Fall Issue: From the Earth

While most New Mexicans may point to water scarcity as their top agricultural concern, if you ask any farmer, you will likely hear that the secret to a bountiful season is soil health. In New Mexico, attaining such health is easier said than done. Much of our desert state contains soil deprived of sufficient organic matter to fertilize our terra firma; even our most arable land requires careful management of nutrients, soil biota, and pH to bring forth its riches.

Lucky for us, New Mexicans are a hardy lot, and our state benefits from a multitude of dedicated farmers, composters, home gardeners, viticulturists, and researchers who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty—in order to curb food waste and CO2 emissions, promote community involvement, and cultivate the soil that provides our food. To transform mere dirt into viable soil is a long-term investment. In this issue we look at New Mexicans willing to contribute to that investment. Whether it’s practicing biodynamic and restorative agriculture, reappropriating organic materials, training a new generation of food producers, or incorporating products with a regional terroir into our cuisine, these groups and individuals understand that their contributions are essential to the long-term environmental and economic success of our state.

Building soil is about giving back, literally, to the earth—but it’s also about giving back to our community, today and for generations to come. We hope this issue inspires new ways, both in and out of the kitchen, to reinvest in the land around us. Dig in!

While most New Mexicans may point to water scarcity as their top agricultural concern, if you ask any farmer, you will likely hear that the secret to a bountiful season is soil health. In New Mexico, attaining such health is easier said than done. Much of our desert state contains soil deprived of sufficient organic matter to fertilize our terra firma; even our most arable land requires careful management of nutrients, soil biota, and pH to bring forth its riches.

Lucky for us, New Mexicans are a hardy lot, and our state benefits from a multitude of dedicated farmers, composters, home gardeners, viticulturists, and researchers who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty—in order to curb food waste and CO2 emissions, promote community involvement, and cultivate the soil that provides our food. To transform mere dirt into viable soil is a long-term investment. In this issue we look at New Mexicans willing to contribute to that investment. Whether it’s practicing biodynamic and restorative agriculture, reappropriating organic materials, training a new generation of food producers, or incorporating products with a regional terroir into our cuisine, these groups and individuals understand that their contributions are essential to the long-term environmental and economic success of our state.

Building soil is about giving back, literally, to the earth—but it’s also about giving back to our community, today and for generations to come. We hope this issue inspires new ways, both in and out of the kitchen, to reinvest in the land around us. Dig in!