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Los Ranchos seeks state planning funds and expands Agra Nature Center programming
Summary
Trustees authorized applying for MFA planning funds for a comprehensive Agra Nature Center strategic plan and heard a detailed Agra update: ~2,000 workshop attendees, seed-bank and irrigation projects, hands-on youth programs and veterans' viticulture training.
The Los Ranchos Board of Trustees voted Nov. 19 to authorize application for Local Government Planning Funds from the New Mexico Finance Authority to produce a comprehensive strategic plan for the Larry Abraham Agra Nature Center. The board also heard an extensive update from Agra director William Carlton on the center’s growth and programs.
The planning-fund application, discussed as Resolution 2025-11-02, will support a community-driven strategic plan covering facilities, program priorities, water conservation and a funding strategy to guide future capital investments. “This gives us an opportunity to use these funds to… start the process and get us through a planning process that may be maybe at a 30,000-foot level,” Mayor Lawrence Royale said. Trustees emphasized the plan should be broadly scoped and include stakeholders from the village, county and school partners.
William Carlton reported the Agra Nature Center ran roughly one workshop per week this year, with more than 2,000 attendees at scheduled events and an estimated 10,000+ total visitors across community gardens, school groups and open-time visitors. Programs added this year include a chile seed bank (about 20 varieties saved), a demonstration kitchen, a healer’s garden, an oya irrigation pilot demonstrating up to 30% water savings over some drip systems, a seven-head churro-sheep flock with fiber workshops, a 30-plot community garden and extensive K–12 partnerships.
Partners described new workforce and educational activity: Victor (Vic) Versace of Desert Forge said veterans’ viticulture training is producing wine for barrel conditioning and workforce pathways; Laura Richards from Alvarado Elementary described weekly nature-class walks that bring pre-K to fifth graders to Agra; and Yansancy Ranspot (Albuquerque Sign Language Academy/New Mexico Youth Conservation Foundation) outlined youth conservation employment and partnerships that employ hundreds of youth over recent summers.
Trustees approved the planning-resolution by roll call. Staff said the plan will be used to prioritize capital projects, support future grant applications and identify operational models for the center.
