Food & Farms Day of Advocacy
at the New Mexico Legislature

January 30, 2025
NM Capitol

Legislative sponsors: Representative Joanne Ferrary, Senator Liz Stefanics, and Senator Pete Campos

 

2025 Food & Farms Day Awardees

Bios and photos for Food & Farms Day Awardees
Good Food for New Mexico Award | Celebrating Farmers’ Markets
Silver City Farmers Market
Growing the Future Award | for New or Young Farmers and Ranchers
Casey Holland | Chispas Farm
Heart of the Land Award | for Outstanding Leadership in Farming
and Ranching

Bryce Townsend | Black Mesa Farm
Living Land Award | for Outstanding Leadership in Land Stewardship
Melanie Kirby | Zia Queenbees Farm & Field Institute
Sowing Change Award | for Organizations Engaged in Creating Sustainable Food Systems
NM Public Education Department
 

JANUARY 30 SCHEDULE

  • 8am – 12 noon: Tabling in the East Wing of the Capitol
  • 9am – 10 am: NM Food & Farms Day Awards Ceremony in the Rotunda of the Capitol
  • 10:10 – 10:45 am: Group meets with Legislators and members of the Legislative Hunger Caucus to discuss priority legislation (Room 307)
  • 10:45 – 11:00 am: Present NM Food & Farms Day Awards to Senators Stefanics and Campos
  • 11:00 – 11:30 am: Meeting with Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury and Staff (tentative) and awards presentation to Senators Liz Stefanics and Pete Campos in Senate Chambers
  • 11:30 am: Senate to present NM Food & Farms Day Certificate
  • 11:30 am – 12 noon: Senate Chambers recognizes NM Food & Farms Day and Awardees on Rostrum 
  • 12 noon – 12:15pm: Group photo on west side of Capitol
  • Locally-sourced lunch salads provided for all Legislators by Meals on Wheels

ABOUT FOOD & FARMS DAY AND THE AWARDS

This annual event, including the Food & Farms Day Awards, celebrates the efforts of individuals, communities, organizations, and agencies that strive to create a thriving and resilient local food, farming and ranching economy, while at the same time emphasizing that everyone in the state deserves access to fresh, healthy, nutritional food.

Food & Farms Day provides an opportunity to highlight the intersection between health, sustainable food systems, and the economic wellbeing of our farms and ranches. It also speaks to the ways we work together to increase affordable and healthy food access. It addresses the idea that thriving food systems encourage entrepreneurship and leadership, and reinforces the benefits of cooperation and coordination along with the intersection of informed policy making. Included in the day’s activities are visits to the legislative offices to personally engage with policy makers, telling stories about the importance of local food and farming, and advocating for specific policy issues.

Parking for events at the Capitol: There is a free parking garage to the west of the Capitol, located at 485 Galisteo St, which is within walking distance of the Capitol. Plan to arrive early in order to secure a spot because the garage will fill up. You may also be able to park at the PERA parking lot which is located to the east of the Capitol across Old Santa Fe Trail. Beyond that, you may be able to find metered parking on the surrounding streets. Please do not use the designated parking at the Capitol or at local businesses. Pay attention to parking signs and do not park illegally, as parking regulations are enforced.

New Mexico Food & Farms Day of Advocacy is produced by Farm to Table and the NM Food & Agriculture Policy Council. 

Photo credit: Gabriella Marks