Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** non-technical summary:the…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** non-technical summary:the overarching goal of the taos county economic development corporation's (TCEDC) proposed large standard grant project increasing production of and access to local meats in northern new mexico is to inspire and empower beginning ranchers to become financially successful while using climate smart, regenerative practices to produce nutritious meat products in the counties of taos, mora, colfax and RIO arriba located in the mountains of northern new mexico. This project addresses regional food security through intergenerational transfer of culturally appropriate ranching skills and knowledge through year-long mentorships with an emphasis on livestock production practices that are climate smart and will preserve and enhance soil, animal and human health. We will increase market opportunities for meat producers through consumer and producer educational programs, on-ranch tours and demonstrations of livestock production built on a foundation of soil, animal, human and environmental health.during this project we will focus on meat production and marketing of local meats and value-added meat products to coincide with the return to operation of the TCEDC mobile livestock slaughter unit (MLSU) and processing facilities. We will again provide northern new mexico with USDA certified local meat slaughter and processing. This is the perfect time to work hard to provide training and services aimed at increasing the number of new and beginning ranchers and making sure that all ranchers have the skills and knowledge to operate financially secure and environmentally responsible livestock operations.to inspire beginning ranchers and capitalize on the generational knowledge and skill sets of our traditional hispanic and indigenous ranchers, we propose 1) developing and implementing a culturally appropriate mentorship program 2) sponsoring ranch tours and educational materials featuring climate smart and regenerative practices, 3) offering intensive trainingto beginning ranchers in marketing and adding value to their meat products and 4) offering intensive training in financial management including developing solid business plans, financial risk management and setting up successful systems for record keeping and taxes. We will work closely with the flower hill institute, new mexico farmers' marketing association, farmers' outreach solutions and new mexico state university (NMSU) to develop our educational components and with local high schools, 4-H, not forgotten outreach non-profit, and the rios DEL norte ranchers CO-OP to develop our mentorship program and schedule tours of climate smart livestock operations. Through these efforts we hope to continue the generational sharing of local ranching knowledge while introducing new practices and skills to RE-localize meat production in a climate smart way that will insure clean air and water, healthy soils and financial stability for generations of livestock producers while providing PL, entiful, healthy protein for the peoples in northern new mexico.