M. Lois Stanford

Dr. M. Lois Stanford is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Anthropology at New Mexico State University. Her work focuses on agricultural anthropology, globalization's impact on food systems, and community development in Mexico and the U.S. Southwest. She serves as graduate advisor for the Food Studies minor and undergraduate advisor for the Sustainable Development program.

Her research explores binational avocado industries, traditional Purhépecha foodways in Michoacán, and New Mexico's chile industry and CSA networks. She collaborates with institutions like El Colegio de México and CIESAS-Occidente, and co-leads a grant proposal with Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo. She also edits the newsletter for Mysterious Horizons, a Mesilla Valley CSA.

Dr. Stanford’s current projects include a forthcoming book on avocado industries and a collaborative volume on North American food systems. Her work bridges academic research with community engagement, emphasizing food security, cultural identity preservation, and sustainable agricultural practices.