Snap season
Farmer’s photos capture agricultural life in Mesilla Valley
Photos capture beauty of modern farming
Photography of farm life isn’t often displayed in museums.
Las Cruces resident Jay Hill has found inspiration in the Mesilla Valley, and his latest exhibit is on display at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.
“Jay Hill: Our Wholesome Valley” will be on display in Las Cruces until April 2.
Hill’s life as a farmer in the Las Cruces area took on an artistic side when he began taking pictures in 2012.
Since then, his dramatic photographs have captured the beauty of modern farming in the Las Cruces area.
In his brief time of sharing his pictures, he has received much acclaim and has developed
an impressive following on social media and throughout the community.
Hill says his work as a farmer is more than a job, and his passion is obvious.
“For so many, the thought of modern agriculture removes the beauty of the profession,” Hill says. “We have traded the horse and mule for tractors and precision equipment. My journey into agriculture found me wanting to show the world the beauty that exists in modern agriculture.
Hill often takes a different approach in using the space he’s photographing.
“The backdrop of farming in shadows of the Organ Mountains makes my voice clear,” Hill says. “There is a true beauty and purity in working the land. To take a seed and watch it grow into a plant that puts a meal on a family’s table is a humbling experience that is also highly rewarding. These photos are a snapshot into my day-to-day life as a farmer in New Mexico.”
According to the museum, the exhibit features 23 photographs and all are for sale.