire 

threats, protect water 

supplies, improve wildlife 

habitat and support rural 

economies.

North Area 

Thomas Marshall, North Area ConservaƟonist 

Joint Chiefs’ Landscape RestoraƟon Partnership enters its third Year 

This is the third year of the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape RestoraƟon Partnership between the NRCS and U.S. For‐

est Service to improve the health and resiliency of forest ecosystems where public and private lands meet. 

USDA works with other public land management agencies and thousands of private landowners through a 

range of programs and partnerships to decrease the threat of wildfire, restore forest habitat and increase 

economic and other opportuniƟes for the families and businesses that make their homes near woodlands. 

This partnership is bringing funds to New Mexico through the Isleta CollaboraƟve Landscape RestoraƟon Pro‐

ject. The scheduled $1.5 million to conƟnue their forest restoraƟon efforts in FY 2016 brings the total to 

more than $2.86 million for the previous two years. The Joint Chiefs’ project is one of the many efforts to 

help New Mexico’s agricultural producers achieve their goals. 

Acequias and Land Grants 

In addiƟon to the Joint Chiefs’ project, we work closely with the New Mexico Acequia AssociaƟon and local 

soil and water conservaƟon districts in improving the uƟlity and efficiency of New Mexico’s acequias. 

Another example of our conƟnued outreach and customer support is our collaboraƟve work with the numer‐

ous Land Grants in the state. Our intent and goal is for the Land Grant owners to develop a structure and pro‐

cess to be more compeƟƟve for our Environmental Quality IncenƟves Program (EQIP) opportuniƟes. 
17 

South Area 

Kenneth Alcon, AcƟng South Area ConservaƟonist 

New Mexico CTA and EQIP install one of the 

largest digester projects in the naƟon 

We are proud of the consistent, professional service we provide our agricultural customers in southern New 

Mexico. We successfully provided scienƟfic and technical informaƟon to our farmers and ranchers, devel‐

oped and maintained our relaƟonships with our partners, provided and trained our employees to beƩer 

serve both customers and partners, and implemented major natural resource conservaƟon pracƟces. We 

conducted a ConservaƟon Planning Course for employees and partner organizaƟons, developed and signed a 

CooperaƟve Agreement with the Gila NaƟonal Forest and the Grant Soil and Water ConservaƟon District 

(SWCD), and teamed with the Otero SWCD and CloudcroŌ FFA chapter to idenƟfy and install erosion control 

measures in the CloudcroŌ Village. 

The installaƟon of an Anaerobic Methane Digester which serves seven dairy farms and approximately 35,000 

head of dairy cows began in May 2015. The NRCS Roswell Field Office staff contributed ConservaƟon Tech‐

nical Assistance (CTA) as well as Environmental Quality IncenƟves Program (EQIP) Financial Assistance to this 

project. 

Once it is completed, it will serve as one of the largest — if not the largest — project in the United States in‐

stalled using NRCS assistance. The digester will effecƟvely address resource concerns involving ground and 

surface water. We will conƟnue to be there for customers, partners and the public.
18 

Resource Inventories & Assessments 

Rick Strait, State Soil ScienƟst 

Snow Survey 

Snow provides 50‐75 percent of New Mexico’s water supply. Having accurate snow data is criƟcal. This data 

is used by municipaliƟes, tribes, and agricultural producers. The NRCS New Mexico gathers this data through 

a network of automated and manually measured sites. Data from these sites are used to produce monthly 

water supply forecasts during the snow season. Approximately 1,500 of these reports are provided to the 

public. These reports are posted on the NRCS New Mexico website and the NaƟonal Water and Climate Cen‐

ter website. 

Web Soil Survey 

Nearly 100% of New Mexico’s private lands have been mapped and are posted to Web Soil Survey. Web Soil 

Survey is the most popular USDA web portal, with over half a million reports accessed naƟonally each month. 

See for yourself at: hƩp://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/HomePage.htm. 

Snow survey specialists prepare to determine how much precipitaƟon has fallen at a snowtel site since the previous reading. 
19 

NRCS Civil Rights Program 

and Diversity in New Mexico 

NRCS New Mexico has a vibrant and dynamic Civil Rights Advisory 

CommiƩee (CRAC). They collaborated with our employees and as 

a commiƩee created Diversity Day — a day to celebrate all that 

makes up the world in which we live. 

In the past, Diversity Day in New Mexico was always celebrated 

only in the NRCS New Mexico State Office. 

AŌer hosƟng the successful event in Albuquerque in 2012 the CRAC decided that Diversity Day needed to 

be accessible to as many of our employees as possible. They determined that three events needed to be 

hosted in strategic locaƟons around the state. In FY 2015, Diversity Day events were held in Las Vegas, 

Roswell and Albuquerque. 

The Las Vegas event included touring the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West. The 

World College enrolls approximately 230 students represenƟng 70‐80 countries at any Ɵme. The tour in‐

cluded a visit to the farm that is managed 

by the students. 

The Roswell event provided parƟcipants 

with some informaƟon and history about 

the New Mexico Military InsƟtute in Ro‐

swell and Blackdom, N.M., the all‐Black 

fronƟer town that began in 1903 with the 

establishment of the Blackdom Townsite 

Company and dissolved around 1930 dur‐

ing the Great Depression. 

In Albuquerque, the CRAC hosted the 

‘Diversity Day Film FesƟval,’ showing 

“Salinas Project,” “Two Spirits,” “Choua 

Tao: Female Hmong Veteran Reflects on 

Secret War,” and “Veterans History Pro‐

ject.” 

Diversity in our workforce provides us with 

new ideas and approaches that can help us 

be more aware of the needs and interests 

of our customers and the public. 

Armand Hammer United World College of the American West 
20