ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico's College of Population Health has secured its first-ever education grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This funding will support the creation of an innovative program aimed at training future conservationists.

The Partnership for Agricultural Sustainability and Education (PASE) program, led by Professor Francisco Soto Mas, is a three-year initiative with a budget of $700,000. The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing the funds. The program's goal is to establish a professional certification that promotes climate-smart conservation and traditional agricultural practices. It also aims to support small-scale farming and local food systems while educating students and farmers about NRCS technical assistance and resources.

"This grant represents a crucial step in providing additional educational opportunities for underserved populations," said Soto Mas, who has extensive experience in medicine and public health. PASE is part of the Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements, a federal initiative designed to expand conservation assistance delivery to underserved producers and communities.

Soto Mas emphasized the collaboration between the College of Population Health and UNM's Sustainability Studies Program. "We're building on existing educational and community resources at Sustainability Studies, and a decade of successful public health research on organic farming to create additional pathways for students interested in sustainability and conservation."

Community partnerships are integral to the certification program, including Bernalillo County's "Grow the Growers" initiative, which offers hands-on training for new farmers. Students will gain field experience credits through work at South Valley farms and collaborations with organizations like AgriCultura Network, which supports local farming communities, along with the local NRCS office.

"The certification program will serve as a bridge between academic learning and practical field experience," said Soto Mas. "By combining classroom instruction with hands-on training at local farms, we're preparing students for meaningful careers in conservation and sustainable agriculture."

The approval process for this grant involved coordination among multiple agencies. "The process required careful coordination between UNM's Main Campus, the Health Sciences Center Office of Sponsored Projects, and USDA programs and officials," noted Soto Mas.

Plans are underway to launch the certificate program within the next year using existing curriculum resources at UNM’s Central Campus and College of Population Health.

"We're optimistic about the program's potential to create new opportunities for students while advancing our understanding of sustainable agriculture," said Soto Mas. His research includes studying organic farmers' safety across five states: New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.

The PASE program marks an expansion of UNM's dedication to environmental sustainability and educational equity. This builds on Soto Mas's research funded by entities such as Bernalillo County’s Open Space and Thornburg Foundation. He has led over 40 research studies with more than 70 peer-reviewed publications.

Key personnel involved include Marygold Walsh-Dilley from Geography and Environmental Studies; Laura Nervi from Population Health; Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez from Population Health.