September 2016 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®

2016 Ag True Tour Mexican Gray Wolf Resolution Being a Leader in your County Page 1

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

NMF&LB President’s Column IDEAS AND ELBOW GREASE

BY MICHAEL S. WHITE

Friend of Farm Bureau What is a friend of Farm Bureau? Well one of the main tasks of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau (NMF&LB) is to attempt to educate our national legislators on the issues we in agriculture face and try to convince them to draft and vote on legislation that will be beneficial to our endeavors. We also rely on them to reign in over-zealous bureaucrats in the administrative branch of the government that seem to continually impose burdensome and costly regulations and rules that hurt agricultural enterprises.

The “Friend of Farm Bureau Award” is presented to representatives and senators on the national level based upon voting records on AFBF’s priority issues established by the AFBF Board of Directors, the number of bills that a member has sponsored and co-sponsored, specific leadership roles a legislator takes for Farm Bureau on priority issues, and how accessible and responsive that lawmaker is to NMF&LB members. This award is granted by the NMF&LB at the end of each congressional session.

It is disheartening to me to say that out of our entire national delegation we only have one representative, Congressman Steve Pearce, who is eligible to receive the “Friend of Farm Bureau Award.” It is truly disappointing to see an industry that is the third largest income producing group in the state basically being ignored by our national congressional delegation. It is a disservice to our State, our industry and our citizens.

Wouldn’t it be nice if New Mexico’s lawmakers, at all

levels, understood issues from an agricultural perspective? What if they appreciated the regulatory burden faced by our state’s farmers and ranchers and tried to ease the bureaucratic red tape? Imagine if they knew the anxiety a ranching family feels upon seeing wolf tracks literally at the door? Unfortunately, we don’t currently enjoy this level of empathy from the majority of our legislators.

What can we do to resolve this problem? Educate. We need to reach out to our representatives at every level and help them understand the reality of food production in our state. Through letters to the editor, farm tours, social media posts and phone calls, our councilmen, congresswomen, and representatives need to hear from us.

That is a large reason why the Young Farmer and Rancher Program hosted their 2016 New Mexico Ag True Tour.

Like last year, this day long visit of various farms, ranches and agricultural sights helps policy leaders see, up close and personal, what it means to be reliant on agriculture as a livelihood.

This type of initiative will go a long way in cultivating a New Mexico candidate for the NMFLB “Friend of Farm Bureau” award. We need to remember that we are less than two (2) percent of the population as a group, and we do not carry enough votes to influence our legislators any longer.

And so as we approach the November elections keep in mind that if we can’t vote into office legislative representatives who come from an agricultural background, at least we can do all we can to try and educate those that we have.

“Educate. We need to reach out to our representatives at every level...”

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS

BY ZIPPY DUVALL

The Rural Vote Can’t be Overlooked in 2016 Country roads are an important part of the route to public office. There’s no such thing as “fly-over country” in an election year—and some lawmakers have learned this the hard way. Farmers and ranchers are fully engaged in the political process. They know their businesses and families have too much at stake to take a back seat during any election.

While rural areas have gotten smaller over recent decades, lawmakers can’t ignore that America’s farmland and the people who live there are at the heart of what built this country, and what nourishes it still today. Our nation is run by people who show up and make their voices heard. Our friends in Kansas recently reminded us of this in the primary race for their first district. Many of the district’s farmers and ranchers felt that Congressman Huelskamp had forgotten his neighbors and the people who sent him to Washington, especially when it came to his lack of support for the farm bill that provides a safety net for farmers when prices plummet and ensures we can continue to feed ourselves. The Kansas Farm Bureau took a firm stance by calling out Huelskamp and endorsing his primary opponent Roger Marshall, to ensure agriculture in the first district would once again have a voice on Capitol Hill. Voters then stood up on primary day and called for a different approach to politics. Maintaining a healthy agriculture and strong food security requires a willingness to reach across party lines to find solutions that work. Huelskamp’s rural constituents are sending him home after his

term ends this year. That’s what happens when a lawmaker becomes more beholden to groups in Washington than their own constituents.

Whether it’s the presidential ticket or a vote for a county board member, every farmer and rancher needs to be informed on where candidates stand and hold them accountable for their campaign trail promises. Our voices only stop counting when we fail to make them heard.

At the American Farm Bureau, we’ve been studying the candidates’ platforms to see where they stand on the issues facing agriculture.

One great resource our staff has been keeping up with since early in the primary season is our election blog (election16.fb.org). We encourage you to check it out for updates at the national level, and reach out to your states and counties for more information on local elections.

Our country needs leaders at every level of government who will listen to farmers and ranchers and work together to find practical solutions. We need to maintain a strong farm safety net. We need elected leaders who help expand markets for our agricultural exports through new free trade agreements that protect our interests abroad like the Trans-Pacific Partnership. From reforming our immigration and guest worker system to stamping out regulatory overreach, we need men and women in office who will roll up their sleeves and address these critical issues, even when the excitement of campaign season is long over.

“Whether it’s the presidential ticket or a vote

for a county board member, every farmer and rancher needs to be informed...”

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

Leadership Development in a Volunteer Organization Benjie Segovia, Regional Director What are the elements of leadership?

I read an article about leadership development this week. Just coming off a Farm Bureau seminar about this topic, this statement really caught my attention “Sometimes we choose to lead and sometimes we are pushed into leadership”. Our counties throughout the state are the strength of our organization. My thoughts are since this is such an important part of the organization how can we help the county boards work towards strong county organizations? Whether they chose to lead or were pushed into leadership.

When we lose interest in learning, we lose our edge in the world. We must always look for opportunities to learn. The same theory applies to organizations, opportunities to learn new information will keep the membership engaged. We work in Farm Bureau to educate ourselves about issues related to agriculture so we can keep our membership informed and affect the outcomes of the initiatives. We need to listen. There is a difference between passively listening and actively listening to what people are telling us. As a Farm Bureau leader it is our duty to connect with the membership and listen actively to maximize their contribution to the organization. This creates a higher performing organization while creating a connection to the organizations mission and vision. Listening also help leaders identify their member’s passion which reinforces the organization’s cause.

Organizations need to develop discipline. Discipline is the cornerstone of an effective organization. Create a meeting schedule and follow it. Farm Bureau leaders are very busy people. Make sure the schedule is set keeping every board member’s schedule in mind. Get their commitment in order to have a quorum. Creating a strong organization requires discipline. Successful leaders are usually very busy, with little free time in their schedule. It is important that they take time to sit and reflect. In the silence they are able to hear themselves think and feel. This helps develop their intuition, which guides them into making decisions.

Compassion is a very important attribute of a leader. We know that kindness trumps bad behavior. We need to consider others feelings and not create situations where an issue becomes a battle of wills. We must care about others feelings. In order to have a successful organization one person cannot do it all. Successful leaders understand when to be patient and when they cannot do everything themselves. Good leaders know when to delegate tasks and who they can trust to get the job done. This also fosters success in the people they lead.

Leaders work diligently to accomplish their goals within the structure of an organization no matter how long it takes. Their persistence is key. The refusal to give up is the difference between a good leader and someone who gives up too early. Leaders focus on the positive. They keep their eye on the end result. They know it’s important to maintain a positive outlook regardless of the current circumstances. Good leaders see problems as an opportunity to find a solution. They never blame others when goals are not accomplished. Leaders understand they are in command of their own thinking.

Leaders understand that failure is an opportunity to get closer to the stated objective. A good leader may fail several times before they succeed. The difference is that they view failure not as the end, but the chance to do it better next time. Their outlook is key. A good leader does not play the blame game. Blaming them is blaming yourself. There is no them, you are them. Leaders know that it is their actions in the world and their intentions that make them someone worth following. They are authentic in their approach to life which includes everything in their day to day living. Their principles are reflected in their actions.

Leaders want to share what they know. They are generous with sincere praise to others. People following in your footsteps need to hear when they are getting it right. Give praise specific to their actions. Too much praise is meaningless, too little is discouraging.

Be aware that everyone learns in different ways and at a different pace. Embrace different learning styles and work well with all types of learners. It’s important to help others through rough times. Motivate people by helping them through the learning process. Never dismiss a question as unimportant. Open communication is the foundation for success, keep your members informed of the organization’s progress.

People do not quit organizations, they quit the leadership. Volunteers are drawn to organizations that reflect the principles, values and vision that they align themselves with. They stay because of the leadership. It is key to develop our leadership skills to attract those key members in order to grow our county organizations. Time is an important factor when incorporating all the elements of a strong Farm Bureau leader, be patient. Practice and incorporate one principle of leadership each week. As time passes, you will be demonstrating the true qualities of great leadership and that leadership will transform into a stronger Farm Bureau county organization.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

A Field Trip to the Field Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communitions and Media Relations What do New Mexico legislators know about milk, wine and steak? If they participated in the Young Farmers and Ranchers Ag True Tour they know where it comes from, who grew it, and how additional regualtions, taxes and laws are affecting the future production of these food items. Members of the YF&R Leadership Program organized and coordinated the tour to make connections between law makers and food producers. “As Dwight D. Eisenhower said - ‘Farming looks mighty easy when your plow is a pencil and you’re a thousand miles from the corn field.,” said Danielle Lowry, YF&R Chair. “It is difficult to create legislation without first hand knowledge. The AgTrue tour provides opportunities for area law makers to get a hands-on experience of agriculture and meet our current and future generations involved in agriculture.”

Pictured are members of the YF&R Committee left to right. Joseph Ogden, Sean and his wife Katie Reagan, Jeff Mayberry, Matthew Harris, Andy Ellett, Haley Montes, Danielle Lowry and Jay Hill.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

The tour began at Mid-Frisian Dairy and Freanna Yoghurt where seventh generation dairy farmer Andle van der Ploeg (bottom row, left) and his son Jeroen explained how their dairy farm in the Netherlands gave rise to this dairy farm just outside of Clovis. Traci van der Ploeg then gave a presentation on Freanna Yoghurt and explained their markerting efforts which have placed the yoghurt in Whole Foods stores throughout the West.

During lunch, Denton Dowell (top row, left) with Aero Tech discussed aerial spraying of herbicides, pesticides and fire retardant. Many in the audience had questions for him about application rates and length of herbicide effectiveness.

Next we visited Davis Farms and Vinchante Vineyards operated by Kenneth and Jacquiline Davis (opposite page, top right corner). They grow sugar beets, pumpkins, hay, wheat and grain sorghum. They also have 3,000 grape plants under drip irrigation. Next up was Matthew and Jennifer Lansford’s farm and preconditioning operation. Matt (front cover) talked about the detriments of the recent Workers Comp ruling and Darin A. Childers, Director of the New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration ( pictured bottom row, middle) explained who qualified for the new rule.

Gavilon Grain was next in the line-up where we heard about formulating proper feed rations. McCollum Cattle Company rounded out the tour where Mark McCollum ( bottom row, right) talked about regualtions that have affected his feedlot.

Many legislators joined us including Representative Candy Ezzell (top row, right with Andy and Jim Ellett) , Rep. Dennis Roch (middle row, left with Zach Riley and Sue Strickler), Rep. James Strickler (middle row, middle shown with Jay Mitchell, Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security), Senator Peter Wirth, Rep. Randy Crowder and Rep. Tomas Salazar (middle row, right) and Senator Pat Woods (opposite page, top left corner with Brooke Finch, reporter from the Clovis News Journal). Thank you to everyone who participated in the tour.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

Mexican Gray Wolf Resolution

By Chad Smith, NMF&LB CEO

The Mexican Gray Wolf reintroduction program was created in 1991 and it is safe to say it has been a disaster for our state. Not only has it damaged the hunting, timber and tourism industries, it has devastated the ranching community in the affected area.

Now the recovery area is set to expand. We are asking our county farm and livestock bureaus to present the resolution below for passage at your county commission meetings. Some things you might want to include in your request are that the reintroduction has presented a human health and public safety hazard. Many reports have been filed of wolves harassing children while near their home. Additionally, since the wolves know no boundaries, they will eventually expand to a multitude of counties across the state.

In fact, there are plans to reintroduce wolves in Utah and Colorado so all counties in the state will eventually be affected. Fortunately, county governing boards have a great deal of power local government control is imperative when it comes to management of any species. In addition to the health and human safety there are newly released studies showing significant hybridization with coyotes and domestic k-9’s.

As you may know, the State of New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has sued the Department of the Interior and Farm Bureau fully supports their efforts. Our hope is to get enough county governments to pass this resolution ultimately resulting in additional pressure on our Governor and all of our Congressional Delegation to demand further investigation of the program as a whole prior to implementation and ensure that any and all management is done at the state and local level. While we strongly oppose the MGWRP we are only here simply asking for an in-depth investigation into the program and the species to ensure we are making decisions based on sound scientific data.

We would ask all counties to urge the passage of this resolution requesting a complete independent review of the MGWRP, that all depredation activities are under the state’s control and requesting congress to enact legislation to defer to the state and local government for management of the MGW.

Resolution on Mexican Gray Wolves

Whereas, ____________ County supports sound, scientifically-based state wildlife management rather than

federal land-use restrictions or federal listings under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”); Whereas, states and local governments have been involved in significant litigation with the U.S. Department of the Interior (“DOI”) with respect to the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program (“MGWRP”); Whereas, questions relative to hybridization with domesticated k-9 lineages have not been adequately addressed; Whereas, a number of recent studies show that heavy hybridization has occurred with coyotes Whereas, on June 10, 2016, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico enjoined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from introducing Mexican wolves in New Mexico without a permit from the New Mexico Game and Fish Commission; Whereas, on June the Office of the Inspector General for DOI issued a report to Congressman Steven Pearce on June 29, 2016 that raises significant questions about scientific integrity, transparency, personnel manage ment, public outreach and the public trust in regards to the MGWRP; Whereas, these issues justify further inquiry into the efficacy and operations of the MGWRP. Now Therefore be it Resolved, that __________ County:

•urges the State of New Mexico and the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to ensure the DOI Secretary implements a pause to the MGWRP unless and until a complete and independent review of the MGWRP is implemented; •urges the State of New Mexico and the New Mexico Congressional Delegation to ensure that depredation activi ties are transferred to the State of New Mexico or, should the State decline, to the U.S. Department of Agri culture; •urges the Congress to enact legislation deferring to the states on management of Mexican gray wolves and to support local, state and private conservation efforts without serious and adverse affects to private property rights, economic development and western communities.

Executed this ___ day of __________, 2016. ___________________ Page 8

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_____________________

New Mexico Farm & Ranch

______________________ September 2016

Willie Hernandez

Farm Credit of New Mexico has been farmer and rancher owned since 1916.

We’ve spent the past 100 years helping our fellow farmers and ranchers grow their businesses and provide for their families. We’ve strengthened our communities and our ties to the land over that time. We look forward to building on our mutual success in the century to come.

farmcreditnm.com 1-800-451-5997 Page 9

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

The following section features sponsors who contributed to our 2016 Summer Conference.

We appreciate your continued support of New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau!

THANK YOU

THE RANGE & PASTURE SPECIALISTS

Greg Alpers Range & Pasture Specialist 575.626.7438

gaalpers@dow.com

www.RangeandPasture.com Solutions for the Growing World

Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow

®

From the chile capitol of New Mexico, Luna County Farm and Livestock Bureau congratulates NMF&LB on a great Summer Conference.

We’re proud to call this grassroots organization

home.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

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Payroll Services Bookkeeping Tax Preparation

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575.528.6700

Monsanto is Proud to Support the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau Learn more at Discover.Monsanto.com

Monsanto and Vine Design® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2016 Monsanto Company.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

Depot Crop has been helping farmers & ranchers manage their crops and land for over 13 years. We have an amazing team that is ready to serve you and your needs with the best customer service and face to face attention available. Call to find out how we can provide you with strategic new ways that combine our years of experience with cutting edge technology that is designed to provide you maximum protection with the most efficient premiums possible.

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Lincoln County Farm & Livestock Bureau is proud to support the organization that supports New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

NEW MEXICO

RGANIC FARMING CONFERENCE

February 17 and 18, 2017 at the Marriot Pyramid in ALbuquerque, NM 36 Sessions, all aspects of organic farming and ranching production.

Find us on Facebook

or email us at: nmofc@mail.com

Thank You Socorro County Sponsors

The following family farms, ranches and individuals gave a combined donation of $1,000 to host the audio portion of our Summer Conference.

Socorro County Farm Bureau Snake Ranch Farm Stores ™ Richard T. Ritter, CPA Dennis and Margene Harris Dan and Carol Kloss T & M Cattle Travis and Matthew Harris Page 13

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

Calling All NMF&LB Families!

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Call Today - 1-888-665-7898 Page 14

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New Mexicowww.clearvaluehearing.com Farm & Ranch

We need your help! New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau will be celebrating 100 years starting in 2017. We are in need of both new and old NMF&LB photos and documents that represent our history. Do you have a photo of your family receiving the Farm Family of the Year award, or a copy of an Annual Meeting agenda? Perhaps you have a newspaper clipping of a summer meeting in your town, or a NMF&LB tie tack that your grandfather wore. We need a variety of things from a variety of years for publication in our Centennial book. To contribute, please send them to Dalene Hodnett, 2220 N. Telshor, Las Cruces, NM 88011, or scan them to daleneh@nmflb.org Thanks!

September 2016

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They have a way of changing everything, including your need for life insurance.

Find out how much coverage you may need at www.fbfs.com/LifeMoments

Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services LI164 (8-16)

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

September 2016

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

2220 N. Telshor Las Cruces, NM 88011

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bud Deerman, La Mesa Jim Ellett, Hope Duane Frost, Claunch Anita Hand, Datil Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista Leon Hemann, McDonald Jay Hill, Mesilla Park George Jackson, Lordsburg John Jackson, Lake Arthur 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 Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner

Larry Reagan 2nd Vice President, Ft. Sumner

Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee

Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer

Danielle Lowry, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

REGIONAL DIRECTORS Valerie Huerta, Santa Cruz Zach Riley, Albuquerque Benjie Segovia, Las Cruces Natalie DiMatteo Administrative Assistant Cheryl Butterfield Northern Director, Ag in the Classroom Traci Curry Southern Director, Ag in the Classroom Francisco Hatay Marketing Coordinator Dalene Hodnett Director of Communications and Media Relations Carmen Macias Comptroller Theresa Widner Director of Membership Services

September 2016