The University of New Mexico College of Population Health has marked a significant milestone with its first-ever U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) education grant, establishing an innovative program to train the next generation of conservationists.
The Partnership for Agricultural Sustainability and Education (PASE) program, led by professor Francisco Soto Mas, MD, PhD, MPH, is a three-year, $700,000 project funded through the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The primary aim is to create a professional certification program to promote the adoption of climate-smart conservation and traditional agricultural practices, support small-scale farming and local food systems, and educate students and farmers on NRCS technical assistance and resources.
"This grant represents a crucial step in providing additional educational opportunities for underserved populations," said Soto Mas, a social and behavioral scientist with extensive experience in medicine and public health. PASE is funded through the Equity in Conservation Outreach Cooperative Agreements, a federal multiagency program to expand the delivery of conservation assistance to underserved producers and communities.
The grant represents a collaborative partnership between the College of Population Health and the UNM Sustainability Studies Program, he said. "We're building on existing educational and community resources at Sustainability Studies, and a decade of successful public health research on organic farming to create additional pathways for students interested in sustainability and conservation."
The certification program is also supported by strong community partnerships, including Bernalillo County's "Grow the Growers" program, which provides hands-on training for beginning farmers. Students will earn field experience credits through work at South Valley farms and partnerships with organizations like AgriCultura Network, which supports local farming communities, and the local NRCS office.
This certification program will serve as a bridge between academic learning and practical field experience. By combining classroom instruction with hands-on training at local farms, we're preparing students for meaningful careers in conservation and sustainable agriculture.
The grant's journey to approval involved extensive collaboration with multiple agencies. "The process required careful coordination between UNM's Main Campus, the Health Sciences Center Office of Sponsored Projects, and USDA programs and officials," Soto Mas said.
The certificate program aims to be operational within the next year, building on existing curriculum resources at UNM’s Central Campus and the College of Population Health.
"We're optimistic about the program's potential to create new opportunities for students while advancing our understanding of sustainable agriculture," said Soto Mas, whose research background includes a five-state regional project studying the safety and health of organic farmers across New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
The PASE program represents a significant expansion of UNM's commitment to environmental sustainability and educational equity, building on Soto Mas's research, which includes $1.2 million in funding from federal agencies like the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and entities like Bernalillo County’s Open Space and the Thornburg Foundation. He has led more than 40 research studies and 70 peer-reviewed publications in both English and Spanish journals.
Other key personnel include Marygold Walsh-Dilley, PhD, associate professor of Geography and Environmental Studies, as well as associate professor Laura Nervi, PhD, MPH, MSSc, and professor Elizabeth Yakes Jimenez, PhD, MS, RDN, both of the College of Population Health.