Growing up in the Mesilla Valley, surrounded by pecan orchards and fields of chile, onions, and alfalfa, Aaron Henry Diaz developed a deep appreciation for local food systems and the people who sustain them. He is a political strategist and agricultural advocate whose work bridges public policy, rural enterprise, and cultural heritage. An enrolled member of the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo and a New Mexico farmer, he brings firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing underserved and Indigenous communities across the Southwest.

Serving as Chair of the National Latino Farmers & Ranchers Trade Association, Diaz works to expand access to resources for new, young, and underserved farmers and ranchers while advancing regenerative agriculture nationwide. Through Coyote Column LLC, he advises political, nonprofit, and private clients on communications, policy, and coalition building. He also runs a family agricultural operation in central New Mexico and businesses in Santa Fe, integrating sustainable farming, local retail, and community education to strengthen regional economies.

Active in New Mexico and West Texas politics since 2006, Diaz has collaborated with congressional staff, legislative leaders, producers, and grassroots networks to promote effective policy and community engagement. He studied at Holy Cross College and Texas Tech University and stays grounded in the people and landscapes that shaped him, working to honor the traditions of the land while building lasting opportunity for those who steward it.

“As a New Mexico family farmer and member of the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, I’ve learned to find opportunity in the challenges facing our local food economies. As any producer knows, farming is not only about production but about preserving our heritage while nurturing our soil and community. RIPE’s work is vital in helping farmers adopt regenerative practices that strengthen local food systems and sustain rural livelihoods. I am honored to serve alongside respected regional and national advocates who share a deep commitment to the land and people that sustain us all.”