New Mexico’s farmers, ranchers, and food security organizations are facing severe consequences due to federal funding freezes and agency layoffs. Despite court rulings ordering the release of obligated federal funds, critical projects remain stalled, leading to layoffs, mounting debt, and halted conservation work ahead of an expected hot and dry season.

The USDA has committed over $5.6 billion in contracts to New Mexico for food production, distribution, and conservation. Of this, $133.4 million was allocated for conservation projects through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in 2024, funded by the Farm Bill and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). However, the Trump Administration’s freeze on IRA-related EQIP funding has stalled $26.8 million intended for completed conservation projects.

On February 20, 2025, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the release of the first set of frozen EQIP IRA funds. Still, delays persist due to layoffs at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), which manages EQIP contracts. NRCS staffing in New Mexico had increased to 161 employees, with a target of 190 by year-end, but 35 staff members were laid off in February. These cuts slow reimbursement processing and erode institutional knowledge needed for efficiency.

Further compounding the crisis, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and NRCS have begun closing offices, including Clovis, Roswell, Gallup, and Raton—four of 58 nationwide closures—with no relocation plans for displaced staff or critical paper records, including easement filings.

Beyond conservation, federal funding delays are restricting market access for farmers and ranchers, jeopardizing programs essential for local food systems. The Specialty Crop Block Grant, Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure, and Local Food Purchase Assistance programs face a $7.5 million funding shortfall, delaying infrastructure improvements and food distribution to food-insecure New Mexicans. Funding for public schools to buy locally grown food is also at risk. Meanwhile, the Nutrition Incentive Program, which boosts fruit and vegetable purchases for low-income SNAP recipients, is under review with no clear timeline for reopening proposals.

Farmers and ranchers are also vital to climate resilience efforts. Programs like the Regional Conservation Partnership Program and Climate Smart Commodities fund wildfire risk reduction, water conservation, and soil health projects, helping New Mexico communities withstand natural disasters.

If USDA fails to fulfill its financial obligations, New Mexico will face increased farm losses, rising food insecurity, and reduced capacity to prepare for drought and wildfire. Urgent action is needed to prevent lasting damage to the state’s agricultural and food systems.

Please share this information with others you think might benefit from knowing. We would also like to hear from you, your organization, or the farmers you work with. We’ve created this survey which will remain open to gather stories and feedback about how food, farming, and conservation are being impacted in New Mexico. Please share broadly and respond when you have stories you would like to share.