Locally Grown: NMDA marketing specialist honored as Collaborator of the Year

Cover Photo Caption: The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is proud to announce that Marketing Specialist Juan Sanchez (far right) has been named the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association’s (WUSATA) Collaborator of the Year. Sanchez is pictured here at a trade show in 2025.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is proud to announce that Marketing Specialist Juan Sanchez has been named the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association’s (WUSATA) Collaborator of the Year.

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is proud to announce that Marketing Specialist Juan Sanchez (far left) has been named the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association’s (WUSATA) Collaborator of the Year. Sanchez is pictured here (left photo) with New Mexico business participants outside the Anuga food and beverage fair venue in Cologne, Germany, in 2025. | The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is proud to announce that Marketing Specialist Juan Sanchez (left) has been named the Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association’s (WUSATA) Collaborator of the Year. Sanchez is pictured here at a southern New Mexico pecan orchard during a WUSATA inbound trade mission with Korean buyers.

The award recognizes Sanchez’s years of partnership with WUSATA to promote New Mexico-grown commodities, strengthen international partnerships, and support export opportunities for the state’s agricultural producers.

“Juan’s leadership has been instrumental in elevating New Mexico agriculture on the global stage,” said Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture. “His work continues to open pathways for our producers and position New Mexico as a competitive player in international markets.”

Through his work with WUSATA, Sanchez has led and supported domestic and international trade missions, facilitated New Mexico food and beverage businesses’ participation at global trade shows, and coordinated agricultural site visits throughout New Mexico and abroad. These efforts have connected New Mexico producers with buyers in key markets in Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico City and South Korea.

WUSATA is a non-profit organization that assists western U.S. states in expanding international markets for agricultural products through export development and trade promotion.