March 2015 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

™ Volume 72, No. 3

“Our Food Link”

® March 2015

by Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications and Media Relations In what has become an annual tradition of giving, Socorro County Farm Bureau was the first to host a “Food Link” event. FFA and 4-H students were tasked with spending $1,000.00 - $500.00 donated from Socorro County Farm Bureau, with another $500.00 in matching funds from John Brooks Supermart. The groceries were evenly divided between two charities, The Socorro Store House and Puerto Seguro. Socorro FLB delivers their groceries on a flatbed trailer pulled by a tractor, garnering a great deal of attention as they roll through town (photo bottom right).

In Luna County 4-H’ers not only shop, they also contribute funds, along with the BorderBelles, the local affiliate of the New Mexico CowBelles.

John Sweetser, board member for both the county and state Farm Bureau explained “Luna County Farm Bureau donated $500, as did the Luna County 4-H Council, and the BorderBelles kicked in $200 worth of beef.”

For the ninth year, approximately 20 people shopped for the Healing House, spending $1,200 to stock the pantry. Jack Blanford, Luna County Extension Agent and Treasurer for Luna County Farm Bureau explained “This is a great opportunity for the county’s ag community to help those in need.” (Photo bottom left shows the 4-H’ers holding the receipt from Peppers Market.)

The Ronald McDonald House in Albuquerque was the recipient of the Women’s Leadership Committee $1,000 donation. Members of the WLC including Chair Anita Hand (top left with Ronald), Kathy Regan, and Mayra Jackson, along with her husband George, were joined by Danielle Lowry, Chair of the Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee and 4-H’ers from Bernalillo and Dona Ana counties (photo middle left).

These events not only benefit charity, but also highlight the bounty of local farmers and the affordability of food in America. Watch next month’s issue for more Food Link Events in various counties.

March 2015

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at a hotel is not financially possible.

Providing unduplicated services since 1982, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of NM has provided temporary lodging to thousands of families facing this challenging situation.”

IDEAS AND ELBOW GREASE

The President’s Column

By Michael S. White, President

Our Food Link It’s that time of the year again, when you’ve typically made enough money since the beginning of the year to pay, on average, your food bill for the entire year. That used to be the impetus for “Food Check Out Day” and county farm bureau’s across the state would host events at their local grocery store showcasing the affordability of America’s food supply. Well food in America is still more affordable than most of the world and our counties are still hosting events at grocery stores, but now they have a new name – “Our Food Link.”

Why the change? Because it gives us an opportunity to tout our healthy and nutritious products all year long.

Rather than just focus all events during a narrow time frame, the rebranding allows us to spread them out throughout the year, and in the process, gain greater awareness for agriculture.

Of course many activities will remain the same, such as the relationship between NMF&LB’s Women’s Leadership Committee and the Ronald McDonald House in Albuquerque.

For over a decade WLC members and local 4-H’ers have gathered to shop for this worthwhile charity. If you’re not familiar with the Ronald McDonald House, count your lucky stars. But they have an amazing mission, to provide “Comfort, care and a home away from home for families whose children are in medical treatment.” They got their start recognizing that “Every day New Mexico families with critically ill children travel to Albuquerque for essential medical care not available in their own community. Kids in medical crisis need their parents nearby, and families need a temporary home while supporting their ill children. Staying Farm & Ranch Page 2

The WLC has donated over $10,000 to this worthy cause and this year was no exception as they held their shopping event on February 16th. Volunteers shopped and then labeled the items so they could be stocked in the RMH pantries and freezers. Other counties hold similar events, Luna County FLB teams up with 4-H’ers and local CowBelles to assist a local battered women’s shelter and Chaves County FLB’s donation goes to The Assurance Home in Roswell. Socorro hosts a contest between teams made up of 4-H and FFA students to see who can come the closest to the given total they’re supposed to shop for with the beneficiary being divided between the Socorro Store House and Puerto Seguro, a food pantry in Socorro. Jardin de los Ninos, a shelter for homeless children is the recipient of Dona Ana County FLB’s annual donation, while in Lea County they shop for Cornerstone Ministries.

If your county is interested in hosting a Food Link event, AFBF has quite a few suggestions. You can initiate an “Adopt a Farmer” program where your members make visits to classrooms and then host those students at your farm or ranch for a field trip.

Or how about a summer reading program at your local library where you read books about agriculture to students and then donate the book to the library? You can connect with local health conscious foodies by being a sponsor for a local 10K run. Or connect with consumers by hosting a sample table at the local grocery store where in the process of passing out food items you can share your story of farming and ranching. Maybe your county farm bureau has a booth at the local fair - you could offer a scavenger hunt with prizes for those that can find the answers to questions about farming and ranching in your area. The opportunities are limitless!

Thank you to all the counties who are currently active with Food Link events, and we look forward to learning about those who are getting their events off the ground. Let’s share the good word about farming and ranching while being “Farm Bureau Proud!”

THE AG AGENDA

By Bob Stallman, President American Farm Bureau Federation -------------------------------------------

Time to Move Ag Trade Forward with TPA U.S. agriculture exported more than $152 billion in products last year alone, and there’s room for more growth yet.

With Trade Promotion Authority expected to take center stage on the legislative agenda this spring, farmers and ranchers are ready for trade agreements that create business and boost the American economy.

TPA legislation isn’t new, but now is prime time for renewal. It first passed in 1974 and has been critical to the success of important agreements for U.S. agriculture with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. We’re now ready to expand our markets even further with ambitious trade negotiations across the globe from Asia to Europe. But we need to stand firm and show other countries that we’re ready to act on final offers at the negotiating table. TPA creates an important partnership between the administration and Congress to move trade agreements forward.

The U.S. economy loses out when trade agreements are crushed in the final hour by deal-killing amendments.

We weaken our standing in the global marketplace, and hand economic leadership over to other countries. With TPA, the administration represents our best interests before other countries without flying solo in negotiations. Congress and the administration must continue to shape and set priorities based on what they’re hearing directly from American businesses.

This is where agriculture can continue to take a leading role in shaping our trade agenda. Farmers and ranchers know the challenges we face in other markets, and it’s our job to get this message to policymakers. When we’re all March 2015

on the same page in negotiations, the process moves swiftly as Congress can act on final agreements with a straight up or down vote.

Limiting access to American food just doesn’t make sense. Farmers and ranchers are ready to bring their goods to new markets, but high tariffs and nonscientific barriers place our exports at a disadvantage. Take the EU, for example.

Last year the U.S. exported $12.7 billion in agricultural products to the EU, but we also imported $18.7 billion in agricultural products from the EU. These numbers don’t mean we had less to sell: Our markets are simply more open while the EU continues to let politics rather than science dictate its trade restrictions.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, our trade with Japan is just a fraction of what it could be, largely because of price restrictions and high tariffs.

American businesses rely on trade agreements to break down barriers and create a more balanced marketplace for all. But we must come to negotiations with a clear agenda and the authority to back it up. The U.S. is on the verge of completing one of our most ambitious trade agendas in decades. TPA is essential to completing these agreements, including the Trans Pacific Partnership with 11 other countries across the Asia/ Pacific region and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the EU. TPA expired too long ago: Congress and the administration need to work together to renew it before valuable trade relationships are spoiled.

Mark your calendars and please plan to join us in Taos at the Sagebrush Inn for the NMF&LB Summer Meeting, July 23-25, 2015 March 2015

Fusion Conference A Success In an innovative approach to combining meetings, the American Farm Bureau Federation created the Fusion conference, bringing together Young Farmer and Rancher, Women’s Leadership, and Promotion & Education Committees from across the nation to network and share ideas. As you can see from the adjacent photo, NMF&LB sent over 40 attendees to this educational conference held in Nashville this past February. Titled “Farmers United: Skills, Inspiration, Outreach and Networking,” participants enjoyed several different “tracks” including those on Advocacy, Business, Collegiate, Education, Leadership, Rural Development and Technology.

Sessions focused on working with the media, how to influence local lawmakers, successful outreach to consumers through social media and blogs, and developing business and marketing plans.

Additionally there was the AFBF Collegiate Discussion Meet and congratulations to Klayton Bearup, NMSU Collegiate Farm Bureau member who progressed all the way to the final round. “He was a great representative of our Collegiate Farm Bureau. He also made history since this is the first time ever we’ve had someone make the Final Four for Collegiate,” said Joel Alderete, NMF&LB Regional Director and Collegiate/Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Staff Contact.

“This type of opportunity doesn’t just happen over night,” said Klayton, an Agriculture Education major from Silver City who will be student teaching in Roswell this fall. “People sacrificed hours of time and money to help support me in this and I would like to say how grateful and excited I am to have the support of New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, not only in this endeavor but for many years to come.”

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AgFest, a Celebration of Agriculture in New Mexico If empanadas and ice cream, tamales and beans, or lamb burritos and beef fajitas sounds like a great feast, you should make plans to join us for AgFest next year. All of those delicious New Mexico items and more were on the menu February 17th at AgFest in Santa Fe. More than 1,200 people attended the legislative outreach event highlighting our state’s agricultural products which featured booths from 39 organizations. “We host this annual event as an opportunity for our legislators to meet the state’s ag producers. It’s always successful in reminding our lawmakers about the importance of agriculture in New Mexico,” said Chad Smith, NMF&LB’s CEO. So mark your calendars and we’ll see you next year.

The Women’s Leadership Committee held the drawing for their fundraiser quilt at AgFest. The winning ticket was drawn by Belita Martinez and Ty Kinman. Anita Hand, WLC Chair, announced the winner as...Dennis and Margene Harris! Funds raised from the quilt enable WLC members to attend various leadership development events.

NMSU President Garrey Carruthers visits with State 4-H Secretary Makayla Richardson at the 4-H booth.

Members of the Young Farmer & Rancher Committee sold NMF&LB coats, as well as chances on their gun raffle. Pictured here are Traci and Jeoron van der Ploeg, representatives from Curry County FLB.

Betty Hemann of Lea County FLB visits with WLC District Representatives Mayra Jackson of Hidalgo County FLB and Melinda Jackson of Chaves County FLB. The Legislative Breakfast was attended by over 100 people.

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Representative Don Tripp, a jeweler and alfalfa farmer from Socorro spoke about the current legislative session and about being the first Republican Speaker of the House in 60 years.

“We must protect farmers from being deemed a nuisance by supporting right to farm legislation,” said Lt. Governor John Sanchez.

Shelly and Gary Hathorn talk politics with fellow Four Corners area resident, representative Paul Bandy.

Many legislators attended the event including Representatives Candy Spence Ezzell, and James R.J. Strickler, and Senators William P. Soules, Cliff Pirtle and John Arthur Smith.

NMFLBState Board Member Janet Jarrett and Howard Hutchinson Executive Director, Coalition of AZ/NM Counties, talk about water, or the lack thereof.

Blair and Beky Dunn catch up with Quentin and Kelly Romo. Blair is the son of State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn and the Romos were active in NMF&LB YF&R before they moved to Texas.

March 2015

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March 2015

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Spotlight on: Luna County Farm and Livestock Bureau

by Don Hartman

Luna County is located in the southwest corner of the state, surrounding the town of Deming, known for its pure water and fast ducks by most folks who visit from out of town. Those same people also come to Deming for a taste of fire roasted green chile grown by local producers. Luna County also produces Alfalfa, Cotton, Pumpkins, Watermelons, Grain Sorghum, and both Durham wheat for pasta and beardless Wheat for hay, Onions, Green chile, Jalapenos, Lettuce, Leafy greens, Pecans, as well as tasty Beef cattle and Milk.

Luna county Farm and Livestock Bureau has an outstanding membership growth rate, and has received the Top County Award the last 2 years in a row. We support our agents in return by providing them with banners and various other marketing tools to expand our membership. We have great attendance at our annual meetings from our members.

Our Board of Directors consists of: Don Hartman President, Bayne Anderson Vice President, Jack Blandford Treasurer, Teresa Johnson Secretary, David McSherry, Chip Speir, Sandy Hyatt, John Sweetser (State Board Member), and Cheryl Hartman (women’s), and Wes Hudson.

Our focal points are to support the local youth, we have given out scholarships last year to the amount of $6,000.00. We also support and donate to “Agtoberfest” which is a day during the county fair dedicated to informing school children and their parents where their food and fiber come from. We have encouraged the local county fair to have a “county bred steer class” by providing award premium incentives to the amount of $1000.00 for first place and $750.00 for second place as well as donating belt buckles. The “County Bred Steer class” has had so much positive response in the last few years that we are going to expand the premium money. We donate money to 4H in conjunction with Our Food link, which local 4H clubs purchase the food, then donate the food to the local healing house.

Our local board works hard to protect our way of life. We cooperate closely with other agencies and interest groups to protect the lives, and private property rights of all citizens in our community. We have worked extensively to support the removal of WSA’s and attended meetings on the local, state and national level to demand action for their removal. Our members have been involved with other agencies working on endangered species issues combating the reintroduction of these predators that endanger our families, livestock and pets. We support policy in the farm bill that will allow a producer to self-certify predation kills of livestock by protected species and be compensated for such losses. We also support a disaster assistance program that compensates a rancher for higher than normal death losses due to protected predators that cause herd reduction due to stress from harassment and higher than normal calf mortality, and lower than normal pregnancy percentage rates. We have members that have been involved with the Arizona water settlement and continue to work on ways to utilize this precious resource water in our 4 county area that is essential to not only production agriculture but all forms of life.

One of our main goals is to be more active in our schools. It has been difficult to have an ag in the class program in our school district due to the fact that educators don’t have the time to cover all the required material that they currently have.

We are communicating with our local school board and superintendent to try to influence them to make time to teach children about their food.

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March 2015

Here’s to bringing up the sun.

Here’s to muddy boots and grease-stained hands.

Here’s to caring for this great land.

Here’s to protecting what you live for.

We’re proud of our agricultural roots, and proud to be the insurance company so many families rely on to protect them from the unexpected. Here’s to protecting you and all you do.

www.fbfs.com FB09 (4-14)

March 2015 NM-Here'sTo...(4-14).indd

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Non-profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Las Cruces, N.M. Permit No.2093

P.O. Box 20004 Las Cruces, NM 88004-9004

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NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAU Since 1917 . . . a Leader in New Mexico

ISSN 0028-6192 2220 N. TELSHOR BLVD. • LAS CRUCES, NM 88011 575.532.4700 • FAX: 575.532.4710 PUBLISHER: New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau New Mexico Farm & Ranch is published monthly. Yearly subscription is $24.00.

New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau members receive a complimentary subscription with yearly dues.

U.S. Postage PAID, bulk rate, PERMIT #31, Las Cruces, NM 88001. FORWARDING/RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED, ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED. OFFICERS Michael White President, Dexter Craig Ogden 1st Vice President, Loving Larry Reagan 2nd Vice President, Ft. Sumner Farm & Ranch Page 8

Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bud Deerman, La Mesa John Diamond, Elephant Butte Jim Ellett, Hope Duane Frost, Claunch Anita Hand, Datil Leon Hemann, McDonald Brad Houston, Roswell George Jackson, Lordsburg Janet Jarratt, Los Lunas Deena Kinman, Elida Matt Lansford, Clovis Boe Lopez, Springer Danielle Lowry, Albuquerque Donald Martinez, El Rito Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas Troy Sauble, Maxwell Paula Sichler, San Antonio John Sweetser, Deming Jim Taylor, Albuquerque Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner

REGIONAL DIRECTORS Joel Alderete, Roswell Benjie Segovia, Las Cruces Zach Riley, Albuquerque Valerie Huerta, Santa Cruz Theresa Widner Director of Membership Services Carmen Macias Comptroller Dalene Hodnett Director of Communications and Media Relations Traci Curry Southern Director, Ag in the Classroom Cheryl Butterfield Northern Director, Ag in the Classroom Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee Danielle Lowry, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee March 2015