Dear Acequia Community,

Each month, we gather and share resources to strengthen the web of support for our agricultural and acequia communities. These tools, events, and opportunities come from many partners, reflecting the shared work of caring for the land and water. By connecting you with this information, we hope to make it easier to learn, collaborate, and grow together.  

Please join us for our fall NMAA in-person workshop this Friday, October 17th. We will be planting garlic, saffron, and winter wheat, and also take some time to build and fill a raised bed. 

The government shutdown is affecting USDA offices. NRCS employees are furloughed and offices are closed currently. This means that new applications cannot be submitted at this time. There may still be time to get an application in for EQIP cost-share program before the October 17th EQIP deadline, but the alternative is to get on the Spring 2026 batching deadline when the USDA offices do open. 

For more information, an article was published that can help you get an idea of all USDA programs are impacted. 

For those who have already submitted EQIP applications for 2025, there is a webinar October 22nd at 10am for producer financing. The 0% Interest Bridge loan for EQIP offers financing to producers with EQIP contracts with no fees, no interest, and no penalties. As many know, EQIP follows a reimbursement model, so this bridge loan helps folks cover the up-front costs of installing EQIP practices.

If you're a producer in the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District, here's a great opportunity to have your voice heard about water and farming in the district. These small-group conversations are a chance for you to share your experiences, ideas, and concerns directly with those shaping local programs and policies. Participants will receive a $50 Amazon gift card as a thank-you, along with coffee and donuts during the discussion.

Two sessions are available:

Wednesday, October 22 | 10–11:30 AM

Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, 9800 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM

Wednesday, October 29 | 2–3:30 PM

New Mexico Tech campus, 801 Leroy Pl, Socorro, NM

Space is limited, so please reserve your spot by emailing mrgsurvey@unm.edu or calling/texting me at 505-456-0638.

In solidarity,

The New Mexico Acequia Association

www.lasacequias.org

(505) 995-9644