New Mexico Department of Agriculture

What New Mexico Department of Agriculture does

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is a state government regulatory and service agency headquartered in Las Cruces, New Mexico, constitutionally authorized under Article XV of the New Mexico Constitution (1911) and operating under the governance of New Mexico State University's Board of Regents since 1955. It provides regulatory services, licensing, inspections, laboratory testing, and educational programs to farmers, ranchers, agricultural businesses, and consumers across the state. NMDA is organized into eight divisions: Agricultural & Environmental Services (pesticide compliance, entomology, hemp, nursery), Agricultural Production Services (dairy, biosecurity, feed/seed/fertilizer, FSMA produce safety), Agricultural Programs & Resources (Healthy Soil Program, workforce development, SWCDs, wildlife), Director's/Secretary's Office, Laboratory Division (Metrology, Petroleum, Seed, and Chemist labs), Marketing & Development (Taste The Tradition branding, international marketing, organic program), Standards & Consumer Services (weights & measures, egg grading, chile labeling), and Veterinary Diagnostic Services (National Animal Health Laboratory Network member).

The technology base is traditional state government infrastructure: four specialized laboratories providing physical/analyte testing (metrology calibration, petroleum standards, seed quality, feed/fertilizer/pesticide chemistry), an online services portal for license/registration transactions, and a national-network-affiliated veterinary diagnostic lab. There is no disclosed software platform, AI/ML capability, or proprietary technology product. The department's outputs are regulatory determinations, inspection reports, licensing actions, laboratory certificates, and grant disbursements.

NMDA's revenue mechanics are state-government-typical: primary funding comes from annual New Mexico state appropriations, supplemented by transactional licensing and registration fees (e.g., $2 per commercial feed product, $5 per fertilizer product, $0.15 per ton tonnage fees, dairy/egg/nursery/weighmaster licensing), and federal grant passthroughs (USDA RFSI $3.5M in 2025, USDA meat processing $3M in 2026, Healthy Soil Program grants). Customer segments span farmers/ranchers, agricultural businesses (commercial feed/fertilizer/pesticide companies, dairies, nurseries), consumers (indirect beneficiaries of weights/measures and food safety), and government agency partners (USDA, EPA, FDA, NASDA).

Name

New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Legal name

New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Website

https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is a state government regulatory agency, operating under NMSU's Board of Regents, that provides licensing, inspections, laboratory testing, and grant programs to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses across New Mexico.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Agricultural Regulatory Services

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYAFACAJAE

Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Farm Management & Operational Advisory Services

SECONDARYAFALADAE

Import/Export & Border Compliance Support (FSVP, Prior Notice, Health Certificates)

Agriculture & Food Production/Food Safety, Testing & Certification/Regulatory Compliance Testing & Consulting (FDA/USDA/EFSA, HACCP)

SECONDARYAFACABAL

Carbon, Sustainability & Farm Certification Support (Agro-Environmental Advisory)

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Services (Custom Farming, Agronomy, Veterinary)/Crop Consulting & Agronomy Services (Soil Health, Nutrient Planning, Yield Consulting)

SECONDARYAFABAEAO

Biologicals Regulatory, Testing & Quality Assurance Services

Agriculture & Food Production/Agricultural Inputs & Agrochemicals/Biologicals & Biopesticides (Microbials, Botanicals, Beneficial Insects)

Keywords

• Agricultural regulatory services
• Weights and measures enforcement
• Government laboratory testing
• Agricultural licensing and inspections
• Farm and ranch grant programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Cruces

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State Government Funding: Primary funding from New Mexico state government budget allocations.
2. Licensing and Registration Fees: Fees from commercial feed registration ($2.00 per product), fertilizer registration ($5.00 per product), inspection fees, and various licensing programs including dairy permits, egg licensing, nursery licensing, weighmaster licensing, and weights & measures licensing.
3. Tonnage Fees: Inspection fee of fifteen cents ($.15) per ton for commercial feeds distributed in or into New Mexico in packages of ten pounds or greater.
4. Grant Programs: Manages various state and federal grant programs including Healthy Soil Program, Agricultural Workforce Development Program, Acequia & Community Ditch Fund, and meat processor grants up to $3M.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is a state government regulatory and service agency that delivers agricultural regulatory compliance, licensing, inspections, laboratory testing, and producer support programs across New Mexico. Its core functions include regulating commercial feed, seed, fertilizer, pesticides, eggs, dairy, hemp, and nursery products; enforcing weights and measures and petroleum product standards; conducting diagnostic and food safety testing; and administering grant programs such as the Healthy Soil Program, Agricultural Workforce Development Program, and meat processor grants. Operations are structured into multiple divisions serving farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, government agencies, and consumers under authority of the New Mexico Constitution and state statutes.

Product overview

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is a regulatory and service agency organized into multiple divisions providing producer-consumer services. The core regulatory portfolio includes Feed/Seed/Fertilizer regulation, Agricultural & Environmental Services (pesticides, entomology, hemp), Agricultural Production Services (dairy, produce safety, biosecurity), Standards & Consumer Services (weights/measures), and Laboratory Division (metrology, petroleum, seed, chemist testing). Supporting programs include the Healthy Soil Program (soil improvement grants), Agricultural Workforce Development Program (intern reimbursements), Marketing & Development Division (Taste The Tradition branding, international marketing, organic certification), and the Agricultural Reporting Hotline. The department also operates information resources including ScrewwormNM.org, Mental Health Resources, and educational programs like AgriFuture. The structure is a platform of distinct regulatory services rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Taste the Tradition: New Mexico agricultural branding program featuring local producers and products.
• Here to Help NM

Products and services

• Feed, Seed & Fertilizer Section Regulates commercial feeds, fertilizers, and soil amendments, including seed distributed into and within New Mexico. Handles registration, tonnage reporting, inspections, and compliance with federal feed and fertilizer standards for agribusinesses.
• Healthy Soil Program State grant program created in 2019 to promote and support farming and ranching systems that increase soil organic matter, aggregate stability, microbiology and water retention. Provides funding to eligible entities and individual applicants for soil improvement projects across New Mexico.
• Agricultural Workforce Development Program Reimburses agricultural businesses up to $15,000 to hire interns, supporting the development of agricultural workforce in New Mexico.
• Veterinary Diagnostic Services Located in Albuquerque, conducts diagnostic analysis of animal specimens from veterinarians and agencies to determine causes of death or identify diseases. Part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
• Laboratory Division Services Includes Metrology Laboratory (Official State Standards), Petroleum Standards Laboratory (petroleum product quality enforcement), State Seed Laboratory (seed quality testing), and State Chemist Laboratory (feed, fertilizer, and pesticide testing).
• Standards and Consumer Services Division Protects consumers and businesses by ensuring equity in commercial transactions involving quantity determinations. Inspects fuel pumps, scales, and other weighing/measuring devices throughout New Mexico; enforces the Chile Advertising Act, Egg Grading Act, Petroleum Products Standards Act, and Weights and Measures Law.
• Agricultural and Environmental Services Division Handles pesticide compliance, entomology and nursery industries, hemp program, plant pest surveys, and apiary inspections for New Mexico agricultural producers and businesses.
• Marketing and Development Services (Taste The Tradition, Chef Ambassador, International Marketing) Supports New Mexico farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses through marketing, promotional and sales activities. Includes New Mexico Taste The Tradition logo program, international marketing, domestic marketing, Chef Ambassador Program, organic certification, and management of grants for farmers' markets and farm-to-school initiatives.
• Agricultural Programs and Resources Division Monitors state and federal regulations affecting agricultural producers. Supports 47 soil and water conservation districts, administers funding programs, promotes climate resilience, mitigates wildlife conflict, and coordinates noxious weed management.
• Meat Processor Grant Program Federal grant program providing up to $3 million to New Mexico meat processors to strengthen local food supply chain and meat processing infrastructure, administered through NMDA.
• NMDA Organic Program Manages organic certification and education for agricultural producers in New Mexico under the Marketing and Development Division.

Quantifiable outcome

• 62 soil health projects funded in first three years, supporting improved soil organic matter, water retention, and agricultural resilience
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• New Mexico State University (NMSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDA is under the control of NMSU's Board of Regents. The board serves as the state board of agriculture, solidifying agriculture's importance to both the university and the state. NMDA's Director/Secretary serves on NMSU's Executive Committee and Administrative Council. Since 1978, the NMDA director has served as secretary of agriculture on the Governor's Cabinet.
• NMSU Cooperative Extension ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDA partners with NMSU Cooperative Extension Service for agricultural education, the Southwest Border Food Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center, and the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (Here to Help NM program).
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for agricultural programs including Farm Service Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Service, APHIS (for pest control including New World screwworm), and Agricultural Marketing Service. Includes cooperative wildlife services program under agreement with USDA.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner for pesticide compliance and environmental regulations. NMDA Director Jeff Witte served on EPA's Local Government Advisory Committee and Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFDA is a federal partner for food safety programs including the Feed, Seed & Fertilizer Section cooperation for uniform policies on feed, fertilizers, and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety program.
• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDA Director Jeff Witte is past president of NASDA and currently chairs NASDA's Natural Resources and Environment Committee. NMDA participates in national agricultural policy coordination through NASDA.
• Western Association of State Departments of AgriculturemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDA Director Jeff Witte is past president of this regional organization coordinating agricultural departments across western U.S. states.
• Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDA Director Jeff Witte is past president. WUSATA supports international marketing for agricultural products from western states.
• Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDA's Feed, Seed & Fertilizer Section cooperates with AAFCO for implementing uniform policies for regulating animal feed products, including ingredient definitions and labeling standards.
• Association of American Plant Food Control OfficialscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNMDA cooperates with this organization for uniform policies on fertilizers and soil conditioners regulation.
• New Mexico Farm & Livestock BureaumajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for agricultural advocacy, Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (Here to Help NM), AgriFuture conference co-hosting, and various agricultural programs.
• 47 Soil and Water Conservation DistrictscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal governmental entities with proven land management capacity that NMDA supports and partners with for soil health programs, water conservation, and various agricultural initiatives statewide.
• New Mexico Department of HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary Diagnostic Services pathologists work together with NM Department of Health's Scientific Laboratory Division located in the same building in Albuquerque.
• Elevate NM (elevatenmag.com)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing platform for New Mexico agriculture featuring Taste The Tradition and Grown with Tradition logo programs, domestic and international marketing, competitive grant programs, and Chef Ambassador Program.
• National Animal Health Laboratory NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterinary Diagnostic Services Division is part of this national network for animal health diagnostics and emergency preparedness.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Federal counterpart whose programs NMDA administers in cooperation. Overlapping regulatory scope across animal health, plant health, marketing, and conservation — but at vastly larger federal scale.
• California Department of Food and Agriculture: Larger state agency with the same regulatory franchise (feed/fertilizer regulation, weights and measures, marketing programs, animal health diagnostics) but operating at materially greater scale and budget across California's much larger agricultural economy.

Others

• Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA): Regional trade association partnering with NMDA (whose Director is past president) to deliver international marketing services. Thematically aligned as a vehicle for agricultural export promotion that NMDA channels funds and producers through.
• National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA): Industry/membership association of state agriculture departments in which NMDA participates via its Director's past presidency. Not a regulator itself but the coordinating body for the population of agencies NMDA belongs to.
• Screwworm.gov (USDA APHIS): Federal information hub parallel to NMDA's ScrewwormNM.org. Coordinated counterpart in the same biosecurity response ecosystem, reflecting NMDA's integration with USDA APHIS for animal disease emergency preparedness.

Direct peers

• Colorado Department of Agriculture: Western state agriculture department providing directly comparable services including inspection, licensing, marketing, and conservation district support. Closely comparable operating model and geographic/rural-economy profile to NMDA.
• Texas Department of Agriculture: State agriculture department with parallel regulatory, marketing, and grant-administration functions. Direct peer as another state-level agency operating feed/seed/fertilizer regulation, weights and measures, and producer grant programs — only at much larger scale in Texas.
• Arizona Department of Agriculture: Adjacent southwestern state department of agriculture with near-identical scope: feed/seed/fertilizer regulation, weights and measures, laboratory services, and producer grants. Direct peer operating in a similar arid agricultural economy.
• Oregon Department of Agriculture: Western state agriculture agency with comparable regulatory, laboratory, and marketing functions. Similar size and scope to NMDA with overlapping stakeholder base in soil/water conservation and specialty crops.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture: State department of agriculture operating parallel divisions for regulatory services (feed, fertilizer, seed), weights and measures, animal health diagnostics, and international marketing — comparable in structure, if not in scale, to NMDA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NMDeptAg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/newmexicoagriculture
• Facebookfacebook.com/NMDeptAg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/new-mexico-department-of-agriculture
• Instagraminstagram.com/nmdeptag

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about New Mexico Department of Agriculture