Who We ARe
Alianza Agri-cultura de Taos is guided by a board and staff deeply rooted in Taos County's agricultural heritage and community. From multi-generational ranchers and acequia parciantes to public lands experts and community leaders, our team brings together diverse experience in land stewardship, public service, and agricultural innovation. Together, we work to preserve and advance our region's agricultural traditions while building a resilient future for our lands and waters.
board of directors
jonathon hupp, president
Mark Torres, vice president
Bio and Picture coming soon!
Bio and Picture coming soon!
peggy nelson, Secretary
Peggy came to Taos in 1973 to work for Legal Services. After a career in the law and public service, she retired as a District Judge, and happily returned to community activism. She serves as the Vice President of Amigos Bravos; Vice-President of Western Environmental Law Center; and President of the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation. In addition, she has been an active parciante on the San Cristobal Ditch for since 1983.
tobias ‘toby’ martinez, founder
Tobias was born and raised in Ranchos de Taos as a sheep rancher. He graduated from NMSU with a degree in Range Management and his professional career included 26 years with the U.S. Forest Service, and nearly 8 years as the State Forester for New Mexico. Currently he is on the board of AA-CT, is an acequia commissioner, a neighborhood association board member, a commissioner on the New Mexico Rio Grande Trail Commission, and has served on the board of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, and for the San Francisco de Asis Church’s 200 year anniversary.
Lawrence Gallegos, treasurer
Born and raised in Taos, NM, Lawrence now lives in Santa Fe with his wife Julie. He raised cattle in the San Luis Valley for years, where he served as County Clerk for two terms. He serves as president of the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council and as a board member of International Latino Farmers and Ranchers Trade Association. He works as a field operations coordinator for National Grazing Land Coalition’s Western Grazing Network for northern New Mexico. He is the proud father of two brilliant daughters who are both now in college.
Mark Flores, Board Member
Mark Flores is owner and operator of Cordillera Cattle Company, a small-scale operation dedicated to regenerative stewardship. Mark works as the facilities manager for the Town of Taos, and serves as the Town representative to the Rio Fernando Collaborative. He also serves as the president of the Taos Municipal Schools School Board.
Mark is a lifelong resident of Taos and has proudly raised his two daughters here, alongside is wonderful wife Rosa.
staff
Gillian joyce, executive director
Gillian was born and raised in Taos and returned home full-time in 2014. She holds an M.A. in Sociology with a graduate minor in Community and Regional Planning from the University of New Mexico. Before deciding to focus on agriculture, she worked throughout New Mexico in applied economic research and economic and community development consulting. She has been involved in food production, whether commercially or for personal consumption for over twenty years. She is certified in permaculture planning, is a former Fellow with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, and is dedicated to supporting the health of the lands and waters of Taos County through traditional and regenerative practices. Gillian also serves as one of two New Mexico Government Relations Representatives for Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, and on the Taos County Agricultural Advisory Board.
abby warman, programs and operations coordinator
Abby Warman joins Alianza with ten years of experience in vegetable farming around the U.S. and Latin America. She has been farming in the Taos area since 2022 and using a LandLink was able to start her own small scale vegetable operation in 2026. She has worked in agricultural educational non-profits for the past five years and continues to work towards a food system that centers the wellbeing of producers, land and water.
