NOTE: Doña Ana County (City of Las Cruces), New Mexico is one of the eight Growing Food Connections Communities of Opportunity.

On Monday, June 6, the Las Cruces City Council passed a resolution adopting the Las Cruces Urban Agriculture and Food Policy Plan. The urban ag plan is the first of its kind in New Mexico. Las Cruces is now poised to be an innovator in urban agriculture initiatives in the state, making good use of the rich agricultural, culinary, and cultural heritage of the area. The plan’s recommendations and actions focus on the local level and what the City of Las Cruces can achieve within its jurisdiction together with a range of public, private, and community partners.

By supporting, prioritizing, and incentivizing urban ag activities such as community gardens, community kitchens, farm stands and more, the city can realize the vision of the plan, that “Las Cruces has a resilient food system that fosters healthy communities & residents and contributes to the overall economic, social, cultural, and environmental vitality of the city.”

The plan is driven by the three following goals:
1) A healthy & food-secure community: All residents should have enough to eat and access to affordable, local, healthy, sustainable, and culturally appropriate food.
2) A stronger, more vibrant local economy with more food growing and processing opportunities: Businesses and entrepreneurs that produce, process, distribute, and sell local and healthy food are a key component of a vibrant local economy.
3) Healthier ecosystems and smart environmental resources stewardship: Food related waste should be prevented, reused, or recycled, and natural resources should be used wisely.

The community-driven plan was prepared by the Urban Ag working group of the Mesilla Valley Food Policy Council (MVFPC) with support from Las Cruces city staff in Community Development. This plan would not have been possible without the amazing community support and the expressed support from every member of the Las Cruces City Council, including former District 4 City Councilor Nathan Small, whose voice and vision helped make this plan a reality.

The MVFPC and Urban Ag working group will now begin the implementation phase of the plan, along with the creation of a short community guide on urban ag activities within the city detailing relevant ordinance, necessary permits, and other pertinent information. The plan can be viewed in its entirety on the City of Las Cruces website. If you would like more information or to be involved with the food policy council or working group, please email krysten@lasemillafoodcenter.org.