News from the Foundation

Las Cruces, New Mexico. April 13, 2023 – AVANGRID, a leading sustainable energy company and part of the Iberdrola Group, is the newest corporate sponsor of New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC). As a Gold Apple Sponsor, their $10,000 contribution will help NMAITC enhance its agricultural literacy efforts among Pre-K-12th grade New Mexico classroom teachers and their students.

“We sincerely appreciate AVANGRID for their support of our New Mexico agricultural literacy initiatives,” said Elizabeth Foster, CEO of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau and secretary/treasurer of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation. “In 2022, we reached more than 15,000 students, teachers, and volunteers, representing a 184% increase over the previous year. We anticipate AVANGRID’s support will allow us to increase our impact this year.”

“We are thrilled to support this partnership with the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation, which reflects our steadfast commitment to making a meaningful, positive impact in the communities where we are present,” said Pedro Azagra, CEO of AVANGRID. “We believe that this partnership will increase agricultural literacy throughout New Mexico, and we’re excited to see the results and keep collaborating.”

AVANGRID owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States and employs more than 7,500 people across the country. The company has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, AVANGRID ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. AVANGRID is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom is the educational outreach program of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Foundation. The purpose of NMAITC is to educate the general public, with an emphasis on Pre-K-12th students and educators, about the importance of agriculture. Website: www.nmaitc.org

The New Mexico Grow Project Grant, now celebrating the fifth year of helping students and educators across the state explore agriculture and natural resource connections, is excited to announce the 2023-2024 grant awardees. This special project is made possible by an educational partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in New Mexico, and New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC). The grant provides each recipient with a classroom hydroponic system, fully assembled 4’x 8’ raised bed with hoop and drip irrigation systems, and everything needed to get growing from the garden hose to the soil and seeds. Trainings and step by step support with experts in the field help assure that each recipient is able to use the materials, troubleshoot any issues and have access to great K-12 Ag in the Classroom curriculum connections to assure success.

Grant recipients have great plans for their grant materials and training.

“Students will learn how vital it is to grow their own food, become more knowledgeable on healthy eating and understand how important New Mexico agriculture truly is,”said grant recipient, Alisha Day, with Tularosa Middle School.

“With these grant materials, Dream Diné staff and partners will provide a richness of expertise and Indigenous knowledge around gardening and agriculture,” said Nadine Chatto, principal at Dream Diné Charter School in Shiprock, NM. “It will help provide an excellent living classroom resource to help students reinforce their learning of productive skills in all subjects as well as the Diné and English languages and cultures.”

“The New Mexico Grow Project Grants cultivate collaboration and empower young minds to embrace agriculture. It’s a remarkable partnership between NRCS and NMAITC, inspiring students and educators with agricultural knowledge and tools including but not limited to hydroponic systems, raised beds, and unwavering support. We are nurturing a future where knowledge thrives,” said Alicia Rodriguez, NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Partnerships.

“The educators participating in the New Mexico Grow Project are always the type that go above and beyond and it is truly a joy to get to work with them,” said Traci Curry, Director of New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom. “Each year we keep growing the NM Grow Project family and many teachers are happy to come back the following year to assist in the training workshops of the new participants to better illustrate their successes and learning experiences.”

Congratulations to these schools receiving a 2023-2024 NM Grow Project Grant:

• Dream Diné Charter School, Shiprock, NM, Nadine Chatto

• Central Primary, Bloomfield, NM, Christina Stamets

• Van Buren Middle School, Albuquerque, NM, Jessica King

• Albuquerque Institute of Science & Mathematics, Albuquerque, NM, Donna Brown

• Grants High School, Grants, NM, Amador Gonzales

• Santo Niño Regional Catholic School, Santa Fe, NM, Lia Martinez de Armendariz

• Longfellow Elementary, Raton, NM, Geneva Sandoval

• West Las Vegas High School, Las Vegas, NM, Etta Bustos

• Sixth Street Elementary, Silver City, NM, Holly Haworth

• Tularosa Middle School, Tularosa, NM, Alisha Day

• Nancy Lopez Elementary, Roswell, NM, Kimberly Cavin

• Cloudcroft High School, Cloudcroft, NM, Joni Watson

Anyone interested in applying for this grant is invited to attend one of the free summer workshop trainings that will provide the information to help their applications stand out in the crowd. Registration closes July 7, 2023 for each workshop and the easy online registration form can ,be found at https:// form.jotform.com/91183897031158.

The NM Grow Project workshop schedule this year is as follows:

• Friday, July 14th, at Van Buren Middle School in Albuquerque, NM

• Tuesday, July 18th, at Tularosa High School in Tularosa, NM

• Tuesday, July 25th, at Santo Niño Regional Catholic School, Santa Fe, NM

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Services is an agency committed to “helping people help the land.” For more than 80 years, NRCS has made investments in farm, ranch, and forest operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and habitat, keep working lands working, boost rural economies, and increase the competitiveness of American agriculture. Their mission is to deliver conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect natural resources and feed a growing world.

New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC) is a non-profit educational outreach program funded primarily by the membership of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau. The purpose of NMAITC is to educate the general public, with an emphasis on K-12 students and educators, about the importance of agriculture. Visit us at www.nmaitc. org for more information.

New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau is a 20,000-member organization comprised of farmers and ranchers, and those who are interested in private property rights and a local food supply. NMF&LB is the state’s largest, private agricultural organization and was founded in 1917. For information about joining us, please call 575-532-4703 or visit www.nmflb.org.