Hacienda Domínguez & Chelenzo Farms

Founded upon a dream of a healthier life closer to nature, Chelsea & Lorenzo (Chelenzo) moved to New Mexico from New York in 2021 with their family to plant regenerative roots in the Land of Enchantment.

Set in high desert mountains of Cerrillos, New Mexico, Hacienda Domínguez offers guests to experience a farm in action, as well as the opportunity to hike daily on 350 acres just east of the Turquoise Trail (Route 14) and directly above the Galisteo River Basin. Upon the land, nature lovers, hikers and outdoorsmen alike will discover arroyos, caves, mesmerizing 360 degree vistas of the mountains that surround Santa Fe, as well as awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets.

The Hacienda also offers other regenerative services in partnership with the mecca of holistic-minded neighbors and local businesses we have here in Cerrillos, including massage therapy, horseback riding, soil health workshops, soul-cleansing drum making, sweat hut ceremonies and herbal medicinal opportunities.

At Chelenzo Farms we have three operating pillars: research, education, and community. Our efforts focus on promoting regenerative agriculture by applying permaculture, soil health, agroecology and agroforestry principles, as well as innovative and indigenous practices to achieve our goals.

Our organic research farm serves to educate the community and offer training in the areas of permaculture farming, land conservation, indigenous agricultural and sustainability practices, and the realm of sciences that look to understand the relationship (past, current and future) that humans have with nature and the land. We also aspire to contribute to knowledge about agricultural practices and drought-resistant crop cultivation that will contribute to improve soil health in an arid environment, amidst a 23-year megadrought in the U.S. Southwest. Our unique contribution in this area includes our pioneering efforts to introduce and cultivate agave and other succulents to northern New Mexico.

Educational opportunities are offered through our workshops that are open to the public and promoted with our work with multiple partners, as well as our work with local schools, as well as via our hosting of farm interns through the Worldwide Opportunities in Organic Farming (WWOOF) organization.

Our community work focuses on resolving food insecurity issues, assisting underserved farmers, particularly Mexican, indigenous and other immigrant farm workers through programs and partnerships that teach them regenerative agriculture, as well as increase awareness among the general public about their historical, cultural and social contributions here in New Mexico.

We also aspire to rejuvenate the magical landscape through ecosystem restoration and regenerative agriculture that includes outdoor and greenhouse gardens replete with edible native plants and trees, such as cacti, agave, succulents, legumes, herbs, microgreens, fruits and vegetables. Currently, our animals include meat and egg-laying chickens and goats that we integrate into our farming practices via rotational grazing and the creation of compost and organic-based soil amendments.