One example of a land grant in New Mexico today is the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant, located in northern New Mexico. This land grant is used primarily for agricultural purposes, including farming and ranching, as well as community development and cultural preservation activities for the descendants of the original grantees.
Compared to land grants that existed in the past, such as those granted during the Spanish and Mexican colonial periods, the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant faces modern challenges such as legal disputes over land rights and water access. Historically, land grants often involved vast tracts of land given to individuals or communities with the understanding of agriculture and settlement. Today, while the purpose of land grants still includes agricultural use, there is a greater emphasis on land reclamation, cultural identity, and community rights, reflecting the evolution of land use and governance in contemporary society.