The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the New Mexico State Fair will honor two families for their contributions to agriculture during the 2025 Farm and Ranch Families of the Year ceremony at the State Fair rodeo in Albuquerque on Thursday, Sept. 11.
This year’s Farm Family of the Year is the Silverblatt-Buser family, who operate Silver Leaf Farms in Corrales. Founded by brothers Aaron and Elan Silverblatt-Buser, Silver Leaf Farms is a 15-acre Certified Organic vegetable farm that supplies produce to local farmers markets, grocers, restaurants, schools, and food banks in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The brothers’ expertise in business and plant genetics has contributed to the farm’s growth and innovation. Their retail outlet, The Farm Stand, showcases local foods and products.
The Elkins family of Dunken has been named Ranch Family of the Year. The Elkins began ranching in New Mexico in 1917 and now manage cow/calf operations across Otero, Chaves, and Eddy counties. Alden and Randy Elkins, along with their families, continue to run the original Dunken ranch while marketing cattle and supporting their communities.
“The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico State Fair will honor the 2025 New Mexico Farm and Ranch Families of the Year during the rodeo at the fairgrounds in Albuquerque on Thursday, Sept. 11,” NMDA stated.
