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

Ag in the Classroom Summer Workshops Aid for Grasssfire Victims NMF&LB Summer Conference Agenda Page 1

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

NMF&LB President’s Column TRACTOR SEAT DAYDREAMING

BY CRAIG OGDEN

NMF&LB Goes to D.C. Washington D.C., located along the Potomac River, bordering the states of Maryland and Virginia, has visitors coming from all parts of the world. They come to view the National Mall, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Institution, and the United States Capital –just to name a few. School buses line the National Mall as students wait to enter the various museums and attractions. Tourism is a major industry in Washington D.C. – however, we did not go with the intent of visiting the sites. We were there to visit with our congressional delegation, those who are elected to represent all New Mexicans, as well as the agencies that serve the law. New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau was on the Hill representing the interests of our members. NMF&LB hit the ground running, meeting with our regulating agencies. USDA, Agri-Marketing Services, APHIS, Veterinary Services, US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) –to name a few, were among our stops. Our conversation with USFWS was the most interesting one where we discussed the various endangered species problems we all know far too well, such as the Lesser Prairie Chicken. Many of these conversations centered around the anticipated listings as part of other settlements, further wolf-territory expansion, and bridging the gap in lack of communication with those living in and around the species of concern. That evening we had the opportunity to meet with Senator Tom Udall and his newest agriculture policy staff member where we discussed various issues including labor, the 2018 FAARM Bill and other important issues. The following day was spent with Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, Congressman Ben Ray Lujan, Senator Martin Heinrich, and Congressman Steve Pearce. Congresswoman Lujan Grisham was between meetings and met with us in

a service elevator closet. One thing is for sure, she will not forget about our meeting in the service closet. It was a challenge to stay positive during our visits. They listen to our concerns, have staff taking notes, are very cordial, but when we leave, their voting record says it all. We discussed many topics including the upcoming FAARM Bill, health care reform, endangered species, the Antiquities Act, FLPMA and inheritance taxes, everything we could cover in a short period –but do we make an impact. While their voting records show that some do not waiver from what they tell us, others just tell us what we want to hear. From a different perspective, it is dutiful to share our opinions, concerns and desires. The Governmental Affairs Office of the American Bar Association stated, “that according to the Congressional Management Foundation a visit from a constituent has a 99% chance of having some influence.” The report didn’t state whether the influence was positive or negative, but as an organization that represents its members, we must continue to voice concerns in hopes of influencing changes amongst our lawmakers. John Sweetser, Danielle Lowry, Tom Wilton, Deena Kinman, Larry Reagan, Chad Smith, Zach Riley and myself were the merry little band that set out to change the country, or at least New Mexico. With the feeling that nothing will likely change, we at least had our day and made our voices heard. If we keep using our constitutional rights they can’t be withdrawn, if apathy ever sets in that is when we as a nation need to be concerned. Be encouraged to visit with some of the people that went on this trip so that you too, may go on our next great adventure to the land of the influential. Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly.

“NMF&LB hit the ground running,

meeting with our regulating agencies.”

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS

BY ZIPPY DUVALL

Fair Trade Keeps American Farms Competitive Fair trade is critical to American farmers and ranchers and our nation’s economy. That’s why opening new markets—and maintaining the ones we have now—is a top priority at the American Farm Bureau. Agriculture is fueling our economy, as well as putting food on our tables. According to USDA, 11 percent of U.S. employment comes from the agriculture and food industry. That’s 21 million jobs, including about 18 million off-thefarm positions. International trade plays a big role in that economic success. More than 20 percent of U.S. crops are grown for export. With 95 percent of the world’s customers outside our borders, we’ve only begun to tap our export potential. The more customers we can reach, the more jobs agriculture can create. Farmers and ranchers need trade agreements that level the playing field for our products and remove barriers to fair trade. Although we supply the highest-quality food, fiber and fuel, our products often face a disadvantage in foreign markets with high tariffs and unnecessary, non-science based barriers to trade. We can and should address these challenges at the negotiating table. Unfortunately, there are times when not everyone leaves the table fully satisfied with the outcome. That’s part of the give and take: Trade talks can be tough to navigate, but it’s even tougher for our businesses to get a share in new international markets without the hard-won provisions of new trade agreements. It’s better for American farmers and businesses to have

a seat at the table than for other nations to make trade agreements without us. In all, U.S. agricultural exports to free-trade areas have increased more than 136 percent since 2003. Well-crafted treaties have given us a greater share of growing markets worldwide. The North American Free Trade Agreement is a particular success. Since NAFTA took effect, U.S. exports to Canada and Mexico have quadrupled. That’s why Farm Bureau is glad that President Trump and members of his ag and trade team have vowed to make NAFTA better through renegotiation, rather than scrapping it altogether. Of course, free trade agreements don’t just increase our exports. They also bring in more imports. But even with more farm goods coming in from abroad, agriculture continues to have a positive trade balance. Last year, we exported $16.6 billion more agricultural products than we took in, and we’re on track for an even higher surplus in 2017, forecast at $21.5 billion. However, there are sensitive areas that we can address through renegotiation. We look forward to working with the administration to address these issues and make trade agreements an even greater success for agriculture. Farmers and ranchers know they operate in a global economy, and they know that has its blessings and challenges. Global markets can be volatile and the bounty of one season may not be repeated in the next. Fair trade may not erase all those troubles, but it’s critical to keeping our farms and our nation’s economy competitive and thriving.

“Farmers and ranchers need trade

agreements that level the playing field...”

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

Reflections on the Grass fires of West Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas By Melinda Jackson, Chaves County FLB AGvocate Social media, especially Facebook, put the March devastating wildfires out there for all of us to see. It has happened before, but on our Ipads and Smart phones, the images of over 1.5 million acres of scorched prairie, thousands of miles of burned fence lines, and an estimated 12,000-15,000 cattle plus 2,000 swine lost were up close and personal in our homes. We wanted to help; we could help, so NM ranchers, farmers, and citizens got busy. These are only a few examples of how New Mexico agriculturists and residents participated. Andy Ellett, Vice President of Young Farmers and Ranchers, organized a work day to build H braces. Eddy and Otero County YF&R members with local residents built over 80 braces. Area businesses such as Roswell Livestock and Farm Supply donated gates, wire and Tposts. Jim Ellett and Andy then took a trailer loaded with these supplies to Oklahoma. DeBaca County pulled together and sent 5 loads of hay to LaVerne, Oklahoma plus donations for fencing supplies. Chaves County sent $2500 to Canadian, Texas for t-posts and wire to be used in the West Texas burn area. JO Bar Quarter Horses in Animas, NM donated a weanling filly which was auctioned off on Facebook. The filly was a blue roan Doc Olena/Docs Remedy horse raised by Bobby and Erica Valdez and Amanda Mayfield. The 12 hour auction was on March 8 and interested parties placed their bids on the JO Bar Quarter Horse page. The high bid of $1600 was from Matt and Jessica Barker of Andrews, Texas. New Mexico Cowbelles raised $1300, an Artesia bootmaker raffled a handmade pair of boots, Double D Feeds gave fencing supplies, and loads of hay from NM farmers were sent into the stricken areas. Again, this is only a sampling of the generosity of our friends and neighbors. Some unsettling comments also surfaced. A few years ago, before social media was prevalent, similar fires happened in New Mexico. There was no outside help, and This AQHA filly, Jo Lady Cat, was donated by JO Bar Quarter Horses. our fellow ranchers and farmers were left to their own resources. Some are no longer in business because the financial and emotional strain was too great. Another comment was that “surely, insurance would take care of the losses”, demonstrating that the outside urban culture does not understand the razor thin margins that agriculture works under and the misconception that insurance can effectively replace livelihoods lost. Being a good steward is helping others when it is needed, but also asking for and receiving support from others in those disasters that we all face. Fires, blizzards, tornadoes, floods and accidents happen fairly frequently. Sometimes we neglect those closest to us. A visit, a helping hand, and just acknowledgement can make us better neighbors. Page 4

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

2017 Summer Conference Ag-Tour By Benjie Segovia, NMF&LB Regional Director As an NMFLB staff person, we are encouraged to contribute written articles to our NMFLB Newsletter. Usually we write about issues affecting agriculture production in our region. Issues such as the Endangered Species Act, Water, Private Property Rights and Land Use. Another Regional Director responsibility is to monitor local county Farm Bureau organizational growth and development. One would think of growth as more members, which is true, but growth can also be found in increased knowledge of agriculture in other environments such as an urban environment. To try to encourage increased membership attendance at the 2017 NMFLB Summer Conference, we have coordinated Ag-business tours in the Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Village of Corrales area. The challenge of finding new and interesting “Urban Agriculture Operations” within these confines was a difficult one. We coordinated with several agriculture entities to meet this challenge and the following are the results. Here is the tentative Ag-tour agenda 8:00 Load Buses and travel to Los Poblanos Farm 8:30 Arrive and tour Los Poblanos Farm (The Lavender Farm) 9:30 Load buses, travel to Galloping Grace Youth Ranch 10:00 Arrive and Tour Galloping Grace Youth Ranch 11:00 Load buses and travel to La Montañita Food Distribution Center 11:30 - Arrive and tour La Montañita

12:30 1:00 2:30 3:00 4:30 5:00

Grab a Box Lunch and Refreshment, Load Buses, travel to New Mexico Veterinary Diagnostics Lab Arrive and tour Veterinary Diagnostics Lab Load Buses and travel to Pasando Tiempo Winery Arrive and Tour Pasando Tiempo Winery Load Buses and return to Tamaya Resort Arrive at Tamaya Resort

NMFLB staff works hard to organize an informative Summer Conference Program for you, NMFLB members. We look for ways to motivate members to become engaged, involved and supportive of their Farm Bureau organizations at the county, state and national levels. We invite you to register and attend all of the conference and hope you find the program entertaining, educational and insightful. Thank you!

NMF&LB Welcomes Communications Intern New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau is pleased to welcome Katelin Spradley as a summer intern in the Communications Department. Katelin is a fifth-generation rancher from northwest New Mexico. She is currently a sophomore at Oklahoma State University majoring in agricultural communications and animal science. At OSU she is involved in the Collegiate Cattlewomen, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and serves as a career liaison for the College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources. After graduating, Katelin plans on pursuing a career as an agricultural journalist. “Katelin is a wonderful addition and we’ll rely heavily on her excellent writing skills and her extensive background in agriculture,” said Chad Smith, NMF&LB CEO. Page 6

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau 2017 Summer Conference, July 20-22 Hyatt Regency Tamaya Thursday, July 20th 1:00 pm Welcome

1:15 pm Viewing of “Distinguished Past - Dynamic Future” a video produced in 1992 celebrating NMF&LB’s 75th Anniversary. Features many organizational giants such as John Augustine and Bill McIlhaney 2:00 pm “How Food Connects Consumers and Producers,” Cristen Clark, FoodandSwine.com blogger 3:00 pm Break 3:30 pm “From Research to Real Profits” How Extension Scientists are Benefiting your Business 6:00 pm “Party of the Decades,” Join us as we reminisce

through 5 colorful decades of NMF&LB history including the roaring 20’s and the peace loving 60’s.

Friday, July 21st

7:00 am Tour of Urban Agriculture to include: Los Poblanos NMDA Veterinary Diagnostic Lab Pasando Tiempo Winery La Montañita Co-op Galloping Grace Youth Ranch 5:00 pm BBQ Dinner, Bring your family and enjoy good food and good friends as we play games and create memories.

Saturday, July 22nd

7:00 am Breakfast for all, sponsored by the WLP

7:30 am “Who’s Hiding the Humor?” Jolene Brown 8:30 am “Bites, Sting and Venomous Things,” Dangerous animals and treatment of injuries, Anita Hand, EMT and Dr. Sam Smallidge, NMSU RITF 9:30 -11:00 am “The Top Ten Mistakes That Break Up a Family Business,” Jolene Brown 11:00 am Conclusion and invitation to Annual Meeting 11:15 - 12:30 pm Beef Quality Assurance Certification, Dr. Marcy Ward, NMSU Extension Livestock Specialist 12:30 - 1:30 pm County President’s Luncheon, by invite only

The Host Hotel is the Hyatt Regency Tamaya. Rooms will be available starting at the discounted rate of $119 until June 21st. For reservations either visit https://aws.passkey.com/e/16324812 or call 888-421-1442 and mention New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau.

NMF&LB 2017 Summer Conference Registration Form

Name:______________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ Email address:_______________________________________________________________ County:____________________________________Phone:___________________________ #___Early Registration $150 after July 1 - $200 (One person - all inclusive) #___Child Registration $50 after July 1- $65 (age 6-15, under 6 are free)

#___High School/ Collegiate Farm Bureau Member $100 (CFB membership must be current) after July 1 - $125 #___Additional Evening Dinner tickets $50 (tickets are limited)

Total Due:_______________Check #:_____________

or Bill County:______________________________

Mail to: NMF&LB 2220 N. Telshor Las Cruces, NM 88011

Questions? Call Theresa Widner at 575-532-4703 or 575-312-6197 theresaw@nmflb.org

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

BE SET IN YOUR WAYS OR SET ON IMPROVING THEM.

There’s no escaping change. Especially when you’re trying to keep pace with a growing nation. So when the time comes to buy new equipment, purchase land, a rural home or expand your operation, Ag New Mexico Farm Credit will be there. We give rural New Mexico access to the financial support it needs to never stop growing. AgNewMexico.com

800.357.3545 | Belen • Clovis • Las Cruces

ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. A reliable business partner is difficult to come by. Contact Radale Tiner to locate Angus genetics, select marketing options tailored to your needs, and to access Association programs and services. Put the business breed to work for you.

Radale Tiner,

Regional Manager New Mexico Texas 3707 Marielene College Station, TX 77845 979.492.2663 rtiner@angus.org

To subscribe to the Angus Journal, call 816.383.5200. Watch The Angus Report on

3201 Frederick Ave. | St. Joseph, MO 64506 816.383.5100 | www.ANGUS.org

RFD-TV Monday mornings at 7:30 CST.

I N S U R A N C E AUTO

S E R V I C E S

HOME

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BUSINESS

N E W

M E X I C O

H E A LT H

Need a new rope or two? Perhaps a new saddle? Come on by, we’d love to see you!

LIFE

Clovis Vet Supply www.clovisvetsupply.com

Store Hours: 8 am - 5:30 pm Monday–Friday 8 am - 12 pm Saturday

2108 W. 7th St. Clovis, NM 88101

• Largest group of wool buyers in the U.S.A.

Agriculture Knowledge * Experience * Professionalism “We Are The Difference”

• Competitive bidding • Producer, owner and operator

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Like us on Facebook

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1-800-624-WOOL (9665) www.roswellwool.com Breeders of Registered Angus Cattle Since 1962

Lawyers. When Results Matter. Dal Moellenberg, Shareholder dlm@gknet.com | 505-989-7278

T.J. Trujillo, Shareholder

ajt@gknet.com

| 505-989-7260

1239 Paseo de Peralta | Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-2758 | P: 505-982-9523 | www.gknet.com

is available for purchase at the City of Santa Fe’s Wastewater Plant.

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27951 S. U.S. Hwy 87 • Canyon, Texas 79015 Website: www.halesangus.com Rick Hales E-mail: halesangus@gmail.com 806-655-3815 Home 806-679-9303 Mobile

Richmond Hales 806-488-2471 Home 806-679-1919 Mobile

Annual Bull & Female Sale March 18th

FIBERGLASS

The City of Santa Fe currently composts local wood wastes, bio-solids and stable horse bedding at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The final product is a high grade soil amendment.

73 Paseo Real • Weekdays 8 am - 2:30 pm Check availability: 955-4650 or www.santafenm.gov/compost

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HALES ANGUS FARMS

New Mexico Farm & Ranch

AGRICULTURAL PETROLEUM ENVIRONMENTAL CUSTOM

TANKS

Maintenance, Rust & Worry Free...

WWW.UFITANKS.COM

Feed & Fertilizer Tanks

800.487.4834

Livestock & Wildlife Tanks Fresh & Potable Water Tanks

Tanks approved for NRCS Cost Share Program

June/July 2017

Discover the Power Beneath Your Plants

Our Mesa Verde New Mexico Humates will: • Improve soil health and nitrogen utilization • Improve moisture management • Increase nutrient uptake and increase yield • Stimulate microbial activity • Increase stress resistance

www.Humates.com For your local dealer please contact us at 505-362-4205 Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Naturally

www.admlabs.com CLIFF WAIDE

Lic. # 387830

Owner

YOUR ZIMMATIC FULL SERVICE DEALER

6436 Old Dexter Hwy. | Dexter, NM 88230 Fax: (575) 624-2373

Office: (575) 622-4416 Email: cwaide@dfn.com

Since 2002, the New Mexico Land Conservancy, a non-profit land trust, has conserved over 160,000 acres of working farms and ranches, significant wildlife habitat, and scenic open space. If you would like more information or would like to discuss land conservation options for your land, please call the NMLC office at (505) 986-3801 To learn more about conservation easements and the associated tax and financial benefits go to www.nmlandconservancy.org New Mexico Land Conservancy, P.O. Box 6759, Santa Fe, NM 87502

KEN SCHWARTZ Branch Manager 811 Rankin Rd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 Phone 505-345-7847 | Fax 505-344-9703 Toll Free 800-841-0480 | Cell 505-710-5467 Schwartz@Neumarkirrigation.com

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

DOMENICI LAW FIRM, P.C. ATTORNEYS AT LAW

www.domenicilaw.com 320 Gold Avenue SW Suite 1000 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102-3228 Tel (505) 883-6250 Fax (505) 884-3424

June/July 2017

When we say we’re invested in animal nutrition, we mean that quite literally. Over 70% of our employees are also owners of Hi-Pro.

Call 1-800-447-7620 or visit www.HiProFeeds.com

Organic Agriculture Supplies Since 1980

FARM SUPPLY ORGANICS

Organic Fertilizer Bio-rational Pest Control Organic Cover Crop Seed Biological Inoculants Drip Irrigation Supplies

For better growing …from the ground up! Based in Sebastopol, CA Online at: www.harmonyfarm.com or call 1-707-823-9125 BAR M REAL ESTATE Bar M Real Estate providing professional brokerage and appraisal services specializing in farm and ranch properties. We Live The Life. www.ranchesnm.com SCOTT MCNALLY P.O. Box 428 Qualifying Broker Roswell, NM 88202

Farm & Ranch Sales & Appraisals

DE for all your Agricultural Needs OMRI LISTED PRODUCTS

Fossil Shell Flour: Food Grade DE Organic animal feed additive Humi-Grow Soil Amendment: to increase crop yield Crawling Insect Control Insecticide: Organic pest control Grain and Seed Storage Insecticide: Organic storage __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Formulated Insecticides

Garden and Plant Insecticide D-20, Fire Ant Insecticide D-20 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Visit us at: www.perma-guard.com or

Contact Patricia Byrne: patricia.byrne@att.net or 928-380-4801

STORAGE PROBLEMS?

We Have The Perfect Solution... STORAGE CONTAINERS

8’x20’ • 8’x40’

Bus/Res: (575) 622-5867 Fax: (575) 622-5867 Mobile: (575) 420-1237

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EASTVIEW IRRIGATION 425 SALT MISSION TRAIL P.O. BOX 531 ESTANCIA, NM 87016 (505) 384-2966 FAX (505) 384-1139

• • • •

CENTRAL NM ZIMMATIC CENTER PIVOT AND LATERAL DEALER

Grain + Feed Storage Secure Track Rooms Instant Barns Virtually Critter Free

1-800-748-3377

Delivery to NM, TX, AZ, CO

www.maloystorage.com

O’NEILL LAND, LLC. North East NM Front Range and Ranch Land and Homes

P.O. Box 145 Cimarron, NM 87714 e-mail: land@swranches.com www.swranches.com

Phone: (575) 376-2341 Cell: (575) 447-2340 Fax: (575) 376-2347 Timothy John O’Neill

Broker

Michael Niendorf

PO BOX 10435 Albuquerque, NM 87184 Cell: 505.227.7318 riograndescales@yahoo.com Over 20 Years Experience Specialized in Mechanical Scales Servicing All Makes & Models Mechanical & Electronic

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

CIRCLE

FEED STORE

Wally Menuey 2907 S. Canal • Carlsbad, NM 88220 Phone (575) 885-8369 • Fax (575) 628-0261 Toll Free 1-800-386-1235

June/July 2017

Farm Credit of New Mexico has been farmer and rancher owned since 1916. We’ve provided loans, insurance and other financial tools to help generations of New Mexicans succeed. And in turn, we’ve returned $87.2 million in profits to our members since 2005, including more than $9.4 million in 2016 alone. Call 1-800-451-5997 or visit www.FarmCreditNM.com

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

Conserving the Future of New Mexico Agriculture By Katelin Spradley, Communications Intern

Soil and Water Conservation Districts across New Mexico hosted their biennial supervisor elections May 2, 2017. The elections represent a chance for agricultural producers to get involved in their local conservation districts, which may prove to be important now more than ever. “What we’ll see is we are going to be taking care of more urban agriculture,” said John Arrington, the vice president of the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts and chairman of the San Juan SWCD. “More particularly people wanting to move out into the country or people taking over farms, so we will see a big change in the way we used to do business.” Agriculture and the SWCDs within New Mexico have gone hand-in-hand for more than 75 years since the passage of the Soil Conservation District Act in 1938. Today, there are 48 SWCDs around the state of New Mexico who work with landowners to help conserve and improve New Mexico’s natural resources. The SWCDs work closely with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to help local landowners actually implement tailored conservation plans that include practices like invasive species removal and wildlife escape ramps in water troughs. “Because the Soil and Water Conservation Districts are so effective at getting projects on the ground quickly that has helped us, over 12 years, to treat 3.3 million acres and return it back to grassland,” said Debbie Hughes, executive director for the NMACD. Since their creation, SWCDs have been working to effectively focus available educational, technical and financial resources to help local landowners. Over the past three years, between NRCS, the NMACD, and the SWCDs themselves, around $70 to $80 million has been brought to New Mexico to help landowners with conservation on their land, said Hughes. Like many agricultural producers from across New Mexico, Bud and Skeeter Schmitz from Regina have found their local SWCD to be a big help in the conservation of their land. “They definitely helped us to improve on our place. We could never had the quality of place that we have or the quantity of what we have if we wouldn’t have gone through some of their programs,” said Skeeter Schmitz. With the assistance of the NRCS and the Cuba SWCD, Bud and Skeeter Schmitz have done everything from fence work, to building dirt ponds, to monitoring native grass production and have seen results. “I can see a huge difference looking at our place and looking at other places that don’t participate in these programs,” said Schmitz. Similar to other SWCDs around the state, the Cuba SWCD uses a mill levy to help fund their operations. A mill levy is a tax of up to .1 percent that is included in a landowner’s property taxes and goes straight to the local SWCD. It is her right as a taxpaying citizen to participate in the programs that the SWCD offers, said Schmitz. As with other local or state government positions, most SWCD supervisors are elected by the registered voters within the district. Unlike other government positions, supervisor positions for SWCDs are completely voluntary and most elections go uncontested or positions go unfilled, which leaves SWCDs looking for volunteers, said Arrington. Of the seven supervisor positions available on a SWCD board, only four require that the candidates be landowners. The fifth elected position does not require the candidate to be a landowner and the other two positions are filled through selections by the Soil and Water Conservation Commission. “In most cases, they wanted agriculture oriented landowners but that’s changing. Now what’s changing is they realize there are urban agriculture people so we are seeing a change that one supervisor doesn’t have to be a landowner,” said Arrington. With farmers and ranchers making up 45 percent of the land stewards in New Mexico, according to the NMACD website, the involvement of agricultural producers within their local SWCD is crucial. “Probably the most important aspect of being involved is to be aware of what’s happening out there at the state and national level,” said Arrington, “Unless you get involved in the district you don’t know what’s happening.” Page 12

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

Can We Lease Your Land for Our Solar Farms?

Transmission Type Power Lines on Your Land? Lease to Us Today!

Large Power Lines on Your Property? Lease Us Your Land!

We Will Pay Up to $1,250 per Acre per Year 20 to 40 Yr. Lease We Require Large Tracts of Land currently clear clean land (Over 150 Acres) w/ 3Phase Transmission Type Power Lines on the land for Our Solar Farms Land Cannot be in Flood Zone or Have Wetlands Issues – Owner Must Retain Mineral Rights both above and below surface or have Executive Rights No underground utilities including oil and gas lines within the proposed solar site

Long Term Land Leases Needed-(20 – 40 Years Up to $1,250 per Acre per Year)

CALL (828)-817-5400 or (828)-817-9101 Email Us at

InnovativeSolarFarms@gmail.com

Visit our website at www.InnovativeSolarFarms.com Page 13

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

GROW

WITH

Summer Regional Educator Workshops

We Are Here To Help You Get Growing! Let us help you: • GROW your network of local experts to assist in your school garden/ growing projects • GROW access to hundreds of free standards aligned lessons, hands-on activities, and great companion resources to bring learning to life • GROW an understanding of NM agriculture & why it is important • GROW students’ interest and engagement by making learning relevant with real world connections

ipsum todolor met set GROW access grants, • lorem quam parum award nunc scholarships opportunities

• GROW environmental awareness Workshops will be from 8:30-3:30 & are limited to 25 participants. Registration will be on a first come first served basis. There is a $25 registration fee that is non-refundable. Each participant will receive over $75 in curriculum resources, a teacher tote, goodies and lunch. The Las Vegas and Silver City workshops will also include information on hydroponics. For More Information Please Contact: Cheryl Butterfield agclass1@nmflb.org or Traci Curry agclass@nmflb.org

nmaitc.org (Under Happenings/ Teacher Workshops)

Save the Date! Seating is limited so register today! Farmington: Friday, July 14th, McGee Park

Carlsbad: Tuesday, July 18th, Desert Willow Elementary

Bernalillo: Thursday, July 20th, Tamaya Resort with APS School Gardens Program & Bernalillo County Extension

Las Vegas: Tuesday, July 25th, Charlie’s Spic & Span

Silver City: Friday, July 28th, Western New Mexico University

Sponsors: Page 14

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Host County Farm & Livestock Bureaus: Bernalillo, Eddy, Grant,San Juan, and Mora/San Miguel

June/July 2017

TRIP AND

SOC

BIT

Even your insurance coverage may need a little extra shelter. What if you’re sued for slander due to a social media post? Or you’re in a car accident that injures others, and they sue you for medical bills that exceed your vehicle liability limits? Schedule a SuperCheck® with your Farm Bureau agent to discuss how umbrella coverage can help protect your world.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

June/July 2017

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 Craig Ogden President, Loving Larry Reagan 1st Vice President, Ft. Sumner Boe Lopez 2nd Vice President, Springer Mike White Past President, Dexter Page 16

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Burl Brown, Des Moines 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 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 Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee Danielle Lowry, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee

REGIONAL DIRECTORS Tanner Anderson, Portales Valerie Huerta, Santa Cruz Benjie Segovia, Las Cruces 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 Cecilia Diaz Johnson Bookkeeper Theresa Widner Director of Membership Services

June/July 2017