As someone involved in philanthropy in New Mexico over the past decade, and as a short-lived foster-fail and now-jubilant pet parent to my rescue dog Mason, I’ve gained some understanding about the animal welfare landscape in Santa Fe and across Northern New Mexico. It is a landscape of incredibly dedicated people like Española Humane Society, pulling together every dollar possible to save animals, too many of which have been abandoned, neglected, abused, and even starved.

Within this landscape, the challenges are enormous. A recent report from Animal Protection New Mexico highlighted that in north central New Mexico, shelters are outdated, overwhelmed by the sheer number of animals, and face a dire workforce shortage, especially among veterinary staff. 

Explore the Española Humane Society With Executive Director Kate Baldwin

In Española, while these challenges exist, significant progress has been made in recent years by Española Humane, whose Executive Director, Kate Baldwin, gleams with pride when she shares just how far the organization has come. This is especially the case with the opening of a new state-of-the-art clinic opposite the Ohkay Owingeh Airport just north and west of the city. Years in the making, the gleaming windows and contemporary styling of the $6.7 million facility underscore both the dedication and grit that Española Humane possesses in serving the communities of northern New Mexico. 

Those qualities were profoundly evident in Española Humane’s longtime Executive Director, Bridget Lindquist, who retired from that role in 2025 after leading the organization for more than twenty years. But they are also equally part of Baldwin’s DNA, who spent five years at the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals prior to joining Española Humane in early 2025. 

Meet Executive Director Kate Baldwin

“I have a colorful background,” she shared as we strolled the grounds of the organization’s home base in Española. Kate grew up in Virginia Beach and became involved in yoga at an early age, traveling the world learning and teaching and eventually opening her own studio in Hawaii. She then moved back to Virginia where she pursued a degree in literature and began volunteering with the Virginia Beach SPCA. That volunteerism set off a spark and she joined the staff, first in leading their events and outreach, then as Acting Chief Executive Officer and eventually as Chief Operating Officer.  

After a brief stint away from animal welfare – during which she also earned a master’s degree in public administration from American University – she missed the work desperately. That was when, having visiting Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico a number of times and being drawn to it, she saw the job posting for Española Humane.  

“Bridget was a super passionate leader and wanted the new clinic built and she passed along the plans for the new clinic,” Kate shared. Between 2016 and 2025, prior to the opening of the new clinic, 55,000 animals received free spay/neuter services from the portable trailer clinic at the organization’s main site. “The new clinic is a testament to our mission and these amazing communities that we serve,” she continued. 

How the Española Humane Society Is Saving Animals Around New Mexico

We also spent a fair amount of time talking about the finances of Española Humane, a key factor in how they provide so much free and low-cost care for pets and pet parents. The vast majority of the contributions come directly from individuals, a majority of whom are from Santa Fe.  

We also talked at length about their Healing Hearts Fund, a dedicated fund they can tap when a pet arrives at their door, but money is an issue for the animal receiving the care it needs. “Eight-five percent of every dollar goes back into saving animals,” she shared.  

And of course, beyond the veterinary care provided by Española Humane, sheltering and adopting out pets is core to their mission. On the day I visited, I was greeted at the door by Romeo, a bit of a crotchety black and white spotted cat who was loved by staff, but whose churlish demeanor toward humans has made him a bit of a long-time resident. “He’s a charmer but don’t pet him,” was the advice of one of the staff. 

Readily Adoptable Cats and Dogs

In addition to Romeo, there are cats and dogs of every age available for adoption and the organization also facilitates the transfer of cats and dogs to other facilities when overcrowding demands it. At the Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort, Española Humane partners with the facility to host the Puppy Patch which has resulted in the adoption of nearly 700 puppies in the organization’s care.  

When I asked Kate to reflect on her own future and that of Española Humane, she paused briefly and said, “This is incredibly important work and it is work I have long felt called to do. Being here is where I am supposed to be and we have grand plans to continue to improve the lives of animals in this community.” 

Story by Bill Smith
Photos Courtesy of Española Humane Society

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Every time you shop at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market you support local farmers. It’s a decision that matters – we get the freshest and best quality food while helping Northern New Mexico farms stay healthy and strong. Bevin Carnes of the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market Institute introduces us to the folks at Khalsa Family Farms and tells us how they’re sharing their harvest with school, senior centers, and food banks plus teaching budding farmers how to work the soil in New Mexico.

Khalsa Family Farms: Sharing Their Harvest with the Community

After retiring to New Mexico following a 35-year career as a builder in New York City, Sirivishnu Singh Khalsa found an unexpected use for his construction talents: building greenhouses. Though his new career was unplanned, the work is rooted in a centuries-old Sikh tradition of feeding people.

Today, Khalsa Family Farms is one of the largest vendors of greens at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market during the winter, using innovative technology and sustainable practices to produce food year-round. Much of its harvest goes to schools, senior centers, and food banks, while its internship program helps train a new generation of farmers.

Feeding the Community Through Sikh Tradition

BC: The idea of providing food to your community seems to have deep meaning for you. Where does that come from?

Sirivishnu Singh Khalsa: We’re part of a Sikh community in Española, and for centuries, Sikhs have served food to people. Even today, the Golden Temple in northern India serves 100,000 people a day in a free kitchen.

About 15 years ago, our ashram community started a program called Food for Kids. A lot of kids in our area don’t have enough food on the weekends, so we provide bags of food to about 600 children each week at schools in the Española area.

Building a New Career in Farming

BC: How did you first become involved in farming?

SSK: I spent about 35 years in New York City working as a builder before retiring to Española in 2016.

A year later, people started asking, “Hey, can you build us a greenhouse?” And I said, “I can do that.” From that point on, I learned a tremendous amount about farming and feeding people in northern New Mexico.

I enjoyed building a lot, and people were grateful when you built something nice for them, but it’s totally different when you’re feeding people. It’s a lot more personal, let’s put it that way.

Growing Fresh Produce Through the Winter

BC: Growing fresh produce in the middle of winter isn’t easy in Northern New Mexico. How do you make it work?

SSK: Our greenhouses let us control the climate. The climate battery [an underground system that exchanges and stores heat from the greenhouse air] keeps our greenhouse above freezing using only fans. So we’re not burning fossil fuels to heat it.

We obtained seven caterpillar tunnels [plastic-covered growing structures resembling giant caterpillars] from the USDA. We grow a variety of greens in them throughout the winter without any additional heating. And if you go to the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning in January, you’ll have to get into a long line for our greens.

Sustainable Farming and Experimentation

BC: Beyond the greenhouse technology, how important is experimentation to the way you grow food sustainably?

SSK: We have some amazing farmers running the show. Our farm manager, Shenoah Dalziel, came to us after graduating from UC Davis, and we’re blessed to have her leading the operation. Our senior farmer, Jim Fischer, is a real scientist when it comes to farming, and he spends a lot of time researching what’s out there.

We grow everything organically, even though we’re not certified organic. We’re Certified Naturally Grown. Pests are a challenge when you’re not using toxic chemicals. Plants and pests continue to evolve, so you have to keep track of what used to work but doesn’t anymore.

Jim experiments all the time with ways to keep the plants healthy and happy. Once, he said, “You know what? I’m just blasting the plants with water, and it’s knocking the aphids off. It’s working!” and I said, “Okay, let’s do that.”

Training the Next Generation of Farmers

BC: The farm also helps train young farmers. How does that fit into its larger mission?

SSK: We started a program called Seva Sadhana. Seva means selfless service, and Sadhana is a spiritual practice centered on meditation. People would come into the program and practice Seva by working on the farm.

I have a young man from San Felipe Pueblo who just started in our internship program in July. He’s 19, right out of high school, and he’s doing a great job and learning a lot. He’s handling our microgreen production now and helping with plant care.

It’s just really a blessing to be able to teach these young folks, and hopefully they’ll start running farms on their own in the future.

The Rewards of Feeding People

BC: What’s been most rewarding about becoming a farmer?

SSK: There’s so much goodwill in providing great food to people.

One day I delivered a bunch of these beautiful little yellow cherry tomatoes we grow to Growing Up New Mexico’s Early Learning Center in Santa Fe. There were about a hundred three- to five-year-olds eating lunch, and when I came in, [a staff member] said, “Hey guys, this is the gentleman that brings you all those cherry tomatoes.”

They all jumped up and said, “We love them! Thank you so much!” I mean, that can just turn your heart upside down and make it fly away.

All you need is a shot of that once a year and you’re good to go.

Read our last Faces of the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market profile on Santa Cruz Farm.

Story by Bevin Carnes
Photography by Gabriella Marks

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