Our Mission:

The Corrales Farmers’ Cooperative exists to sustain multi-generational farming in Corrales through advocacy, education, and action.

Corrales is home to some of the most fertile farmland in the Rio Grande Valley. For hundreds of years, acequias dating back to the 18th century have nourished fields and supported generations of farmers. This agricultural tradition is central to the history, culture, and identity of the village.

Today, farming in Corrales faces increasing challenges, including drought, development pressure, and a changing climate. The Corrales Farmers’ Cooperative was established in 2025 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to help ensure that farming remains viable in Corrales for generations to come.

What We Do

Action

We actively pursue grants and partnerships that support individual farmers and strengthen the agricultural community as a whole. Our work focuses on practical solutions that help farming remain viable in Corrales.

Advocacy

Advocating for farming in Corrales can mean talking with neighbors about the importance of buying local produce or urging elected representatives to support policies that protect agriculture. When our voices come together, they carry more weight.

Education

We provide educational opportunities for the public, farmers, elected officials, and government entities. These efforts focus on the challenges facing Corrales farmers, new approaches to growing in a warming climate, and creating networks for farmers to share information with one another.

2025: Year in Review
From Sam Thompson, CFC President

The CFC became incorporated in the State of New Mexico in September 2024 and was recognized by the IRS as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in January 2025. It has been quite a year for us.

We came together, farmers, irrigators and supporters to advocate for a resolution between MRGCD and the Pueblo of Sandia to allow the replacement of the Corrales siphon. We succeeded, an agreement was reached, and work begins in 2026. We hosted a reception for the MRGCD staff to show our appreciation for their efforts on our behalf and they were most appreciative (Jon Young did his usual stellar job with coordinating and catering the event!).

CFC Board Members have been hard at work toward our mission of helping sustain the farming tradition in Corrales. Board Member Mike Hamman, former NM State Engineer and former CEO of MRGCD, worked with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to secure a $500,000 Drought Resiliency Grant as well as coordinating with Board Secretary/Treasurer Jim Kruger to secure an additional grant of $100,000 for two years from the Thornburg Foundation to supplement the BOR and facilitate our work with local farmers.

Through the generosity of a CFC member, we were able to secure funding to develop a CFC website. I am currently working with a designer to develop an easy-to-use site that will offer useful information to the public (such as information to encourage shopping locally for produce and products from CFC member farms) as well as a member only section with useful information to members including equipment sharing possibilities. In addition, this grant will allow us to produce bimonthly newsletter to our members.

Chad and Dana Akenhead, Corrales Realtors chose the CFC as one of their beneficiaries of their Pay As You Please Christmas Tree Event sales for 2025. Chad and Dana travel north each winter and cut down fresh trees for the Corrales sale. All of the proceeds from the sales are given to charities. Chad attended our January board meeting and provided us with a $4000 donation. We are truly grateful to them for their generosity.

The Cooperative pushed out numerous announcements from a variety of NM organizations about educational and grant opportunities available to them throughout the year via email communication.

Board meetings were held monthly (with the exception of December 2025) and all paid members were provided with an agenda in advance and invited to attend the meetings. 2026 Board Meetings will continue to be held the third Tuesday of the month 5pm at the Senior Center. CFC members are invited to attend.

Plans for 2026:

Begin work with farms and farmers on Drought Resiliency Grants
Roll out the CFC website
Provide members with bi-monthly newsletters
Explore the possibility of Double Up Bucks at Corrales Growers Market
Create a brochure publicizing where to find local produce and products of CFC members
Consider expanding the size of the CFC Board
Expand membership numbers beyond the current 64 members
Continue the work with various agencies to help sustain farming in our community.

Board of Directors

Sam Thompson

President
Sam Thompson retired from the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office as Communications Director after a career that also included work as a research scientist focused on human factors and education. In retirement, she became a Sandoval County Master Gardener and later attained Life Member status. Sam has helped develop statewide Master Gardener curriculum and created numerous public education programs. She also organized the Corrales Garden Tour, with an emphasis on sustainability, and the Corrales Farm Tour to highlight local farming and produce.
Jim Kruger

Secretary/Treasurer
Jim Kruger brings strong organizational and financial stewardship to the Corrales Farmers’ Cooperative. He has extensive experience managing budgets, records, and operations, helping ensure the cooperative remains fiscally sound and compliant. Jim is deeply committed to supporting Corrales agriculture and preserving the village’s farming traditions. As Secretary and Treasurer, he plays a key role in maintaining transparency, supporting board operations, and helping the cooperative build a strong foundation for long-term success.
Ben Dickerson

Member at Large
Ben Dickerson is the farmer behind Parenthetical Farms, a Corrales-based intensive micro-farm focused on regenerative, soil-first growing practices. His work centers on building healthy living soil through on-farm composting, plant-based ferments, and biologically driven fertility systems. Parenthetical Farms produces seasonal crops including greens, heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, and chiles, with a strong interest in rare landrace and heirloom varieties. Ben views farming as stewardship and collaboration with the land and is committed to climate resilience and community-scale food systems.
Mike Hamman

Member at Large
Mike Hamman is a longtime Corrales resident with a deep appreciation for the village’s agricultural heritage. He brings practical experience, institutional knowledge, and a strong commitment to community service to the board. Mike is passionate about supporting local farmers and ensuring that farming remains a viable part of Corrales’ future. His perspective helps bridge community interests with the cooperative’s mission to advocate for sustainable agriculture and long-term land stewardship.
Jessica Penrod

Member at Large
Jessica Penrod is a community-focused artist, organizer, and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Sage Valley Pottery and serves as Assistant Executive Director of Corrales MainStreet, where her work centers on preservation, rural heritage, and economic vitality. Jessica volunteers at the Corrales Growers’ Market and serves on the boards of the Corrales Farmers’ Cooperative and the Corrales Society of Artists. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of New Mexico, she brings creativity, leadership, and a deep commitment to community relationships and resilience.
Nancy Ranney

Member at Large
Nancy Ranney grew up on a farm in northern Illinois and later moved to New Mexico, where her family purchased a ranch near Corona. She holds a graduate degree in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning and managed the Ranney Ranch from 2000 to 2021. Inspired by the Quivira Coalition, she implemented regenerative range management and conservation partnerships, including serving as a pilot ranch for the Audubon Conservation Ranching Program. Nancy now lives in Corrales and continues to advocate for sustainable land management.
Russell Trujillo

Member at Large
Russell Trujillo is a Corrales farmer and small business owner with more than four decades of experience in agriculture and food-related enterprises. Along with his wife Sharon, he co-owned and managed Corrales Classic Farms for over 42 years, now with support from their daughter Ysabela. Russell also played a key role in establishing the Corrales Growers’ Market and served as market manager for more than a decade. He remains deeply committed to strengthening local agriculture and community-based food systems.
Jon Young

Member at Large
Jon Young is a classically trained French and Italian chef with more than 30 years of experience in food service. He has served as New Mexico’s official Chef Ambassador for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture. Jon farms in Corrales, sourcing ingredients from his 1.5-acre farm, and recently launched a line of locally sourced food products. He is passionate about helping farmers and food producers bring their products to market and strengthen connections between agriculture and the culinary community.