NMF&LB Welcomes New Staff Members

The New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau staff team welcomed two new members during the past few months. Erica Valdez joined the team as a regional manager in early May, and Marissa Cereceres joined the team in mid-June as marketing and event manager.

“I am thrilled to have both Erica and Marissa as part of our staff,” said NMF&LB CEO Elizabeth Foster. “I know they will serve our members well and be an integral part of our team as we lead New Mexico’s diverse agriculture through innovation and excellence.”

As a regional manager, Valdez works closely with county Farm Bureaus in the western part of the state. Valdez was raised on her family’s cow-calf ranch in the bootheel of NM. She and her husband, Bobby, manage that same ranch today. They also raise registered Quarter Horses and are approved Ranching Heritage Challenge breeders through AQHA. They both enjoy training horses, roping, and rodeoing. They have a 17-year-old daughter, Danli, who is homeschooled and competes extensively in rodeo, reined cow horse and cutting. She and her family are competing members of AZ Cowpunchers, WRCA, RHAA, and AQHA to name a few. She is also a member of NMCGA, NM Cowbelles and NMF&LB. Valdez has been a part of the Women in Agriculture Leadership Conference planning committee for almost 20 years and also serves as the Reined Cow Horse Director for the NMHSRA. Erica obtained a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and a master’s degree in agricultural education from New Mexico State University (NMSU) and has worked in several facets of the beef industry, from production to marketing and certification but loves the production side the most. She is excited to be a part of the NMF&LB team and is looking forward to working directly with New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers. She’s also looking forward to helping her counties grow their membership base and become more active in programs like YF&R and WLP.

Cereceres joins the marketing and communications team to further NMF&LB as a trusted voice for agriculture. Cereceres is originally from Canutillo, Texas, where she was raised on a small family farm. She is a recent graduate of NMSU where she earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and agricultural business. During her time at NMSU, Cereceres was involved in Sigma Alpha Agricultural Sorority and the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA). In addition to receiving University Honors, Cereceres was on the 2023 National Champion NAMA team at NMSU. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and hanging out with her two dogs, Bailey and Rusty.