The New Mexico Land Grant Council is an agency of state government administratively attached to the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration. It was founded in 2009 by statute and provides support to 24 land grants-mercedes in New Mexico recognized as units of government (political subdivisions of the state). It also serves as a liaison between mercedes and other state agencies and the federal government.
The Council consists of five members appointed by the Governor who serve staggered four-year terms. Current members are (From left to right):
Juan Sánchez, Chair
Rita Padilla-Gutiérrez
Macario Griego
Leonard Martínez
Lee Maestas, Vice Chair
(For bios of individual members click on name above.)
During 2011-2012 the Council meets on the University of New Mexico campus. For dates and times see Meetings.
For contact information return to the Homepage.
Duties of the Council
According to the Land Grant Support Act of 2009,
“The Council, through its staff or contract agents, shall:
(1) facilitate the exchange of experience and advice among land grants;
(2) serve as a liaison between land grants and federal, state and local agencies;
(3) promote cooperation among land grants and, by consultation and advice, assist in the coordination of land grant programs;
(4) proide board development opportunities and technical assistance to the governing boards of land grants;
(5) provide short- and long-range planning assistance to land grants;
(6) conduct training sessions for land grants on topics of interest, such as:
(a) local, state, and national zoning trends and concerns and other land-use issues;
(b) state requirements for political subdivisions on such topics as open meetings, public records, procurement, risk management, tort claims and financial accountability;
(c) techniques of historical research;
(d) grant writing
(e) economic development strategies; and
(f) rangeland management and water conservation;
(7) disseminate information to relevant federal, state and local agencies on land grant issues and activities and, when requested, on the status of individual land grants;
(8) develop and promote federal legislation for an appropriate congressonal response to longstanding community land grant claims in New Mexico; and
(9) review state and federal policies, plans and legislation affecting land grants in New Mexico.”
The Council is also empowered to:
(10) ”Assist mercedes in all areas of land grant fiscal fiscal and programmatic manage-ment, including planning, economic development, and infrastructure development;
(11) Establish cooperative purchasing capabilities for land grants;
(12) Perform special studies and undertake surveys of interest to land grants and report findings;
(13) Serve as a fiscal agent and administrator for federal and state grants-in-aid and other funding for land grants when necessary;
(14) Facilitate or enter into agreements with state and federal agencies on behalf of land grants;
(15) Enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of the Land Grant Support Act; and
(16) Provide other assistance to land grants.”
Photo: NM Land Grant Council meeting at New Mexico Highlands University, 20 August 2010.
