View in browser • Quarterly News and Updates • Summer 2026
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June 2026
Summer salutations from the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Museum,
Can you believe where halfway through the year? Hop on the ride for the next six months because the Museum is excited to share new endeavors, exhibits, free admission for military families, and monthly and annual events for you to experience.
In the first part of the year, we received reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, selected winners for our first ever short film contest, started renovating the theater, and will continue to share the importance of agriculture through our programs and events. Keep reading for more information on all of those things!
Thanks for your support and we look forward to a bright, happy summer with you!
From,
NM Farm & Ranch Staff
A note from Interim Director Steve Loring
I'm happy to announce that the Museum has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This accomplishment recognizes the high quality of the Museum and the professionalism of our staff. Only about three percent of museums in the United States are accredited by AAM. In New Mexico, we are one of the 26 accredited ones.
NMFRHM tells the story of New Mexico's agriculture, which affects everyone's quality of life — environmentally, economically, and socially. I thank the legislators for their support over the years. I also thank our great volunteers and Friends of NMFRHM for all they do to make this place special.
The Museum is not static. I invite you to visit our outstanding museum to see what we have done recently and what we are planning to do in the future.
Museum News & Updates
The future is as bright as the energy of summer! This season, New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum has several offerings for you.
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Blue Star Summer – May 17 - Sept. 7 We are proud to be a Blue Star Museum, along with the other NM Dept. of Cultural Affairs (DCA) 7 museums and 8 historic sites, and to offer FREE admission this summer to active-duty military personnel and their families through the Blue Star Museums program. For more info about Blue Star Museums, as well as a map of participating museums, visit www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums.
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Winners of the Inaugural Short Film Contest – The first-ever winners of the New Mexico Heritage Short Film Contest were named at the Las Cruces International Film Festival's Poster Reveal Party on March 6. "Napigsa ti Angin / The Wind is Strong" directed by Tony Marquez won first place; "What the Wind Remembers" directed by River Scott, Skylar Rose, Hali Aleczandra won second place; and "Back Burner" directed by Kcenia Gwaltney won third place. Read more about these films in the press release.
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Theater Renovations – We closed the theater curtains at the end of April for renovations, so we can roll out the red carpet for significant upgrades with new chairs, paint, sound barriers, and lights to create an even better guest experience. No reservations will be taken for the theater or the Rio Hondo room until this work is completed around the end of October. Thanks for your patience and stay tuned!
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Farewell to Heart of the Desert – The Heart of the Desert Gift Shop location at the NMFRHM has moved, but the Museum remains open for visitors. We thank Heart of the Desert for years of excellent customer service and the fine things they provided for our visitors. Their Mesilla and Alamogordo locations remain open for your pistachio, wine, gifts, and more fix! The Museum Board of Directors is reviewing potential tenants for the gift shop space at the Museum.
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Her Land – Fern Sawyer Extended! The All-American Cowgirl will be staying in our halls for a little while longer. Be inspired by this trailblazer in women's rodeo, western-wear fashionista, and politician.
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"Celebrating 250 years of the Declaration of Independence" – The Museum and the Doña Ana Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) joined forces to create an exhibit to commemorate the United States 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It will be on view until July 18, 2026, in the Arts Corridor.
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Staff Updates – In March, Lori Holguin retired after 27 years as our business operations specialist. At the Museum, everyone knew they could count on Lori's support and sunny attitude at work. We sent her off with a surprise barbeque lunch and best wishes for her next chapter.
Welcome to Senior Instructional Coordinator Mackette Kark! Mackette comes to us from the New Mexico Museum of Space History where she spent the last two years dropping "eggstronauts" off of the roof and building rockets. From rockets to ranches, Mackette brings almost 15 years of informal education experience to her role. Be sure to come say hi to her at the next Ag Wagon!
Upcoming Events
Spend your summer with us and enjoy the beautiful grounds, engaging exhibits, and learn about agriculture all around you. Join us for Ag Wagon on Saturdays, 4-H Achievement Week, and save the dates for annual events.
All aboard the Ag Wagon | Saturdays year-round | 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Join us for our educational program for children at the Museum. Each Ag Wagon offers an agriculture-related learning topic and a fun hands-on activity. The themes for summer will be Ag in the Home for June, Dairy in July, and Water in August. Adults are invited too with regular museum admission.
4-H Achievement Week | July 27 - Aug. 8 | Come see several hundred youth projects from Doña Ana County 4-H throughout the Museums' lobby and Artist's Corridor. This event is part of the indoor exhibits for the Doña Ana County Fair.
HomeGrown | Nov. 21-22 | Saturday - Sunday | Save the date for two days of discovering locally produced foods from vendors around the state and handmade arts and crafts made from agricultural resources. Sample and shop for salsas, nuts, candy, wine, and more. Our next newsletter will have more information for this beloved annual event.
Farm La-La | mid-December | Mark your calendar for a fun, festive winter evening at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. Families can enjoy the lighted, 47-acre campus, take part in fun activities like ornament making, tour exhibits and galleries, and more.
Volunteers
April was Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we appreciate our volunteers year-round. These amazing individuals help with walking tours, livestock cart tours, school tours, building, exhibits, grounds maintenance, children's activities, monitoring galleries during special events, living history demonstrations, or office support.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at the museum, we have a place for you! Fill out our volunteer interest form online or in-person at the Museum. Contact Desirie Lara, Museum Experience Supervisor, at
Three Ways to Meet Our Friends
Join the Friends of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, an independent 501(c)(3) organization, to support of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Friends help fund educational programs and workshops at the Museum; conduct outreach activities throughout the state; help create exhibits and programs that tell the story of New Mexico agriculture; and preserve our state's rich and unique agricultural heritage.
Want to get to know the Friends first? Check out these ideas on when and where to connect with them.
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Bring a project to one of Fiber Socials (from 1 -3 p.m. in the conference room on June 8, July 13, and Aug 10) and meet fellow fiber aficionados.
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Event Coordinator Michael Keuchmann will share what his work entails at Get to Know Your Museum on June 18 starting at 9:30 a.m. The Friends host these conversations over coffee and treats to provide an opportunity for the public to meet museum employees and ask questions.
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Learn what the friends are up to at their monthly board meetings (June 9, July 14, and Aug 11). This is the best way to learn about the group and their priorities if you want to join.
4100 Dripping Springs Rd.
Las Cruces, NM 88011
1 (575) 522-4100
Mon - Sat 10 AM – 4 PM
Closed Sundays
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Our mailing address is: New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum 4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, NM Las Cruces, NM 88011 USA
