™ ® April 2014
Volume 71, No. 4
The Future Food Producers
by Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications and Media Relations
Above: Members of New Mexico Farm &Livestock Bureau’s Collegiate and YF&R Committees visited the nation’s capitol before heading to Virginia Beach for the AFBF National Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference. Below: Danielle Lowry, YF&R Committee Chair, addresses the conference during State Introductions.
While nation-wide the number of farmers and ranchers is dwindling, in New Mexico two groups that encourage youth to follow an agricultural career path are growing. NMSU Collegiate Farm Bureau and the NMF&LB Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee has seen significant increase in their membership in the last couple of years. “We are working hard to attract new members and that effort is paying off,” says Danielle Lowry, YF&R Committee Chair. These two groups have been very active of late and one of their latest endeavors was to make hill visits, connecting with congressional members Ben Ray Lujan, Michelle LujanGrisham, and Senator Tom Udall. “This was an excellent opportunity to give voice to the concerns of New Mexico’s food producers,” said Joseph April 2014
Ogden, President of NMSU Collegiate Farm Bureau. “We appreciate the time they spent with us.” Leaving D.C., the group attended the American Farm Bureau Federation’s National YF&R Conference in Virginia Beach. Joel Alderete, YF&R Coordinator said the conference was a good experience. “The sessions were timely and informative, and it really motivated our members to become more active.” In addition to
seminars on current issues and the future of agriculture, the conference also hosted a discussion meet where continued on pg. 6
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