Journal of NACAA

Farm Size and Agricultural Extension Programs? Insights from New Mexico's US Agriculture Census Data

ISSN 2158-9429

Volume 18, Issue 1 - June 2025

Editor: Linda Chalker-Scott

Abstract

Agricultural production in New Mexico is characterized by a sharp disparity between farm sizes. A small proportion (13.6%) of large farms accounts for the majority (92.8%) of agricultural output ($2.7 billion), while small farms represent the majority of farming operations (73.8). This article examines the implications of these structural differences for agricultural extension programming. Based on the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture and the authors’ field-based expertise, the study identifies key programming areas where extension needs diverge by farm size: water and soil management, labor shortages, machinery, livestock management, marketing strategies, and food safety compliance. Findings suggest that differentiated extension approaches, tailored to the resource base and operational realities of small and large farms, are necessary to improve extension program delivery and effectiveness. Addressing these differences will require additional resources, strategic prioritization, and flexible extension models responsive to New Mexico’s diverse agricultural landscape.

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