The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission (NMISC) have launched a cover crop initiative in the Lower Rio Grande valley. This initiative aims to conserve groundwater and improve soil health.
Starting in summer 2024, NMDA and NMISC partnered with Caballo Soil and Water Conservation District and Doña Ana Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to provide cover crop seeds to agricultural producers in the region. The effort is supported by NMDA’s Healthy Soil Program, which helps local farmers use cover crops while fallowing land to conserve groundwater. Cover crops can restore nutrients, improve soil structure, and retain moisture.
New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte stated, “I’m proud that producers throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley were given the opportunity to participate in this special collaboration to learn more about importance of cover crops and supporting healthy soil in our state.”
The multi-species cover crop was planted post-harvest to protect soil from erosion, retain moisture from snow, block weeds, moderate temperature, and support healthy soil life. Unlike cash crops such as chile, onions, and pecans, cover crops are used primarily for soil protection and improvement.
Many farmers participating in this program had previously enrolled in NMISC’s Lower Rio Grande Groundwater Conservation Program. This program compensates them for temporarily taking their farms out of production to save groundwater.
Las Cruces-area farmer Deciderio Alvarez noted that the effectiveness of the cover crop varied by soil type. “The cover crop did very well in the heavier/silty soils located on our top field but not as well on the lighter/silty sand soil located on our lower field,” Alvarez said. Despite these differences, he found it effective at preventing topsoil loss and weed growth.
SWCDs coordinate technical and financial assistance from various sources at local, state, and federal levels to address natural resource concerns like soil erosion. Jennifer Kleitz from Doña Ana SWCD remarked that "this grant is a wonderful opportunity for Dona Ana SWCD to work closely with its local producers."
The program seeks to improve soil health across New Mexico's managed lands by awarding grants for beneficial practices implementation.
