Beef production is the second largest agricultural sector after dairy in new mexico

There are over 7,000 ranches in the state. Most new mexico ranches are small providing minimal income. Ranchers customarily sell weaned calves at auction that are transported out-of-state to large corporate plants for fattening and processing. New mexico consumers then buy meat at the grocery of unknown origin that is shipped back in-state. The CSP grant planning project will work with a number of team members including the community pantry food bank in gallup, the wholehearted food fund, two small, local meat processors - mesa meats and western way, native and non-native ranchers, the pueblo of acoma and specialized consultants. Economic data will be analyzed, and a plan developed to first work with the not-for-profit wholehearted food fund that will purchase locally grown cattle at a premium from new mexico ranchers and process meat locally. Meat will be provided to regional food banks and to the food distribution program on indian reservation (fdpir) for distribution. The plan will also provide a business case study for a vertically integrated system at acoma pueblo whereby tribal ranchers will be able to process their meat locally for sales to commercial tribal food venues in addition to the tribal fdpir program, fostering tribal food sovereignty, security and independence. Workshops will be provided to ranchers as to how to economically bring livestock to slaughter weight on the ranch. The project will create a model whereby ranchers receive premium pricing for their cattle by eliminating transportation, feedlot, middlemen and marketing costs. The money from these activities that normally go out of-state will remain in the local economy. Low-income people who receive food benefits will receive healthy, pasture-raised meat protein and learn about the benefits of local production for local consumption. A business plan will be developed for a vertically integrated tribal business whereby a tribe (acoma pueblo) will purchase meat from its own rancher tribal members to supply quality meat products to tribal food venues, benefitting tribal ranchers, tribal food businesses and the tribal economy.