Executive Fellow | Activating Agricultural Land Use Bernalillo County Community

Overview

Bernalillo County, NM aims to improve residents’ quality of life and support small agricultural entrepreneurs through access to open space. The Executive Fellow will promote this goal by engaging internal and external stakeholders, researching agricultural hub models, and developing contract templates for small growers. As a result, the Executive Fellow will help transform a 34-acre plot into land that promotes wellbeing, enables education, and unlocks opportunities for new farmers.

Fellowship Dates: October 26, 2026 – October 22, 2027

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual salary of $95,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. This amount is not representative of market-rate salaries for the experienced professionals in our program but is intended as compensation for a year of public service.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects.

They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Bernalillo County’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space aims to improve residents’ quality of life, with an emphasis on community health, economic development, and cultural heritage. Access to open space advances all three pillars. Parks and green space help people maintain their physical and mental health. Leasable plots would give agricultural entrepreneurs the chance to start or further their businesses with ensured access to land and lower capital requirements.

Demonstration and education gardens allow the next generation to learn about their agricultural heritage. Additionally, as New Mexico’s farming community ages, encouraging young farmers to join the profession could help Bernalillo County preserve its food security.

To promote these goals, the County purchased a 34-acre property to steward as an agricultural open space. The land is across the street from a high school and less than a 10-minute walk from two other schools, making it ideal for educational use. After planning and community engagement, the County decided to dedicate it to three main purposes: agricultural education, demonstration plots and gardens, and gathering space for educational and community events;

leasable fields (approximately 0.25-2 acres each) for small growers (including graduates of the Department’s beginning farmer training program); and a habitat space with walking paths for conservation and recreation. These agricultural uses will support regenerative practices, including promoting food grown on public land. The Rio Grande High School cluster received a US Department of Education grant to carry out K-12 STEM pathways.

As the County finishes the planning phase for this property, it requires additional support to advance implementation of the master plan. The FUSE Executive Fellow will support the Bernalillo County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Open Space by facilitating and documenting stakeholder engagement, coordinating communications and updates about the…