Agriculture
Agriculture
Santa Fe County’s agricultural heritage spans over three centuries and has significantly shaped local communities. Today, agriculture remains a vital part of the county’s culture, history, and rural economy. Opportunities in urban areas focus on value-added industries utilizing the county’s agricultural products.
Industry Trends
According to the 2022 agricultural census, there are approximately 591 farms and ranches in the county, covering 494,844 acres, or 41% of the county’s total land area. The majority of this land (over 95%) is pastureland, with the remainder used for cropland. Most farms are small, with 68% under 50 acres and 49% less than 10 acres. Larger farms and ranches (over 1,000 acres) are rare, representing only 8% of all farms in the county.
Despite a decline in overall agricultural production, Santa Fe County hosts a variety of value-added agriculture companies, including the state’s second-largest tortilla factory, salsa and southwestern food producers, breweries, and distilleries. The county also boasts numerous farmers markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and local food events. There is a growing emphasis on enhancing procurement from local agricultural enterprises to strengthen the value-added agricultural economy, retail sector, and local culture and tourism.