We believe that by providing youth with opportunities to participate in local traditions of land stewardship, we can create positive social and environmental change in Taos County. Agriculture has always played a vital role in maintaining the health and resilience of arable lands in Northern New Mexico. Despite this rich history, it is relatively difficult for youth to learn about local farming traditions and find viable agricultural work. To address this systemic challenge, we are working to provide youth with opportunities to learn about traditional and regenerative farming, develop agricultural skills, and connect them with mentors in Northern New Mexico. 

Our Growing Together Internship is designed to create a mutually beneficial relationship between high school students and agricultural producers in Taos County. The program simultaneously provides a meaningful work-based learning opportunity to youth interested in agriculture, and a supplementary workforce for farmers and ranchers. In addition, participating farmers and ranchers receive an honorarium for their valuable time and mentorship.

In 2025 we launched the pilot program. Our three paid interns completed a grand total of 100 hours of agricultural work-based learning on 16 different farms and ranches around Taos. Over the course of the five weeks, our interns learned about raising and handling livestock, regenerative grazing methods, irrigating with acequias, growing a food forest, planting and harvesting for a market garden, building soil health, growing and processing heritage grains, preserving crops and much more! 

This program is funded through Taos County’s American Rescue Plan Act grant, in partnership with Taos Community Foundation. Big thank you to our funding partners and all of the farmers and ranchers who participated in bringing this program to life!