Rancho Armendariz Receives New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award

Rancho Armendariz of Cuervo has been selected as the New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award® recipient. 

The $10,000 award honors farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners who go above and beyond in their management of soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat on working land. 

Carlos and Nelia Armendariz, who own and operate Rancho Armendariz and A&G Family Meats, were presented with the award at the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts’ 80th Annual Meeting in Albuquerque on October 20.

Sand County Foundation and national sponsor American Farmland Trust present Leopold Conservation Awards to private landowners in 28 states. In New Mexico the award is presented with New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, and Quivira Coalition.

Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the award recognizes landowners who inspire others with their dedication to environmental improvement. In his influential 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, Leopold advocated for “a land ethic,” an ethical relationship between people and the land they own and manage. 

New Mexico landowners were encouraged to apply, or be nominated, for the award earlier this year. Applications were evaluated by an independent panel of agricultural and conservation leaders from New Mexico. 

ABOUT RANCHO ARMENDARIZ 

Carlos and Nelia Armendariz immigrated from Mexico in 1989 with little more than determination and a deep respect for the land. 

With their two young sons, Jim and Jovani, they worked hard as ranch hands and sheepherders, learning, saving, and quietly nurturing a dream of their own. 

By 2002, they acquired a small grazing lease for 12 head of cattle. Years of experience had taught them that if they took care of the land, it would take care of them. 

Many of the properties the Armendariz family first leased were in poor ecological condition. Overuse had left them with spots of bare ground, low vegetation diversity and declining forage productivity. Within a few years of thoughtful grazing management and timely rains, these parcels transitioned into productive, biologically diverse grassland savannas. 

Their stewardship caught the attention of landowners who agreed to lease the Armendarizes more land. Eventually, they were able to purchase their own land. Since then, the family has built more than a ranch, but a legacy.

Rancho Armendariz and its leased properties consist of 14,000 acres spread across De Baca, Guadalupe, Quay and Roosevelt counties. 

Since 2017, the family has installed nine solar pumps, four miles of water pipelines, 14 watering facilities, and more than nine miles of cross fencing. All these upgrades were to improve the grazing distribution of their 250 beef cattle. 

The use of telemetry water-level sensors monitors water levels in remote storage tanks which saves time and money. The recent deployment of 350 virtual fencing collars on cattle has enabled precision grazing at a scale rarely seen in this region. Rotational grazing and the creation of 32 erosion control structures promote soil health and biodiverse range conditions. 

The investment in vegetation management and restoration at Rancho Armendariz has been equally significant. More than 5,000 acres of mesquite and juniper have been removed, reducing the risk of wildfire while conserving soil moisture. Another 700 acres of prescribed burning has allowed native grasses to reestablish, which provides increased forage for grazing and enhanced wildlife habitat. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the beef supply chain, the Armendarizes founded A&G Family Meats, a direct-to-consumer meat company. Selling grass-finished beef, lamb, and pork, has strengthened the ranch’s economic resilience. 

Carlos and Nelia encouraged their sons to pursue degrees in agriculture-related fields. Jim went on to serve as State Rangeland Management Specialist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. Jovani is a veterinarian. Together, with their education, experience, work ethic, and passion for conservation, they round out a strong ranch team. 

True ambassadors for conservation and agriculture, the Armendariz family is eager to share what they’ve learned and have been instrumental in helping others embrace conservation practices. 

But this family’s story is not just about cattle or conservation, it’s a tale of grit and grace across generations. 

Vincen Cordova, the chairman of the Guadalupe Soil and Water Conservation District had this to say about the family’s selection for the New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award. 

“With this recommendation, we do not just honor a ranching family. We honor dreamers, doers, mentors, and pioneers. A family who reminds us that the American Dream is alive and well – and sometimes, that dream wears boots and a cowboy hat.” 

ACCOLADES

“The Armendariz family exemplifies the commitment to stewardship and sustainability that is so important to New Mexico agriculture. Their dedication to caring for the land and preparing it for future generations is truly deserving of recognition,” said Larry Reagan, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau President. 

“The Armendariz family is an example to all of us that hard work, thoughtful conservation, and determination can have an incredible impact on New Mexico’s landscapes and communities. We’re excited to honor that work that Rancho Armendariz has done since they started with 12 head of cattle in 2002, and are looking forward to highlighting their inspiring story at the REGENERATE Conference,” said Xochitl Torres Small, Quivira Coalition Executive Director. 

“We are very proud and impressed with all the work the Armendariz family has done in New Mexico. Jovani serves on the Southwest Quay Soil and Water Conservation District, and Jim is the State Range Conservationist with USDA NRCS. The family has done a great job raising sons that are contributing to New Mexico in many ways,” said Josh Smith, NMACD President.

“These award recipients are examples of how Aldo Leopold’s land ethic is alive and well today,” said Kevin McAleese, Sand County Foundation President and CEO. “Their dedication to conservation is both an inspiration to their peers as well as a reminder to all how important thoughtful agriculture is to clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat.”

“As the national sponsor for Sand County Foundation’s Leopold Conservation Award, American Farmland Trust celebrates the hard work and dedication of the award recipients,” said John Piotti, AFT President and CEO. “At AFT we believe that exemplary conservation involves the land itself, the practices employed on the land, and the people who steward it. This award recognizes the integral role of all three.”

Among the outstanding New Mexico landowners nominated for the award were finalists: JT Land and Cattle of Newkirk, Pitchfork Ranch of Silver City, and Three Mile Hill LCC of Animas. Last year’s award recipient was Viramontes Farms of Luna County. 

Sand County Foundation’s New Mexico Leopold Conservation Award is made possible through the generous support of American Farmland Trust, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, Quivira Coalition, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services of New Mexico, American AgCredit, and Western Landowners Alliance.