2025 New Mexico Farm and Ranch

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Inside this issue

09

Jim and Nita Taylor named 2024 Farm Family of the Year

10

Leon Nall (and wife Waynell pictured) named 2024 Volunteer of the Year

12 09

NMAITC awards the 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year

2025 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW

15-16

What to expect in the upcoming 60-day legislative session

7-8

2024 Annual Meeting Highlights

Columns

NMF&LB President AFBF President NMF&LB CEO NMAITC NMAITC 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year Learning New AGtivities at Annual Conference

Highlights 2024 Annual Meeting

3 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

On the Cover: Jim Taylor, husband of Nita Taylor, named 2024 Farm Family of the Year.

NMF&LB President’s Column From the President

By Larry Reagan

Stay Involved During the 2025 Legislative Session

We are once again preparing for the January legislative session. This 60-day session, beginning January 21, will introduce many bills crucial to agriculture, including the Paid Family Medical Leave Act (PFMLA), the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (a pair of bills seeking to change the name to the Department of Wildlife and reform the governing board), Clean Fuel Standards, Right to Repair, and more.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of our very own farmers and ranchers taking part in committees and giving their testimony on important legislation affecting everyone in agriculture, complemented by lobbyists and staff to support those interests.

Reagan cont. on page 5

AFBF President’s Column The Zipline

By Zippy Duvall

Making Ag Trade a Priority

The new year always feels like a fresh start, a time to plan for the months ahead and think about what needs to get done. For farmers, it’s a chance to think about our upcoming planting season, what we want our herds to look like or even what projects around the farm we plan to take on.

It’s also a chance to look beyond our farms and look toward what challenges and opportunities lie ahead for American agriculture in 2025.

One looming challenge for agriculture this year is our projected trade deficit. According to the USDA’s latest outlook, we are expecting a $45.5 billion agricultural trade deficit for 2025.

Duvall cont. on page 5

NMF&LB CEO’s Column Field Notes

By Elizabeth Foster

NMF&LB New Year’s Resolutions

I want to thank our county leaders and our Farm Bureau Financial Services agents for working with us to build stronger local Farm Bureaus through membership and programs. We are only as strong as our membership. Having strong voices, engaged leaders, and members at the local level is the backbone of the organization. We cannot claim to be grassroots advocates unless we work within our local communities to strengthen the lives of our members.

As we begin a new year, there is always hope and inspiration in what is coming. I encourage each member to find new ways to engage with your local Farm Bureaus and recruit your neighbors to join you. Several events are coming up that can allow you to network and increase your influence both in your industry and community.

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Foster cont. on page 5

NMF&LB President’s Column Continued From the President

By Larry Reagan

Legislators want to hear the firsthand stories of how you support yourselves and your local communities by producing the food everyone needs to survive.

We will do our best to keep everyone informed about upcoming proposed legislation and the committee meetings where they are introduced. We need you, the very faces of New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers, to represent our interests at the grassroots level if we are to continue to strengthen the agriculture industry within our diverse state.

AFBF President’s Column Continued The Zipline

By Zippy Duvall

This is now the third year in a row that exports have dropped while our imports continue to climb. And while the decline of commodity prices may explain part of the problem, the other issue is that the U.S. has been practically standing still on trade agreements while other countries have moved forward without us. Over the past decade, we have seen very few new trade deals, and our farmers continue to get priced out by countries that have fewer trade barriers.

Agricultural trade must become a priority for our new administration this year so that we as farmers can continue our mission of ensuring that everyone has access to the best food, fiber and renewable energy in the world. We need a proactive approach to opening new markets, strategizing or limiting trade barriers and keeping our products competitive in the global market.

Read the full article at https://www.fb.org/the-zipline/making-ag-trade-a-priority.

NMF&LB CEO’s Column Continued Field Notes

By Elizabeth Foster

Ag Fest is back this year and all members are invited to join us. This is an evening with other agricultural groups and New Mexico’s governing leaders; a night where the New Mexico agriculture industry can stand together and share why we are critical to the community.

This is important as we enter the legislative session, allowing us to educate our communities and fellow New Mexicans about the food supply chain. We hope you will be able to attend.

I also encourage each member to reach out to your local county farm bureaus and attend one of their community-supported activities. Things are happening at the local level this spring, which is always a great opportunity to give back and network with your fellow members.

5 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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2025 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW What to expect in the 60-day session

By Jason Espinoza, KW Consulting, LLC The 2025 legislative session will quickly be upon us. This year is a 60-day legislative session, which will begin on January 21 and run through noon on March 20. A key theme for this year’s legislative session is “change.” Due to election turnover, thirty-eight percent of the members of the Senate will be new, and 19 percent of the members of the House of Representatives will be new. Due to legislative retirements, there are many new faces that will serve as leaders in their respective caucuses. Additionally, women hold 60 of the 112 seats in the New Mexico Legislature, making it the largest female legislative majority in United States history.

Budget Crafting a state budget is one of the most significant and complex responsibilities our legislators undertake. It requires careful consideration to ensure taxpayer dollars are allocated responsibly and with maximum impact. According to the most recent Consensus Revenue Estimate, the state anticipates $892.4 million in “new money” for the upcoming fiscal year— unallocated funds available for investment in key priorities.

In early December, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham released the FY26 Executive Budget Recommendation, proposing $10.9 billion in recurring spending—an increase of 5.3% over current year spending. The proposal maintains reserves at 30.4%. The Executive Budget Recommendation prioritizes “early childhood education, clean energy, infrastructure, affordable housing and expanded healthcare access.”

Notably, the recommendation dedicates over $200 million to implementing the 50-Year Water Action Plan, including $10 million specifically for the Department of Agriculture to advance sustainable water-conservation technologies and practices in agriculture.

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Member Engagement The strength of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau lies in the dedication and advocacy of you, our members. Together, we are a powerful voice for agriculture and rural communities across our state. As we approach the 2025 legislative session, your engagement has never been more critical. By staying connected with your state legislators and responding to our calls to action, you ensure that agriculture remains a top priority in New Mexico.

Associations like ours thrive on collective action. When we speak together, we create change. Watch for our session reports and alerts—we count on your participation to shape the policies that impact our way of life. Your voice is not just important; it’s indispensable. Let’s make a difference— together.

Priorities New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau’s state board has adopted the following 2025 legislative priorities: Oppose • Oppose expanding the scope of New Mexico Department of Game and Fish » The previously proposed bills sought to rename the agency to the Department of Wildlife and widen its mission to support animals beyond hunting or angling. They also aimed to change the structure of the agency’s governing board and create position credentials.

Oppose • Oppose a “Green Constitutional Amendment” » Constitutional amendments like these can foster litigation for any perceived infringement on your natural resource rights. Programs addressing environmental issues should be voluntary, incentivebased, and support market-driven innovation.

Oppose • Oppose a Paid Family Medical Leave mandate » Paid family medical leave programs generally provide employees with paid time off to care for family members or a new child. During previous legislative sessions, proposed bills broadly defined the circumstance under which paid family and medical leave could be taken, required that both employers and employees paid into the program, and offered up to 12 weeks of paid leave.

Oppose • Oppose mandates on New Mexico’s small businesses » Policies that support the resiliency of New Mexico’s rural communities are critical to their prosperity.

Support • Animal health and access to care are of utmost importance to New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers. » Support for: Veterinarian licensing for technicians Loan repayment Funding for ALIRT and internships Tele-med feasibility Expand WICHE Support • Legislation to aid natural disasters » Support for: Suspension of anti-donation clause during declared natural disasters Preemptive plans for natural disasters created by previous disasters (flooding following wildfires) Creation of Rural Fire Protection Associations

AgFest is a ticketed event.

Please contact Bailey Hart at baileyh@nmflb.org to reserve yours today!

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2024 Farm Family of the Year Jim and Nita Taylor Named 2024 Farm Family of the Year

Long time sweethearts, Jim and Nita Taylor were married in Capitan, New Mexico, in 1969. Raised in Lincoln County, Jim attended Capitan High School, where he enjoyed multiple sports. After high school, he attended NMSU where he obtained a BS in Agricultural Biology in 1966 and then an MS in Range Science in 1973. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service from 1967-1969, and for NMSU from 1969-1975. In 1975, Jim began working for Albuquerque PCA as a Loan Officer, meeting and working with agriculture producers. In 1991, he transferred to Clovis PCA, then back to Albuquerque Farm Credit in 1994, and retired in 2000 to ranch full-time.

Nita also attended Capitan High School and in 1968, Nita attended NMSU where she obtained a BS in Math Education.

She began working for Mountain Bell as an Operator in Las Cruces in 1969, and she retired thirty-six years later in Albuquerque as Director of Regulatory Affairs at Qwest. Nita then accepted a position with the State Bar of New Mexico as Pro Bono Coordinator (2006-2011) and assumed the position of County Manager for Lincoln County. She retired in 2020 to join Jim on the ranch.

Jim and Nita rebuilt and now live at Nita’s grandparents’ home in Capitan, where Nita was raised. Ranching has long been a part of both of their lives. Nita’s grandparents, Mack and Georgia Campbell, had a ranch at Midway between Hobbs and Carlsbad, now known as Campbell Road. Jim’s great-granddad, George Coe, was a pioneer farmer and rancher who came down the Santa Fe Trail in 1874 at the age of seventeen, trading herding loose stock for traveling with a wagon train. Great Grandpa Coe settled at Sugareet, above the questioned Maxwell Land Grant. He decided to move to Lincoln County, New Mexico, in 1876. His ranch, known as the Perry Ranch Corporation, is still in operation today with Jim serving as President and Manager.

9 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Jim and Nita purchased their own ranch north of Duran in 1982, consisting of 1,120 acres and becoming the proud start of their ranching journey. They soon leased Jim’s dad’s place along the Bonito Creek, and in 2008, they purchased farmland with its acequia and U.S. Forest Permit from Fred Pfingsten, long-term respected rancher. These properties, combined with the Perry Ranch, compile their family operation. They are proud of their angus herd that has been built up over 40 years.

The Taylors are honored to be selected for this recognition.

Jim and Nita note they would not be here without the dedication and commitment of their kids and grandkids: Kristi and Danny Montano with Amber and Daniel, and Kyle and Anne Taylor with Kylee, Jackson, Logan, Jolie and the newest addition, a great-grandchild, Nico.

Left: Jim Taylor; Right: Nita Taylor. Photo provided by the Taylor family.

Leon Nall Named 2024 Volunteer of the Year Leon Nall grew up on a family farm north of Floyd, New Mexico, that his granddad acquired in 1921. Leon’s father was born on the farm and lived there all his life. Leon’s son, Tait, has acquired the farm and lives there today.

Leon married his wife, Waynell, 32 years ago and they raised two children, Tait of Floyd and Tessa of Dallas, Texas. Tait and his wife, Maeve, blessed Leon and Waynell with a granddaughter and are expecting another child this January.

Leon attended school at Floyd and was involved in FFA, receiving the State Farmer degree and serving as the chapter President. He also attended Clovis Community College and continued his education with industrial electronics at Eastern New Mexico University.

Leon is thankful for the opportunities God has given him, allowing him to continue to produce and serve in the agricultural industry. He has been blessed to farm and ranch all his life while experiencing renown success with electronics, communications, customer relations, and community service.

He then began working with two-way radio systems, paging, and mobile phone systems. Leon supported communication systems serving public safety (fire rescue and law enforcement) and agriculture in New Mexico and west Texas. This career gave Leon the opportunity to travel to many counties and villages in our state, gaining many valued friendships today.

This career soon evolved into cellular telephone service and support. He retired from Roosevelt County Rural Telephone after 32 years.

Leon has served on the Roosevelt County Farm & Livestock Board for many years and currently serves as the President.

Leon also served on the Floyd School Board for 24 years and serves on the Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative board.

Leon is involved with the Eastern New Mexico College Daze Rodeo and was honored for his service in 2024.

10 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Left: Leon Nall; Right: Waynell Nall. Photo provided by the Nall family.

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11 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

AG ADVOCACY

NEWS

2024-25 NMAITC Teachers of the Year Honored If you ask any third or fourth grader at Doña Ana Elementary what agriculture is, they can enthusiastically educate you about it. Lead teachers, Alice Mirabal and Annette Arguello, were selected to be honored at the 108th New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau Annual Meeting as the 2024-2025 New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom Teachers of the Year. New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC) began working with the third and fourth grades two years ago as part of a pilot program to design the layout for a school adoption program that could be replicated statewide to provide opportunities for students to connect with agriculture, STEM, and explore real-world problem-solving. “These two veteran, Nationally Board-Certified educators are accustomed to going above and beyond when it comes to helping their students make important learning connections. It is a pleasure to provide the kudos they so richly deserve through this award,” said Traci Curry, Director of NMAITC. “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 climate and water availability impacts farming practices, as well as how it plays a central role in our state’s culture and economy,” says Mrs. Mirabal. Students have explored Percha Dam State Park to help them better articulate that water is needed for food production and conservation methods are important to sustainable agricultural methods.

Alice Mirabal

Annette Arguello

They have also visited New Mexico State University College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences to connect with important research that ultimately impacts food production and agricultural practices. During this field trip, students got the chance to explore a college campus while learning about various topics that are taught and researched on campus. “Opportunities such as these help our students visualize attending college while illustrating how 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 conference provides outstanding professional development workshops, traveling tours, networking, and vast resources to ensure teachers have everything they need to continue to teach about agriculture.

Alice Mirabal and Annette Arguello stand for photos with Shae Devers, Patty Waid, Doña Ana Elementary Principal Mrs. Love, Britney Lardner, and Traci Curry Patty Waid, NMF&LB Foundation Board Member, announcing the 2024 Teachers of the Year

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NEWS

Sharing Ag Advocacy & Learning New AGtivities at Annual Conference

Leon Nall and Deena Kinman Roosevelt County Farm Bureau

New Mexico Ag in the Classroom had a chance to meet with volunteers from all over the state of New Mexico—our dear farmers and ranchers! They are the purest form of “foundation” that we have in our state. Together, we talked about all the ins and outs of what New Mexico Ag in the Classroom does, inside and around the classrooms, throughout the year in our local communities. We appreciate the love, support, and willingness to get things movin’ and groovin’ when it comes to all things education for your youth and general consumers. Here’s to another great year of New Mexico county Farm & Livestock Bureaus—IN THE CLASSROOM! Please contact us to join you at your next county meeting, request a training on a presentation or activity, and share with us your success! Email Britney Lardner at agclass1@nmflb.org to get connected.

Leon Nall, Bailey, and Zane Slater Roosevelt, Curry County Farm Bureau

Collegiate Farm Bureau members

Carlina and Margene Harris Socorro County Farm Bureau & Fayth Gillespie - Tactica Strategies

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Melinda Jackson Chaves County Farm Bureau

Don and Cheryl Hartman Luna County Farm Bureau

Ron Baca San Juan County Farm Bureau

Candy Sweetser - Luna County Farm Bureau & NMDA Congressional staff for Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernandez, Kristin Graham Chaves - USDA NRCS

Brenda and Sam Ramirez Mora/San Miguel County Farm Bureau

Jim Armendariz & NRCS team

Thank you for a fabulous 2024! from

Platinum Apple Sponsors

Gold Apple Sponsors

Silver Apple Sponsors

Copper Apple Sponsors

American Pistachio Growers Corriente CowBelles Corteva Agriscience First American Bank Grant County Farm & Livestock Bureau Heart of the Desert Pistachios High Plains Journal

Apple Sponsors Lyles Farms Foundation, Inc. Mesilla Valley Transportation Mosaic Company National Agriculture in the Classroom New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association New Mexico CowBelles

New Mexico FFA Association New Mexico Mining Association Paul's Veterinary Supply Peregrine Corporation Roswell Livestock & Farm Supply Seco Spice Western Pecan Growers Association

2024 Annual Meeting Highlights

Attendees thank New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers.

Fallon Velasquez wins first place at the 2024 YF&R Collegiate Discussion Meet.

NMDA Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Les Owen, awards NMF&LB for sponsoring AgDay.

Media Person of the Year, Top Junior Agent, and Top Senior Agent awards for 2024.

NMAITC receives $15,000 award from American AgCredit.

NMF&LB President Larry Raegan and his wife, Kathy, pose for photos at Annual Meeting.

Caren Cowan honored as Media Person of the Year.

2024 Annual Meeting Highlights Continued

Jim and Nita Taylor and their family awarded as 2024 Farm Family of the Year.

The awards banquet reception luncheon.

NMAITC hosts interactive booth at the Trade Show.

Photo of the 2024 Delegate Report after the legislative session.

Left: Farm Bureau Financial Services booth at the Trade Show.

Right: Principal Love and husband enjoying awards banquet dinner.

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

STAFF

Ron Baca, Aztec Macey McDonald, Clovis Bud Deerman, La Mesa

Cecilia Diaz-Johnson Director of Finance

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

Traci Curry Director of NMAITC 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