SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
The Alliance Region includes a rich history of agricultural practices. The Alliance will provide resources and foster practices that are holistic and promote stewardship. Challenges facing agriculture will be substantial and the Alliance will work to implement opportunities that help farmers and ranchers in the region.
CURRENT AND RECENT PROJECTS
The Chama Peak Land Alliance (CPLA) is a nonprofit organization founded by ranchers to practice and promote conservation in the Rio Chama and San Juan Headwaters region. Members of the Alliance represent a land area that ranges from 12,000 feet and the Continental Divide to around 7,00 feet. The membership currently consists of forested land blocks of approximately 200,000 acres but is continually growing and adding members.
The Foundation for a Better Tomorrow Grant was received in 2022, and CPLA held two fall workshops, in addition to participating in several community and county meetings regarding drought, diminishing water, conservation and climate change.
Drought Workshops
Two workshops were held in fall of 2022 (October 13, November 10) Both centered around drought and diminishing water issues for landowners in the region. Twenty participants attended each workshop. In addition, CPLA Program Manager, Sage Faulkner, hosts a weekly radio show called The Farm and Ranch Show and three radio shows featured topics or guests from the workshops.
As a result of the workshops, Sage was asked to participate in a “building regional agricultural and water resilience” committee with several of the guest speakers. In addition, as a result of the discussion with Mr. Erdmann from the NM Interstate Stream Commission (NMISSC), several of those on the committee are working to connect locals impacted by the 50-year plan that is being rolled out by the NMISSC.
Here is a link to one of the recorded radio shows Farm & Ranch Show with Sage Faulkner
In addition, several of the CPLA newsletters featured the workshops and information from the workshops. The networking for staff has been a key benefit as we move forward in water and drought resource building for our region.
Finally, for the Rio Chama Watershed Partnership Congreso (annual event centered around watershed health) the Executive Director of the NM Acequia Association, Paula Garcia, was the keynote speaker. The collaboration with NMAA in the earlier workshops helped build partnerships for CPLA and we look forward to continuing this and other partnerships as a result of these workshops.
The Alliance Region includes a rich history of agricultural practices. The Alliance will provide resources and foster practices that are holistic and promote stewardship. Challenges facing agriculture will be substantial and the Alliance will work to implement opportunities that help farmers and ranchers in the region.
Fruit Grower Workshop
In the spring of 2023, CPLA sponsored a session during the 2023 NMSU Cooperative Extensions Services annual fruit grower workshop. The workshop was attended by over 70 participants at the rural events center in Abiquiu, NM. The session was about no-till practices for orchardists and efficient water management for diminishing water resources.
Wildlife Conservation Workshop: Owl Boxes
In April, CPLA hosted a wildlife conservation workshop to educate participants about owls.
Ten participants joined us for a half-day workshop learning about the benefits of barn owls, the dangers of secondary poisoning, and left with a barn owl box for their properties. According to Ed MacKerrow, barn owls have not been spotted in the CPLA region but used to be here. The hope is that the placement of and understanding of the important role the owl will allow the owls to return to the area. CPLA will monitor the progress and continue to offer the owl box resources to members.
The opportunity to offer hands-on and educational workshops for landowners has been a great resource for CPLA. We will continue to offer workshops and provide these resources. CPLA is deeply thankful to Foundation for a Better Tomorrow for the opportunity.
