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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico State Fair announced the 2024 New Mexico Farm and Ranch of Families of the Year Thursday, Sept. 12 at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds in Albuquerque. The Wagner and Major families were honored in person at the fairgrounds.

The Wagner family, long established in Corrales, has been named Farm Family of the Year. Augustin Wagner, Sr. started farming in Corrales in 1910, with 55 acres of farmland for growing green chile, alfalfa and a small variety of fruits and vegetables.

To add to his farming repertoire, Augustin, Sr. went on to start the first commercial winery in Corrales, the fifth commercial winery in New Mexico. Where the family now operates an apple orchard, Augustin established a 20-acre vineyard, which laid the foundation for the Wagners' reputation as a well-known wine producer in the state.

Augustin's son Gus operated the farm for nearly 60 years, from 1955 to 2014, proving to be both a careful steward of the land and an inspirational keeper of wisdom among the community in Corrales. Gus passed away in 2020, leaving behind a legacy of one-of-a-kind work ethic and a robust tradition of family farming.

The Wagner family, which today is led by Augustin's grandchildren and great-grandchildren, now farms over 300 acres in Corrales and Socorro, plus runs a farm store, restaurant, corn maze and hay rides, and hosts an annual apple festival.

Major FamilyRandell and Lynn Major, owner-operators of a commercial cattle operation across three ranches in Socorro and Catron counties, have been named Ranch Family of the Year. The Major family has ranching roots that date back to 1886, when Randell's great-grandfather drove a herd of cattle from Colorado to a ranch just north of Magdalena, New Mexico.

Over the years, Randell has served on several committees, including the New Mexico Federal Lands Council, and has served as Southwest Regional Vice President and President of the New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association.

"Both the Major family and the Wagner family have roots in agriculture that predate New Mexico's statehood, which is profound in and of itself. When we say that the culture of New Mexico is agriculture, which spans centuries, we're really talking about families like these," said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. "We definitely have these families to thank for trailblazing the agriculture industry, as well as for what's to come, as they continue to pass down the tradition of farming and ranching."

The Wagner and Major families join several other honorees of these prestigious community awards, including the Mayberry family of Artesia and Perez family of Nara Visa and Encino, who were named the Farm and Ranch Families of the Year in 2023, respectively.