USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) mission is to provide technical, financial and conservation assistance to landowners, operators, and producers in order to assist them in voluntarily conserving and protecting the natural resources on their land. One of the key tools for NRCS to accomplish this mission is through the Local Work Groups (LWGs). LWGs are made up of community members, conservation district personnel and local NRCS Teams, who come together to identify and prioritize conservation needs in their communities. NRCS works closely with LWGs to ensure conservation programs and activities are tailored to meet the specific needs of each local area.

Planning for FY 2026 Annual Local Work Group meetings are currently in the process. Dates, times, and locations for the meetings will be posted below as they are announced for each team.

Fiscal Year 2026

Team 1: Aztec, Crownpoint, Gallup, Grants

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Lava, McKinley, and San Juan
Date & Time: Wednesday September 10, 2025
In-Person Location: San Juan SWCD Office, 301 McWilliams, Rd Aztec, NM 87410 
Virtual: San Juan LWG Virtual Meeting Link
Call-in: :+1 (202) 650-0123, 236940171, Phone conference ID: 236 940 171# 
Contact: Katie Pritchett, 505-634-5620,  katherine.pritchett@usda.gov

Team 2: Albuquerque, Cuba, Los Lunas

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Ciudad, Coronado, Cuba and Valencia
Date & Time: TBA
In-Person Location: 
Virtual: Team 2 LWG Virtual Meeting Link
Contact: 
 

Team 3: Chama, Hernandez, Santa Fe, Taos

Date & Time: TBA
In-Person Location:
Virtual: Virtual Meeting Link
Contact: Taos Soil & Water Conservation District, (575) 751-0584

Team 4: Mora, Las Vegas, Raton

Date & Time: TBA 
Location: 
Contact: Jack Martinez, (575) 285 - 0575
 Jack.Martinez@usda.gov

Team 5: Estancia, Fort Sumner, Mountainair, Santa Rosa

Date & Time: TBA
Location: 
Contact: Kenneth Lujan, 505-384-2272 ext. 3  
 Kennet.Lujan@usda.gov

Team 6: Clayton, Roy, Tucumcari

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Mesa & Ute Creek 

Date & Time: Tuesday August 19th at 10 AM 
In-Person Location: Headquarters Restaurant, 20 Main Street, Mosquero, NM
Virtual: Virtual Meeting Link
Contact: local NRCS office, 575-461-2294, or Stacie Martinez, 575-485-2294, Stacie.martinez@aol.com

Team 7: Deming, Lordsburg, Silver City

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Deming, Grant, Hidalgo, and San Francisco 
Date & Time: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 
Location: Ramona's Cafe,1405 Main St, Lordsburg, NM 88045 
Contact: Kendall A. Smith, 505-429-3418

Team 8: Carrizozo, Datil, Socorro

Carrizozo

Date & Time: TBA
Location:  TBA

Date & Time: TBA
Location: 
Contact: Stanley Towner, (575) 517-0077   Stanley.Towner@usda.gov

Team 9: Alamogordo, Las Cruces, Truth or Consequences

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Caballo, Dona Ana, Otero, and Sierra
Date & Time: Thursday September 4, 2025, 9:30 AM
In-Person Location: NM Farm & Livestock Bureau Board Room, 2220 N Telshor Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88011
Contact: Nicole Chavez, 575-952-0949, Nicole.Chavez@usda.gov 

Team 10: Carlsbad, Lovington, Roswell

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: 
Date & Time: TBA
In-Person Location: 
Virtual: Team 10 LWG Virtual Meeting Link
Contact: Raquel Chacon, 575-887-3506 Ext 3  Raquel.Chacon@usda.gov

Team 11: Clovis, Portales

Soil and Water Conservation Districts: Roosevelt, Central Curry, Border
Date & Time: Wednesday August 27, 2025
In-Person Location: USDA Clovis Service Center, 918 Parkland, Clovis, NM 88101
Virtual: Team 11 LWG Virtual Meeting Link
Contact: D'Llaynn Bruce, 575-762-4769 ext. 3
 Dllaynn.Bruce@usda.gov