THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®
Nall (and wife Waynell pictured) named
From the President By Larry Reagan
StayInvolvedDuringthe2025LegislativeSession
WeareonceagainpreparingfortheJanuarylegislativesession This60-daysession,beginning January21,willintroducemanybillscrucialtoagriculture,includingthePaidFamilyMedical LeaveAct(PFMLA),theNewMexicoDepartmentofGameandFish(apairofbillsseekingto changethenametotheDepartmentofWildlifeandreformthegoverningboard),CleanFuel Standards,RighttoRepair,andmore
Icannotemphasizeenoughtheimportanceofourveryownfarmersandrancherstakingpart incommitteesandgivingtheirtestimonyonimportantlegislationaffectingeveryonein agriculture,complementedbylobbyistsandstafftosupportthoseinterests.
AFBF President’s Column The Zipline MakingAgTradeaPriority By Zippy Duvall
Thenewyearalwaysfeelslikeafreshstart,atimetoplanforthemonthsaheadandthinkabout whatneedstogetdone Forfarmers,it’sachancetothinkaboutourupcomingplantingseason, whatwewantourherdstolooklikeorevenwhatprojectsaroundthefarmweplantotakeon It’salsoachancetolookbeyondourfarmsandlooktowardwhatchallengesandopportunities lieaheadforAmericanagriculturein2025.
Oneloomingchallengeforagriculturethisyearisourprojectedtradedeficit.Accordingtothe USDA’slatestoutlook,weareexpectinga$45.5billionagriculturaltradedeficitfor2025.
Field Notes NMF&LBNewYear’sResolutions By Elizabeth Foster
IwanttothankourcountyleadersandourFarmBureauFinancialServicesagentsforworking withustobuildstrongerlocalFarmBureausthroughmembershipandprograms.Weareonly asstrongasourmembership.Havingstrongvoices,engagedleaders,andmembersatthelocal levelisthebackboneoftheorganization.Wecannotclaimtobegrassrootsadvocatesunlesswe workwithinourlocalcommunitiestostrengthenthelivesofourmembers
Aswebeginanewyear,thereisalwayshopeandinspirationinwhatiscoming Iencourage eachmembertofindnewwaystoengagewithyourlocalFarmBureausandrecruityour neighborstojoinyou Severaleventsarecomingupthatcanallowyoutonetworkandincrease yourinfluencebothinyourindustryandcommunity.
From the President By Larry Reagan
Legislatorswanttohearthefirsthandstoriesofhowyousupportyourselvesandyourlocal communitiesbyproducingthefoodeveryoneneedstosurvive.
Wewilldoourbesttokeepeveryoneinformedaboutupcomingproposedlegislationandthe committeemeetingswheretheyareintroduced.Weneedyou,theveryfacesofNewMexico’s farmersandranchers,torepresentourinterestsatthegrassrootslevelifwearetocontinueto strengthentheagricultureindustrywithinourdiversestate.
AFBF President’s Column Continued NMF&LB President’s Column The Zipline By Zippy Duvall
Thisisnowthethirdyearinarowthatexportshavedroppedwhileourimportscontinueto climb Andwhilethedeclineofcommoditypricesmayexplainpartoftheproblem,theother issueisthattheUS hasbeenpracticallystandingstillontradeagreementswhileothercountries havemovedforwardwithoutus Overthepastdecade,wehaveseenveryfewnewtradedeals, andourfarmerscontinuetogetpricedoutbycountriesthathavefewertradebarriers.
Agriculturaltrademustbecomeapriorityforournewadministrationthisyearsothatweas farmerscancontinueourmissionofensuringthateveryonehasaccesstothebestfood,fiberand renewableenergyintheworld.Weneedaproactiveapproachtoopeningnewmarkets, strategizingorlimitingtradebarriersandkeepingourproductscompetitiveintheglobalmarket Readthefullarticleathttps://wwwfborg/the-zipline/making-ag-trade-a-priority
Field Notes By Elizabeth Foster
AgFestisbackthisyearandallmembersareinvitedtojoinus.Thisisaneveningwithother agriculturalgroupsandNewMexico’sgoverningleaders;anightwheretheNewMexico agricultureindustrycanstandtogetherandsharewhywearecriticaltothecommunity Thisisimportantasweenterthelegislativesession,allowingustoeducateourcommunities andfellowNewMexicansaboutthefoodsupplychain Wehopeyouwillbeabletoattend
Ialsoencourageeachmembertoreachouttoyourlocalcountyfarmbureausandattendone oftheircommunity-supportedactivities.Thingsarehappeningatthelocallevelthisspring, whichisalwaysagreatopportunitytogivebackandnetworkwithyourfellowmembers.
No better time for a
We’re in the business of protecting you today and in the future. Working together, we’ll do a SuperCheck to review your insurance, evaluate your deductibles and explore potential savings opportunities while maintaining the great service and quality coverage you’ve come to expect.
Contact your Farm Bureau agent to schedule your SuperCheck.
2025 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW What to expect in the 60-day session ByJasonEspinoza,KWConsulting,LLC
The2025legislativesessionwillquicklybeuponus.Thisyear isa60-daylegislativesession,whichwillbeginonJanuary21 andrunthroughnoononMarch20 Akeythemeforthis year ’slegislativesessionis“change”Duetoelectionturnover, thirty-eightpercentofthemembersoftheSenatewillbenew, and19percentofthemembersoftheHouseof Representativeswillbenew.Duetolegislativeretirements, therearemanynewfacesthatwillserveasleadersintheir respectivecaucuses.Additionally,womenhold60ofthe112 seatsintheNewMexicoLegislature,makingitthelargest femalelegislativemajorityinUnitedStateshistory.
Budget Craftingastatebudgetisoneofthemostsignificantand complexresponsibilitiesourlegislatorsundertake Itrequires carefulconsiderationtoensuretaxpayerdollarsareallocated responsiblyandwithmaximumimpact Accordingtothemost recentConsensusRevenueEstimate,thestateanticipates $892.4millionin“newmoney”fortheupcomingfiscalyear unallocatedfundsavailableforinvestmentinkeypriorities.
InearlyDecember,GovernorMichelleLujanGrishamreleased theFY26ExecutiveBudgetRecommendation,proposing $109billioninrecurringspending anincreaseof53%over currentyearspending Theproposalmaintainsreservesat 304% TheExecutiveBudgetRecommendationprioritizes “earlychildhoodeducation,cleanenergy,infrastructure, affordablehousingandexpandedhealthcareaccess.”
Notably,therecommendationdedicatesover$200millionto implementingthe50-YearWaterActionPlan,including$10 millionspecificallyfortheDepartmentofAgricultureto advancesustainablewater-conservationtechnologiesand practicesinagriculture
MemberEngagement ThestrengthoftheNewMexicoFarm&LivestockBureaulies inthededicationandadvocacyofyou,ourmembers Together, weareapowerfulvoiceforagricultureandruralcommunities acrossourstate Asweapproachthe2025legislativesession, yourengagementhasneverbeenmorecritical Bystaying connectedwithyourstatelegislatorsandrespondingtoour callstoaction,youensurethatagricultureremainsatop priorityinNewMexico.
Associationslikeoursthriveoncollectiveaction.Whenwe speaktogether,wecreatechange.Watchforoursessionreports andalerts wecountonyourparticipationtoshapethe policiesthatimpactourwayoflife Yourvoiceisnotjust important;it’sindispensable Let’smakeadifference together
Priorities NewMexicoFarm&LivestockBureau’sstateboardhas adoptedthefollowing2025legislativepriorities:
Oppose
•OpposeexpandingthescopeofNewMexico DepartmentofGameandFish
»Thepreviouslyproposedbillssoughttorename theagencytotheDepartmentofWildlifeand widenitsmissiontosupportanimalsbeyond huntingorangling.Theyalsoaimedtochangethe structureoftheagency’sgoverningboardand createpositioncredentials
Oppose
•Opposea“GreenConstitutionalAmendment” »Constitutionalamendmentslikethesecanfoster litigationforanyperceivedinfringementonyour naturalresourcerights.Programsaddressing environmentalissuesshouldbevoluntary,incentivebased,andsupportmarket-driveninnovation
Oppose
•OpposeaPaidFamilyMedicalLeavemandate
»Paidfamilymedicalleaveprogramsgenerally provideemployeeswithpaidtimeofftocarefor familymembersoranewchild Duringprevious legislativesessions,proposedbillsbroadlydefinedthe circumstanceunderwhichpaidfamilyandmedical leavecouldbetaken,requiredthatbothemployers andemployeespaidintotheprogram,andofferedup to12weeksofpaidleave.
Oppose
•OpposemandatesonNewMexico’ssmallbusinesses »PoliciesthatsupporttheresiliencyofNewMexico’s ruralcommunitiesarecriticaltotheirprosperity.
Support
•Animalhealthandaccesstocareareofutmost importancetoNewMexico’sfarmersand ranchers.
»Supportfor: Veterinarianlicensingfortechnicians
Loanrepayment
FundingforALIRTandinternships
Tele-medfeasibility
ExpandWICHE
Support
•Legislationtoaidnaturaldisasters
»Supportfor: Suspensionofanti-donationclauseduring declarednaturaldisasters
Preemptiveplansfornaturaldisasterscreatedby previousdisasters(floodingfollowingwildfires)
CreationofRuralFireProtectionAssociations
Longtimesweethearts,JimandNitaTaylorweremarriedin Capitan,NewMexico,in1969 RaisedinLincolnCounty,Jim attendedCapitanHighSchool,whereheenjoyedmultiple sports Afterhighschool,heattendedNMSUwherehe obtainedaBSinAgriculturalBiologyin1966andthenanMS inRangeSciencein1973 HeworkedfortheUS ForestService from1967-1969,andforNMSUfrom1969-1975.In1975,Jim beganworkingforAlbuquerquePCAasaLoanOfficer, meetingandworkingwithagricultureproducers. In1991,he transferredtoClovisPCA,thenbacktoAlbuquerqueFarm Creditin1994,andretiredin2000toranchfull-time.
NitaalsoattendedCapitanHighSchoolandin1968,Nita attendedNMSUwheresheobtainedaBSinMathEducation. ShebeganworkingforMountainBellasanOperatorinLas Crucesin1969,andsheretiredthirty-sixyearslaterin AlbuquerqueasDirectorofRegulatoryAffairsatQwest Nita thenacceptedapositionwiththeStateBarofNewMexicoas ProBonoCoordinator(2006-2011)andassumedtheposition ofCountyManagerforLincolnCounty Sheretiredin2020to joinJimontheranch
JimandNitarebuiltandnowliveatNita’sgrandparents’home inCapitan,whereNitawasraised.Ranchinghaslongbeena partofbothoftheirlives.Nita’sgrandparents,Mackand GeorgiaCampbell,hadaranchatMidwaybetweenHobbsand Carlsbad,nowknownasCampbellRoad.Jim’sgreat-granddad, GeorgeCoe,wasapioneerfarmerandrancherwhocamedown theSantaFeTrailin1874attheageofseventeen,trading herdingloosestockfortravelingwithawagontrain.Great GrandpaCoesettledatSugareet,abovethequestionedMaxwell LandGrant.HedecidedtomovetoLincolnCounty,New Mexico,in1876 Hisranch,knownasthePerryRanch Corporation,isstillinoperationtodaywithJimservingas PresidentandManager
2024 Farm Family of the Year JimandNitapurchasedtheirownranchnorthofDuranin 1982,consistingof1,120acresandbecomingtheproud startoftheirranchingjourney TheysoonleasedJim’sdad’s placealongtheBonitoCreek,andin2008,theypurchased farmlandwithitsacequiaandUS ForestPermitfromFred Pfingsten,long-termrespectedrancher Theseproperties, combinedwiththePerryRanch,compiletheirfamily operation.Theyareproudoftheirangusherdthathasbeen builtupover40years.
TheTaylorsarehonoredtobeselectedforthisrecognition. JimandNitanotetheywouldnotbeherewithoutthe dedicationandcommitmentoftheirkidsandgrandkids: KristiandDannyMontanowithAmberandDaniel,and KyleandAnneTaylorwithKylee,Jackson,Logan,Jolieand thenewestaddition,agreat-grandchild,Nico
JimandNitaTaylorNamed2024FarmFamilyoftheYear Left:JimTaylor;Right:NitaTaylor PhotoprovidedbytheTaylorfamily
LeonNallgrewuponafamilyfarmnorthofFloyd,New Mexico,thathisgranddadacquiredin1921.Leon’sfatherwas bornonthefarmandlivedthereallhislife.Leon’sson,Tait, hasacquiredthefarmandlivestheretoday.
LeonattendedschoolatFloydandwasinvolvedinFFA, receivingtheStateFarmerdegreeandservingasthechapter President HealsoattendedClovisCommunityCollegeand continuedhiseducationwithindustrialelectronicsatEastern NewMexicoUniversity
Hethenbeganworkingwithtwo-wayradiosystems,paging, andmobilephonesystems.Leonsupportedcommunication systemsservingpublicsafety(firerescueandlawenforcement) andagricultureinNewMexicoandwestTexas.Thiscareer gaveLeontheopportunitytotraveltomanycountiesand villagesinourstate,gainingmanyvaluedfriendshipstoday. Thiscareersoonevolvedintocellulartelephoneserviceand support.HeretiredfromRooseveltCountyRuralTelephone after32years.
LeonhasservedontheRooseveltCountyFarm&Livestock BoardformanyyearsandcurrentlyservesasthePresident LeonalsoservedontheFloydSchoolBoardfor24yearsand servesontheRooseveltCountyElectricCooperativeboard LeonisinvolvedwiththeEasternNewMexicoCollegeDaze Rodeoandwashonoredforhisservicein2024
Leonmarriedhiswife,Waynell,32yearsagoandtheyraised twochildren,TaitofFloydandTessaofDallas,Texas.Taitand hiswife,Maeve,blessedLeonandWaynellwitha granddaughterandareexpectinganotherchildthisJanuary.
LeonisthankfulfortheopportunitiesGodhasgivenhim, allowinghimtocontinuetoproduceandserveinthe agriculturalindustry Hehasbeenblessedtofarmandranchall hislifewhileexperiencingrenownsuccesswithelectronics, communications,customerrelations,andcommunityservice
NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU YoungFarmersandRanchers AreyouayoungfarmerorrancherinterestedinmakingadifferenceinNewMexicoagriculture?
JOINYF&RFORFREETODAY! -ADVOCATE FOR AGRICULTURE -ATTEND NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCES AND CONVENTIONS
-REPRESENT NEW MEXICO IN NATIONAL COMPETITIONS
-MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LOCAL AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY
-MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LOCAL AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY
-SUPPORT OTHER YOUNG AGRICULTURISTS
CALL 575 532 4700 OR FOLLOW US AT @NEWMEXICOYFR ON INSTAGRAM OR NMF&LB YOUNG FARMERS & RANCHERS PROGRAM ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE INFORMATION
AGADVOCACY NEWS 2024-25NMAITCTeachersoftheYearHonored IfyouaskanythirdorfourthgraderatDoñaAnaElementarywhatagricultureis,theycanenthusiasticallyeducateyou aboutitLeadteachers,AliceMirabalandAnnetteArguello,wereselectedtobehonoredatthe108thNewMexicoFarm& LivestockBureauAnnualMeetingasthe2024-2025NewMexicoAgricultureintheClassroomTeachersoftheYearNew MexicoAgricultureintheClassroom(NMAITC)beganworkingwiththethirdandfourthgradestwoyearsagoaspartof apilotprogramtodesignthelayoutforaschooladoptionprogramthatcouldbereplicatedstatewidetoprovide opportunitiesforstudentstoconnectwithagriculture,STEM,andexplorereal-worldproblem-solving“Thesetwo veteran,NationallyBoard-Certifiededucatorsareaccustomedtogoingaboveandbeyondwhenitcomestohelpingtheir studentsmakeimportantlearningconnections.Itisapleasuretoprovidethekudostheysorichlydeservethroughthis award,”saidTraciCurry,DirectorofNMAITC.
“By exposing students to local agriculture and the environment in our own Mesilla Valley, students learn about how Native American and Hispanic communities have traditionally farmed the land as well as explore how local climateandwateravailabilityimpactsfarmingpractices,aswellashowitplaysa central role in our state’s culture and economy, ” says Mrs Mirabal Students haveexploredPerchaDamStateParktohelpthembetterarticulatethatwateris needed for food production and conservation methods are important to sustainableagriculturalmethods
They have also visited New Mexico State University College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences to connect with important research thatultimatelyimpactsfoodproductionandagriculturalpractices.Duringthis field trip, students got the chance to explore a college campus while learning aboutvarioustopicsthataretaughtandresearchedoncampus “Opportunities suchasthesehelpourstudentsvisualizeattendingcollegewhileillustratinghow agricultural and food sciences can be wonderful career choices,” says Annette Arguello
For their efforts, Mrs. Mirabal and Mrs. Arguello each received a $500 check, customized award belt buckles, and funding to attend the 2025 National Agriculture in the Classroom Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The conferenceprovidesoutstandingprofessionaldevelopmentworkshops,traveling tours, networking, and vast resources to ensure teachers have everything they needtocontinuetoteachaboutagriculture.
AliceMirabalandAnnette Arguellostandforphotos withShaeDevers,Patty Waid,DoñaAnaElementary PrincipalMrs Love,Britney Lardner,andTraciCurry
AliceMirabal
AnnetteArguello
NewMexicoAgintheClassroomhadachancetomeetwithvolunteersfromallover thestateofNewMexico ourdearfarmersandranchers!Theyarethepurestformof “foundation”thatwehaveinourstate.Together,wetalkedaboutalltheinsandouts ofwhatNewMexicoAgintheClassroomdoes,insideandaroundtheclassrooms, throughouttheyearinourlocalcommunities.Weappreciatethelove,support,and willingnesstogetthingsmovin’andgroovin’whenitcomestoallthingseducationfor youryouthandgeneralconsumers.Here’stoanothergreatyearofNewMexico countyFarm&LivestockBureaus INTHECLASSROOM!
Pleasecontactustojoinyouatyournextcountymeeting,requestatrainingona presentationoractivity,andsharewithusyoursuccess!EmailBritneyLardnerat agclass1@nmflborgtogetconnected
CandySweetser-LunaCountyFarm Bureau&NMDACongressionalstafffor CongresswomanTeresaLegerFernandez, KristinGrahamChaves-USDANRCS
JimArmendariz &NRCSteam
MelindaJackson ChavesCountyFarmBureau
RonBaca SanJuanCountyFarmBureau
BrendaandSamRamirez Mora/SanMiguelCounty FarmBureau
DonandCherylHartman LunaCountyFarmBureau
fabulous 2024! 2024 Annual Meeting Highlights AttendeesthankNewMexico’sfarmers andranchers.
FallonVelasquezwinsfirstplaceatthe2024YF&R CollegiateDiscussionMeet.
NMDADeputy Secretaryof Agriculture,Les Owen,awards NMF&LBfor sponsoringAgDay.
MediaPersonofthe Year,TopJunior Agent,andTop SeniorAgent awardsfor2024.
NMAITCreceives $15,000awardfrom AmericanAgCredit
NMF&LB PresidentLarry Raeganandhis wife,Kathy,pose forphotosat AnnualMeeting.
CarenCowan honoredas
MediaPerson oftheYear.
2024 Annual Meeting Highlights NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAU Since 1917 . . . a Leader in New Mexico
NMF&LB
2220 N. TELSHOR BLVD.
LAS CRUCES, NM 88011 575 532 4700 • FAX: 575 532 4710
OFFICERS
Larry Reagan President, Ft. Sumner
Don Hartman
1st Vice President, Deming
Travis Harris
2nd Vice President, San Antonio
Elizabeth Foster Chief Executive Officer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ron Baca, Aztec
Macey McDonald, Clovis
Bud Deerman, La Mesa
Jim Ellett, Hope
Duane Frost, Claunch
Leon Hemann, McDonald
Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista
John Jackson, Lake Arthur
Russell Johnson, Columbus
Deena Kinman, Elida
Donald Martinez, El Rito
Kim Miller, Grenville
Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas
Troy Sauble, Maxwell
Jamie Viramontes, Deming
Leonard Valerio, Española
Tina Wilson, Las Cruces
Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner
Connie Rooks, Chair
Women’s Leadership Committee
Joel Ferguson, Chair
Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee
STAFF
Traci Curry
Director of NMAITC
Cecilia Diaz-Johnson Director of Finance Britney Lardner
NMAITC Sr. Program Coordinator
Shae Devers
NMAITC Program Coordinator
Benjamin Segovia
Southwest Regional Manager
Noelle Dondero Director of Communications
Katie Adams Director of County and Leadership Development
Logan Stoltz
Regional Manager
Ethan Wright Regional Manager
Theresa Widner
Executive Administrative Assistant
Bailey Hart Office Assistant
