LUNA COUNTY RANCHETTE OWNERS ASSOCIATION
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Origin:
In 1972 a few hardy folks, newly retired, made the great adventure of moving
away from kin to the desert, joined in community, committed to each other enough to
build a clubhouse...500 strong by the 1980s. They sponsored annual fiddle contests
plus operated a thrift store. However, within a few years the club became an adjunct
senior center. By 2012 the 100 or so remaining members were ready to throw in the
towel.
Transition:
A small group of & retirees arrived on the scene. They tried
reviving dinners and renting out the clubhouse, but volunteers were in short supply and
the senior center role was no longer needed. In 2015 the clubhouse was sold on a
contract for deed. The thrift store continued until 2018 but with too few volunteers, it
was donated to Deming Silver Linings. The contract for deed for the clubhouse sale
was paid off in 2020 and the Board of directors voted to give $110,000 to the Grant
County Community Foundation to be awarded to nonprofit activities in Luna County.
The Board then began looking at what if any role LCROA might provide to the ranchette
subdivisions of Luna County.
Now:
LCROA, a Force for correcting the ranchette land scam. Today we have
adopted 6 goals which we anticipate will take us to a more active participatory role in re-
making the ranchette subdivisions into viable areas of Luna County’s future.
1. Analyze ground water, current road access, electric power lines, topography,
flooding history etc. overlaid with ranchette ownership records to identify subdivisions
best situated for housing, solar/wind farms, open space or?
2. Host community forums to educate and encourage public discussion about the future
viability of ranchette subdivisions. What role can ranchette subdivisions play to address
housing needs, solar/wind farms, and establish unrestricted migration corridors for
plants and animals moving due to climate change.
3. Establish a tax-exempt nonprofit capable of acquiring ranchette lots to hold for
exchange and large redevelopments which can facilitate open space, solar/wind farms
or housing subdivisions as determined by goals 1 & 2.
4. Help owner members sort through best options for their parcel(s).
5. Continue to provide buy/sell info page for members, especially in replaced housing
subdivisions as identified in goal 1.
6. Continue to advocate for tiny houses and environmentally sustainable development
Adopted by the LCROA Board of Directors 12/20/2022
In 1972 a few hardy folks, newly retired, made the great adventure of moving
away from kin to the desert, joined in community, committed to each other enough to
build a clubhouse...500 strong by the 1980s. They sponsored annual fiddle contests
plus operated a thrift store. However, within a few years the club became an adjunct
senior center. By 2012 the 100 or so remaining members were ready to throw in the
towel.
Transition:
A small group of & retirees arrived on the scene. They tried
reviving dinners and renting out the clubhouse, but volunteers were in short supply and
the senior center role was no longer needed. In 2015 the clubhouse was sold on a
contract for deed. The thrift store continued until 2018 but with too few volunteers, it
was donated to Deming Silver Linings. The contract for deed for the clubhouse sale
was paid off in 2020 and the Board of directors voted to give $110,000 to the Grant
County Community Foundation to be awarded to nonprofit activities in Luna County.
The Board then began looking at what if any role LCROA might provide to the ranchette
subdivisions of Luna County.
Now:
LCROA, a Force for correcting the ranchette land scam. Today we have
adopted 6 goals which we anticipate will take us to a more active participatory role in re-
making the ranchette subdivisions into viable areas of Luna County’s future.
1. Analyze ground water, current road access, electric power lines, topography,
flooding history etc. overlaid with ranchette ownership records to identify subdivisions
best situated for housing, solar/wind farms, open space or?
2. Host community forums to educate and encourage public discussion about the future
viability of ranchette subdivisions. What role can ranchette subdivisions play to address
housing needs, solar/wind farms, and establish unrestricted migration corridors for
plants and animals moving due to climate change.
3. Establish a tax-exempt nonprofit capable of acquiring ranchette lots to hold for
exchange and large redevelopments which can facilitate open space, solar/wind farms
or housing subdivisions as determined by goals 1 & 2.
4. Help owner members sort through best options for their parcel(s).
5. Continue to provide buy/sell info page for members, especially in replaced housing
subdivisions as identified in goal 1.
6. Continue to advocate for tiny houses and environmentally sustainable development
Adopted by the LCROA Board of Directors 12/20/2022
