The New Mexico Healthy Soils Initiative - Regenerative Agriculture for a Better Future

We are at a critical time for agriculture and the environment. The realities of extreme weather events, conflicts over water, the blight of rural communities, and diminishing natural resources are bearing down on all New Mexicans, with farmers and ranchers at the forefront of these serious problems. At the same time, awareness that soil stewardship can be part of the solution to the climate crisis has been rising and new approaches, mutually beneficial for agriculture and the environment, are gaining traction. Agriculturalists are looking for ways to improve their soil, but they require know-how, sustained technical assistance, help in over- coming institutional barriers, financial incentives, and risk mitigation.

Host Jim O'Donnell talks with Isabelle Jenniches of the NM Healthy Soils Initiative and rancher Tommy Casados of Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. This episode was recorded at the studios of Taos Sound and Media in Taos, New Mexico on April 1, 2020. Produced by Jim O'Donnell. Recorded and edited by Brett Tomadin of Taos Sound and Media (www.taossound.com/)

CLARIFICATION: The Healthy Soil Program is administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA), not by the Healthy Soil Working Group which is the advocacy organization behind the bill. NMDA developed the program and is administering the funds.

Links in this episode:
http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/nmda-homepage/divisions/apr/healthy-soil-program/
https://www.nmhealthysoil.org/about-2/
https://www.instagram.com/c4farms/

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