Who We Are:

Number Practice Projects Number 

of Acres

Financial 

Assistance

1 Irrigation System, Sprinkler 31 2,198 $1,011,960

2

Irrigation Water 

Conveyance 

(Pipeline and concrete ditch 

lining)

83 89,774 $890,415

3 Brush Management 92 17,002 $975,910

4 Livestock Pipeline 97 537,092 

feet $925,829

5 Fence 79 678,502 

feet $678,502

6 Watering Facilities 

(troughs & tanks) 136 n/a $402,913

7 Structure for Water 

Control 74 n/a $209,819

“Helping People 

 Help the Land”

J. Xavier Montoya

New Mexico 

State Conservationist

Top Seven Conservation Practices Across New Mexico

New Mexico

ANNUAL REPORT-2013

www.nm.nrcs.usda.gov

United States Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service

Soil water Air plants 

animals Energy humans 

For nearly 80 years the Natural Resources 

Conservation Service (NRCS) of New 

Mexico has been on the front line of 

helping the state’s agricultural producers 

improve and protect the natural resources on their farm-, ranch-, forest- and 

wetlands. We work one-on-one in close 

partnership with ag producers; Native 

American Tribes, Pueblos and Nations; 

Soil and Water Conservation Districts, 

local and state governments, and other 

federal agencies to maintain healthy and 

productive working landscapes in New 

Mexico. 

NRCS assists landowners with conservation planning and implementation by 

explaining the significance of how natural resources are interconnected - each 

relying on the other in having healthy 

soil. NRCS responds to a broad array of 

resource concerns such as soil, water, 

air, plants, animal, energy and human 

issues (SWAPA+EH) on America’s private, 

state and Tribal lands. While farmers 

and ranchers will always be our primary 

focus, NRCS also provides technical assistance to city planners, watershed groups, 

local, state and tribal governments, educators as well as civic organizations.

This Annual Report showcases what we 

accomplished in 2013 as well as how successfully NRCS New Mexico implemented 

the 2008 Farm Bill to reach out to all 

eligible Farm Bill program recipients. 

Approximately 49 percent of the entire 

2008 Farm assistance in New Mexico was 

provided to Historically Underserved 

groups such as Small Acreage/Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, Limited 

Resource Producers and Socially Disadvantaged Producers (such as Hispanic, 

American Indian and Women agricultural 

producers). 

We take pride in what we have 

accomplished and will continue to 

provide sound and credible scientific and 

technical assistance to our customers. 
EQIP 

Initiative

Contracts Obligations Payments Contract 

Acres

6 $1,104,274 $79,820 110,126

CSPis a voluntary conservation program that provides incentives to agricultural 

producers to maintain, enhance, and manage existing conservation practices. CSP is used 

only on Tribal and private agricultural lands and non-industrial private forest land. The 

program provides equitable access to all producers, regardless of operation size, crops 

produced or geographic location. 

CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM

Congressional 

District Contracts Contracted Acres

Obligation 

Amount

1 15 107,472 $908,077

2 91 696,207 $6,353,438

3 43 187,362 $1,992,980

Total 149 991,041 $9,254,495

Estimated 

Range of 

Annual 

Payments

Seasonal High Tunnel-Hoop Houses

Contracts Obligations Payments Contract 

Acres

24 $176,617 $60,447 69

working lands/stewardship programs•••••••••••••••••••••••

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVES PROGRAM

EQIPis a voluntary conservation program that provides technical and financial 

assistance to agricultural producers through contract agreements that can be up to ten years 

in length. These contracts provide financial assistance to help plan and implement 

conservation practices that address natural resource concerns on private, state and Tribal 

agricultural land and non-industrial private forestland.

Congressional 

District Contracts Contracted Acres

Obligation 

Amount

1 27 198,799 $1,060,515

2 244 1,760,309 $12,844,575

3 273 542,732 $9,016,724

Total 544 2,501,309 $22,921,754

Certified Organic

Contracts Obligations Payments Contract 

Acres

7 $71,160 $42,672 622

Cement water trough

Cropland $12 o $22 per acre

Non-Industrial Private 

Forest Land 

$6 to $12 per acre

Pastureland $7 to $14 per acre

Rangeland $5 to $10 per acre

Lesser Prairie Chicken

EQIP 

Initiative EQIP 

Initiative

page 2

Organic Vegetable Farm in Nambe 

Soil water Air plants 

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Lesser Prairie Chicken

EQIP 

Initiative

Burned Lands Initiative

EQIP Contracts EQIP Obligated WHIP Contracts WHIP Obligated Total 

Contracts Total Obligated

14 $538,235 4 $23,147 18 $561,382

FY 2013
Program Description Money 

Obligated

Contract

Acres Contracts

WRP

The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) 

is a voluntary program offering landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on their 

property. NRCS provides technical and financial support 

to help landowners with their wetland restoration efforts.

$926, 000 180 4

GRP

The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is a voluntary 

program that helps landowners and operators restore and 

protect grassland, including rangeland, pastureland, and 

certain other lands, while maintaining the areas as grazing 

lands.

$1.4 million 25,000 4

FRPP

The Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program (FRPP) 

provides matching funds to help purchase development 

rights to keep productive farmland and ranchland in 

agricultural uses. USDA provides up to 50 percent of the 

fair market easement value of the conservation easement. 

$850, 000 15, 000 2

Contracts Obligations Payments Contract 

Acres

4 $55,223 $18,906 125.0

WHIP 

Initiative

Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (FY 2012)

Congressional 

District Contracts Contracted Acres

Obligation 

Amount

1 0 0 $0

2 8 8,324 $297,098

3 3 13,983 $251,240

Total 11 22,307 $548,338

WHIPis a voluntary conservation program for landowners who want to 

develop and improve wildlife habitat on private agricultural land, 

non-industrial private forest land, and Tribal land. WHIP agreements 

between NRCS and the participant generally last from 5 to 10 years from the 

date the agreement is signed.

WILDLIFE HABITAT INCENTIVES PROGRAM

Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative Acequias 

Restore New Mexico is an ambitious partnership initiative to restore New 

Mexico’s grasslands, woodlands and riparian areas to a healthy and 

productive condition. Since the program began in 2005, millions of acres 

have greatly benefitted from cooperative partnership to restore impaired 

wildlife habitat and grazing land in southern and eastern 

New Mexico. Through this partnership initiative New Mexico has 

seen the return of healthy native grasslands, better wildlife habitat, 

and grazing land on a broad scale.

Congressional 

District Contracts Contract Acres Obligations

2 16 6,293 $766,279

3 60 1,751,673 $4,352,952

Total 76 1,757,966 $5,119,231

Southwest Willow 

Flycatcher

Restore 

New Mexico

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

working lands/stewardship initiatives••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Soil water Air plants 

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easements••••••••••••••••••

WRP Blue Hole 

Restoration Project

working lands/stewardship programs •••••••••••••••••••••

2005 to Present

page 3

In FY 2013 NRCS deployed the first ever sign up of the EQIP 

Acequia Initiative. Through the initiative 

four contracts were approved obligating 

$220,000. 

In addition to the EQIP Acequia Initiative 

NRCS conducted construction and certification checkouts on four Acequia projects 

totaling $135,600. 

NRCS assisted 33 Acequias, throughout the state, on planning, 

surveys and design for irrigation systems and water delivery 

improvements. NRCS also provided support to another 11 

Acequias or Community Ditchers to assist in decision making for 

future improvements. NRCS provided outreach to more than 60 

Acequias and community ditches state wide. 
Low 

Hazard

Accomplishments

NRCS New Mexico 2013•••••••••••••••••••••••

NRCS is currently in the planning stages and 

 making upgrades of Dam Rehabilitation for 

 the Santa Cruz Site #1

The design for Hatch Valley Site #6 is 

 underway

47 20

High 

Hazard

Significant

Hazard

Hazard Classification of NRCS Assisted Large 

Dams in New Mexico:

34

CPI

ENGINEERING

EMERGENCY WATERSHED PROTECTION PROGRAM (EWP)

 2011

* Track Fire – Colfax County received $539,000 in EWP Financial Assistance (FA).

* White Fire – Lincoln County was provided with Technical Assistance only (TA).

* Mayhill Fire – Otero County was provided with TA only.

* Los Conchas Fire – some in Los Alamos, Rio Arriba and Sandoval Counties. These counties received EWP FA and TA.

 2012

* Little Bear Fire – Lincoln County received TA and $820,000 in FA. 

* Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire – Catron County received TA and $500,00 in EWP FA.

Soil is a living and life-giving substance, without which we 

would perish. As world population and food production 

demands rise, keeping our soil healthy and productive 

is of paramount importance. So much so that we believe 

improving the health of our Nation’s soil is one of the 

most important endeavors of our time.

New Mexico is focusing more attnetion on soil health by educat- ing customers and the public on positive impacts productive soils 

have on rangelands, croplands, and woodlands.

Unlock the Secrets in the Soil

The 2008 Farm Bill served as the catalyst for the USDA to launch a concerted effort to encourage minority and Under Represented farmers and ranchers to participate in USDA programs. One of the most successful outcomes 

was the Conservation Planning Initiative Workshop conducted in southern 

New Mexico. The Anthony, New Mexico meeting included agricultural producers from northern Mexico. 

NRCS led the multi-agency effort that provided many of the participants 

with the opportunity to learn more about the importance of soil health. 

Attendees learned how to develop Conservation Plans. NRCS also hosted 

CPI workshops in Chama, Carrizozo and Los Lunas. These meetings were 

well attended by minorities and Under-Represented farmers. 

S

O

I

L

S

CONSERVATION PLANNING INITIATIVE (CPI)

EWP 

page 4

Soil water Air plants 

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 2013 

* Tres Lagunas Fire – San Miguel and Santa Fe Counties received EWP TA and the New Mexico Burned Lands 

 Initiative assistance.

* Silver Fire – Grant and Sierra Counties received EWP TA and the New Mexico Burned Lands Initiative assistance.

* September brought unusually heavy rains that resulted in flooding many communities throughout NM. Damaging floods 

 occurred in many parts of the state: Socorro, Grant, Catron, Rio Arriba, Guadalupe and Chaves counties, to name a few. NRCS

 provided TA in most of these locations and worked with local sponsors in several instances to make EWP funds requests. The

 financial assistance is still pending availability of funds.
Accomplishments

NRCS New Mexico 2013•••••••••••••••••••••••

The USDA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

*both fires

page 5

Soil water Air plants 

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Reaching 

out to 

everyone

NRCS New Mexico 

fully understands 

the need to help 

every eligible 

farmer and rancher. We have been 

there for agriculutral producers 

for nearly 80 years 

and will be here to 

help generations to 

come.

Notes AWEP CSP EQIP WHIP

31 Contracts 192 Contracts 1282 contracts 70

$1,956,640 $30,287,364 $39,336,673 $1,449,639

All 

contracts 

including 

non-HU

47 Contracts 545 Contracts 2523 Contracts 121 Contracts

TOTALS $3,513,824 $69,405,545 $95,235,293 $3,109,548

2008 Farm Bill Investments to Historically Underserved (HU), Socially 

Disadvantaged (SD) Farmers and Ranchers in New Mexico

(Note: These data are specific to the assistance provided to HU agricultural producers in New Mexico during the 5-year lifespan of the 2008 Farm Bill.)

TOTAL HU Assistance 1,575 Contracts $73,030,317 4,457,456 acres

All Contracts including HU 3,235 $171,230,500 15,651,755 acres

* HU Clients comprised 49% of all contracts issued from the 2008 Farm Bill

* HU contracts comprised 43% of all funding issued from the 2008 Farm Bill
Accomplishments

NRCS New Mexico 2013•••••••••••••••••••••••

page 6

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StrikeForce Helps Santo Domingo Pueblo

NRCS Helps Build Efficient Irrigation System 

Just off the Rio Grande River sits Santo Domingo Pueblo, a community in New Mexico surrounded by a sea of green -- fields of alfalfa, oats 

and Sudan grass and small gardens to grow fresh vegetables. 

But the community has been at risk of drying out. Over the past few years, New Mexico has struggled through one of our nation’s worst 

droughts. Little rain and a dwindling river have threatened many of the pueblo’s fields and gardens.

“Many of the fields were in fallow because there wasn’t enough water because of the shortage,” said Jonathan Garcia, Water Resources 

Manager for the Pueblo. After partnering with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Department of Interior’s Bureau of 

Reclamation, pueblo residents found a way to grow more using less water, keeping their fields and gardens healthy.

The tribe received financial assistance from NRCS through USDA’s StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity. The national initiative addresses high-priority funding and technical assistance needs in rural communities in 16 states, including New Mexico, with a special emphasis 

on historically underserved communities and producers in counties with persistent poverty.

Pueblo residents worked with NRCS to save water by improving soil health through conservation practices such as rotating crops and planting 

cover crops. Healthy soil retains more moisture, allowing for less water to be applied during irrigation. They also installed an efficient underground water irrigation system to replace some of the aging earthen irrigation ditches to 50 fields that stretched across more than 200 acres.

“The water efficiency improvements have helped out tremendously and everyone in the 200 plus acres is able to plant this season using the 

same amount of water as before,” Garcia said. The new watering system and conservation practices have made all the difference. The onceparched fields of the pueblo are flourishing — a notable feat even in non-drought years. And now fields that used to take two days to irrigate 

can be watered in just four hours.

“The pueblo is applying science to the field hand-in-hand with their traditional methods, and it’s working,” said Jean Foster, an NRCS New 

Mexico soil conservation technician who worked extensively on the project. Much of the work through StrikeForce focuses on encouraging efficient use of water in agricultural operations. “We’re now studying another area just south of our village to consider putting in a similar 

irrigation system for about 300 more acres,” said Garcia. 

“On a scale of 1 to 10, the project’s success has been an 11.” StrikeForce is creating conservation opportunities in rural communities and 

tribes across the nation.

One-on-One Help

Soil Conservationist 

Technician Jean Foster, 

with the NRCS 

Albuquerque District 

office, works with a 

member of the Santo 

Domingo Pueblo during an inspection of the 

recently completed 

irrigation upgrade 

project at the Santo 

Domingo Pueblo.