Cabeza de Baca inducted into hall of fame

Fabiola Cabeza de Baca, the first Spanish-speaking agent in NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service, was inducted into the National Agricultural Center’s Hall of Fame in October 2023, joining the ranks of George Washington Carver, Thomas Jefferson, Eli Whitney, Fabián García and other illustrious figures who have made outstanding contributions to American agriculture.

Over a decades-long career at NMSU, Cabeza de Baca brought life-changing educational opportunities to rural and pueblo communities across New Mexico, teaching skills in food preservation, gardening, poultry-raising, sewing and home repair. She also broke barriers as a published author who chronicled the state’s heritage in books, stories and recipes.

“Over decades as an Extension agent, Fabiola Cabeza de Baca created an educational, cultural and agricultural legacy in New Mexico and beyond,” says New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte ’84 ’85, who nominated Cabeza de Baca. “The work she trailblazed in agricultural outreach and education continues to shape New Mexico’s agriculture industry today.”