2026 Food & Farms Day Awards
Good Food for New Mexico Award - Celebrating Farmers' Markets
Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces
Las Cruces, Doña Ana County, NM
The Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces is a nonprofit organization which provides a community gathering place for local farmers, producers, crafters and entertainers to sell and market their products directly to the consumer. They try to address the community’s need for fresh food and provide a family friendly venue for consumers to purchase direct from the producer. They promote strong relationships between the producers and customers and strive to enhance the quality of life of their community by encouraging education, providing connections to local community resources, ensuring access to fresh food for their lower income clientele and providing a safe, fun, family gathering place.
Growing the Future Award - for New or Young Farmers and Ranchers
Skoden Farm LLC
Bloomfield, San Juan County, NM
Skoden Farm is a Diné-owned and woman-owned operation based in Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Founder Kiera McCabe, inspired by her family’s legacy and a passion for agriculture discovered at Fort Lewis College, gained essential expertise working with Bidii Baby Foods LLC, learning to navigate and farm on tribal land. Kiera now serves as a dedicated steward of traditional food heritage.
Skoden Farm LLC cultivates traditional Diné ingredients, with a focus on blue corn and white corn. This harvest is transformed into their signature product line, Skoden Snacks—Indigenous superfood snacks designed for culturally relevant, on-the-go nourishment. A deep commitment to sustainable practices and local sourcing drives Kiera’s work. She is passionately committed to inspiring other Native American youth to embrace farming and agriculture, ensuring this vital tradition is carried forward for future generations. Skoden Farm shares the power of Indigenous foods with the world while honoring its roots.
Heart of the Land Award
for Outstanding Leadership in Farming and Ranching
Gathings Gardens
for Outstanding Leadership in Farming and Ranching
Bloomfield, San Juan County, NM
Gathings Gardens is a small, family-run farm in San Juan County dedicated to growing fresh, seasonal produce using sustainable and community-centered practices. They focus on providing high-quality vegetables and herbs to local schools, families, and community partners through the NM Grown Program and direct local distribution. Their farm is committed to improving food access in the region by keeping produce local, supporting healthy eating, and building relationships with organizations that serve children and families. Through hands-on farming, community engagement, and a focus on regenerative growing methods, Gathings Gardens works to strengthen the local food system and ensure that fresh, nutritious food is available to the people of their county.
Living Land Award
for Outstanding Leadership in Land Stewardship
Running M Farms & Ranches
for Outstanding Leadership in Land Stewardship
Melrose, Curry County, NM
Running M Farms & Ranches, LLC is a family-owned and operated farm on the Llano Estacado of eastern New Mexico, rooted in faith, heritage, and a shared calling to steward God’s creation. In early 2025, this mission expanded to family lands in the forested and mountain meadows of the San Pedro Mountains in northern New Mexico.
Guided by our four pillars of Healthy Soils, Healthy Plants, Healthy Animals, and Healthy People, they apply regenerative agricultural techniques and holistic management, practicing the Principles of Soil Health and the rules of Adaptive Stewardship while harmonizing with natural Ecosystem Processes. Through biomimicry and adaptive grazing, they rotate livestock across native landscapes to build soil structure, improve plant diversity, increase water infiltration, and support resilient wildlife habitat.
They raise Dorper and New Mexico Dahl sheep, and “as God allows this mission to grow,” they plan to expand into a diverse, multi-species grazing system that honors the land for generations to come.
Sowing Change Award
for Organizations Engaged in Creating
Sustainable Food Systems
La Semilla Food Center
for Organizations Engaged in Creating
Sustainable Food Systems
Anthony, Doña Ana County, NM
Sowing Change Award
for Organizations Engaged in Creating
Sustainable Food Systems
New Mexico Agrarian Commons
for Organizations Engaged in Creating
Sustainable Food Systems
Santa Fe & Doña Ana Counties, NM