August 2017 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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

Summer Conference Wrap Up Farmington Ag Science Center New Mexico Ag Leadership Program Page 1

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

NMF&LB President’s Column TRACTOR SEAT DAYDREAMING

BY CRAIG OGDEN

Workman’s Compensation On July 4th, I was irrigating during the day and Joseph new members together in a celebration of NMF&LB’s 100was going to take the night shift. We were irrigating so our year anniversary. Here are some pictures from these events. employees could take off and spend time with their family.

Here is Tim This got me thinking about how we in agriculture often VanderMeer, make sacrifices with our own family for our employees FBFS Agency benefit which somehow brought me around to the issue of Manager, SouthWorkman’s Compensation. ern Region, and When the Workman’s Compensation Exemption was I cooking burgchallenged and we went to court, I felt like those of us in agers at the Grant riculture were being portrayed unfairly. Most us value our County FLB BBQ. employees and treat them as such. Whether it is paying a Below Tom bill for them out of our own pocket, for which we know we Wilton and Larry won’t be reimbursed, Reagan are bring“we have always tried to take care of our or doing their work so ing the beef at the De Baca County they can attend to peremployees because they are part of our family.”

FLB BBQ. sonal matters. It may not be a good business The Eddy County FLB BBQ decision, but it is the right thing to do. had a good turnout (below), I just wish the Workman’s Compensation Administration, as did the BBQ held at the as well as the courts would realize that overall, we have State Office in Las Cruces always tried to take care of our employees because they are where Dave Sell, FBFS Busipart of our family. ness Center Director, and Workman’s Compensation is still a hot topic and there is Chad Smith, CEO cooked. much work to still be done to address issues. From correct billing, possible exemptions, and rule making to rate changes and costs, are all being discussed and cussed. New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau has dedicated resources to help address the problematic workers compensation and we look forward to reporting good news in the near future.

Speaking of family, the Centennial BBQ’s being hosted by county farm bureaus across the state have brought old and Page 2

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS

BY ZIPPY DUVALL

Clock Ticking for Farmers on Tax Reform Farming doesn’t come with a steady paycheck or a guaranteed salary. Yet, America’s farmers and ranchers work hard every day to keep our nation’s food supply secure and affordable, all while bearing the brunt of the risks involved in our high-input, capital-intensive businesses.

A lot is at stake for farmers and ranchers, especially when it comes to tax reform. We need a tax code that gives us flexibility to keep our businesses running from one season to the next. We can’t predict the markets or the weather when we plan for a growing season, but the right tools can help us manage the risks we face through good times and bad. Our tax system should encourage entrepreneurship, not punish people for their success. Farm Bureau is calling on lawmakers to work together to revise our tax code in a way that treats all businesses fairly and boosts our local economies.

The clock is ticking for Congress and comprehensive tax reform. The seeds were planted and watered when several members of Congress introduced a Blueprint for Tax Reform a year ago this summer. Now the crop is ready for harvest. And if lawmakers don’t act this fall, tax reform could die on the vine. Your representatives and senators need to hear from you when they’re home this August. Now is the time to tell them what tax reform means for your family, your farm and your livelihood.

All farmers and ranchers deserve fair treatment under the tax code. Ninety-nine percent of farms are family owned

today, and more than 95 percent of farms and ranches are treated the same as individual taxpayers by the IRS. No matter its size, no farm should be shut out from the deductions and provisions that are designed to help businesses create jobs and boost the economy.

Lawmakers can’t change the markets and the weather, but they can enact policies to support and preserve agriculture.

As important as lower tax rates are, they shouldn’t come at the cost of other provisions agriculture depends on.

Farmers and ranchers can’t afford to lose deductions, credits and exemptions such as cash accounting, deductions for interest expense, stepped-up basis for capital gains, and likekind exchanges.

Tax code provisions like these allow farmers to manage their cash flow, control the timing of their expenses, replace equipment and secure business loans. Cutting out any of these provisions from the tax code will mean higher taxes for farmers and ranchers.

Farmers and ranchers aren’t asking for a pass on taxes.

We’re asking for lawmakers to write a fair and simple tax code that recognizes the unique needs of our businesses and the value of our work. We know the importance of being good stewards of all our resources, and we know our farm dollars yield a greater harvest for all of us when we’re free to invest in growing the food, fuel and fiber our nation needs to be secure.

“Lawmakers can’t change the markets and the weather, but they can enact policies to support and preserve agriculture.”

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

Farmington Ag Science Center

By Katelin Spradley, Communications Intern Located seven miles southwest of Farmington, the Farmington Agricultural Science Center has lent a major helping hand to producers in the Four Corners region since its founding in 1966. The Farmington ASC is one of 12 agricultural science and research centers located throughout New Mexico that comprise the Agricultural Experiment Station system founded

by New Mexico State University.

“Each center is established with a set mission,” said Dr. Kevin Lombard, the superintendent of the Farmington ASC and associate professor of horticulture, “We are established on the Navajo Nation. That makes us really unique. We are probably the most unique science center in North America because we are on the sovereign land of the Navajo people.”

Location isn’t the only thing that makes the Farmington ASC unique. Research at the center ranges from hops for local beer brewers to the use of gardens to combat diabetes. A large majority of the research conducted at the Farmington ASC focuses on growing a variety of different plants at a high elevation climate. “We have tried just about every crop you can think of. There’s fifty years of history here,” said Lombard.

Some of that history can still be seen around the Farmington ASC today, like the leftover licorice plants that were once grown in test plots for the Twizzlers plant located in Farmington from 1970 to 1999. The Farmington ASC has evolved over time, keeping true to their founding mission to meet the needs of producers within the San Juan water basin.

“We are trying to put some applied agricultural science to some basic questions. What will grow here, and disseminate that information to growers,” said Lombard.

Research conducted at the Farmington ASC is client driven, meaning that local producers can turn to the center to find answers to their problems. Finding the answers to these agricultural problems can turn into research projects for the ASC or they can direct producers to other researchers who may have an answer. After the Gold King Mine spill of toxic wastewater into the Animas River, the Farmington ASC started conducting research on soil quality and started looking for any possible negative consequences that might affect the livelihood of local producers.

“We don’t want to see the industry and the livelihood of people impacted by that so we are trying to get some science based data to people,” said Lombard.

The Farmington ASC uses social media, a website, events, peer reviewed articles and even an app to share their research with local producers and the state. One of the biggest ways that the ASC is able to share information with local producers is through simply talking to farmers, said Lombard.

A major service that the Farmington ASC provides to local producers is information about successful varieties of commonly grown crops like winter wheat, alfalfa and corn. This can be extremely useful to farmers as they shift from using more traditional varieties of crops to newer ones.

“I think we have made a tremendous contribution to the varieties used by farmers,” said Dr. Mick O’Neill, a professor of agronomy who has worked at the Farmington ASC for 18 years. The Farmington ASC has had the opportunity to partner closely with the Navajo Agricultural Products Industry in projects like the hybrid poplar tree research

“ASC” continued on page 10 Page 4

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

Summer C

a Time to

by Dalene Hodnett, Director of C Our Summer Conference held July 20-22 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya in Bernalillo was a fitting way to celebrate our Centennial. From great presenters, to interesting tours, to a fun evening of costumes and karaoke, our annual reunion was one to remember.

“Party of the Decades,” it was a hoot as everyone dressed up in their vintage clothing. Margene Harris in her flapper dress and Dennis in his zoot suit were a fun throw back to the 20’s while Teresa and Craig Ogden enjoyed reliving the peace-loving 60’s. “Distinguished Past, Dynamic Future” was a video produced in 1992 to commemorate NMF&LB’s 75th Anniversary. It was shown and featured many NMF&LB greats including John Augustine, Bill McIlhaney and a very young (!) Travis Harris. If you would like a dvd copy, contact the state office, they’re only $20 including shipping.

We’re producing a similar video for our 100 year anniversary to be shown during the award banquet at our upcoming Annual Meeting, so that’s something to look forward to!

Keeping it in the family was the theme of Jolene Brown’s session on Saturday of the Summer Conference. She had some real-life examples of what families can do to ensure that the family farm remains in the family. If you missed it you might want to look her up online, she has some great books for sale.

Our tours were equally interesting. Galloping Grace Youth Ranch was a terrific example of agricultural outreach to an urban audience. We were pleased to donate $1,000 to their efforts. The organic lavender farm at Los Poblanos was interesting and Keith Johnstone at Corrales Winery was a gracious host. Perhaps the most educational part of the tour was the behind the scenes look at NMDA’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. It was fascinating to see how samples are tested and diseases are detected. As farmers and ranchers who depend on herd health, we appreciate all these folks do for the ag community.

As you can see, it was a great meeting. Thank you to everyone who took the time to be there, we know this is a busy time of the year and we appreciate your dedication. Please mark your calendar for November 16-18 when we’ll meet in Las Cruces for our 100th Annual Meeting. We’ll enjoy presentations of the future of agriculture, a Centennial exhibit at the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, and a special awards banquet. Hope to see you there.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

Conference

to Remember

of Communications and Media Relations Tom and Allison Wilton, Deena and Wayne Kinman and Teresa Ogden, Danielle Lowry and Craig Ogden all had fun at the Party of the Decades.

Representing the 20’s was Gary Hathorn, Trenton and Helen White, and Margene and Dennis Harris. On tour at the Corrales Winery, Mike and Helen White, along with Charlie and Frieda Blassingame, had a nice conversation while Dennis Harris relaxed on the grass. Below is a group shot of everyone on tour at Los Poblanos Lavender Farm.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

Young Farmer and Rancher Update

By Tessa Ogden, District III Representative Ag Teacher Feed On June 14th, some of the YF&R committee members met with 75 Ag. Educators at the NM Ag. Teacher’s Conference in Silver City. We shared a cooperative fundraising opportunity where their students sell NM grown beans and red chile provided by YF&R. To give the Ag. teachers a taste of what’s to come, we served them frito pie using the beans and chile we would be offering. We want to thank New Mexico Ag educators for your time, and we look forward to working with you this year!

Ag Tour Ag Tour will be here before we know it! It will be held in Las Cruces this year on October 27-28. Tour locations will be revealed in next month’s newsletter, but go ahead and mark your calendar! The NMSU Ag. Day football game will also be held on that weekend, so we are looking forward to a weekend full of Agriculture, and to support our Aggies!

Interior Secretary Visits OMDP Monument

By Dalene Hodnett, NMF&LB Director of Communications With the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks Monument as a backdrop, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke expressed his admiration for public lands while voicing concern that the OMDP monument was designated without following the spirit of the Anitquities Act. He questioned if the monument was the “smallest area compatible for protection,” and mentioned that the mountain ranges in four different areas werenot completely on federal lands, often incorporating private land.

Zinke visited the area as a result of President Trump’s Executive Order requiring review of 27 recently designated monuments. During a press conference Zinke said that when it comes to ranchers, “Their cultural existence is under duress. With the number of cattle per acre, the inability to make sure they can make improvements on water systems and access roads, there’s a concern with traditional use.”

Carlos Salazar, a rancher from Rio Arriba County who attended the meeting with Zinke, expressed his concern with monuments calling them economy killers. “The rural folks depend on these lands to sustain our livelihoods. This is a massive land grab that hurts the locals.” Zinke’s report is due August 24th.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

“ASC” from pg 4 Dr. Kevin Lombard works with hops to gather knowledge for that Dr. O’Neill has been conducting since 2002. local brewers. Some varieties of hops grow naturally in the Hybrid poplar trees can be used for a variety of purpos- state leaving the door open for beer brewed with local hops. es like evaporative cooling pads, internal structure for furniture and biofuel. “We have demonstrated that the hybrid poplar really grows well here,” said Dr. O’Neill, “There’s a large opportunity for both live scale plantations for NAPI, to act as wind breaks, plus a source of wood products.”

Research projects conducted at the Farmington ASC not only provide information for local producers to use but provide great learning opportunities as well.

Students like Kwabena (Kobby) Sarpong, a graduate student from Ghana studying water science management at NMSU, get to work closely with researchers at the Farmington ASC and conduct their own research experiments. Kobby is currently researching the use of biochar as a soil amendment for hybrid poplar trees at the Farmington ASC. A lot of the research that the Farmington ASC conducts holds big possibilities for not only the local area but the United States and the world. The Farmington ASC collaborates with universities across the nation on many of their research projects and the center has had visitors from places like Israel. The unique arid climate of the Farmington ASC makes their research transferable to a vast majority of the rest of the world, said O’Neill.

New Mexico Ag Leadership Program and Me

By Valerie Huerta, NMF&LB Regional Director Vince Lombardi once said “Leaders are made; they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.”

There is a lot of truth to this quote. While I believe many of us are born with qualities that make us ambitious to lead, those qualities need to be shaped and developed. The New Mexico Ag Leadership Program has done just that for me. Leadership skills are like a tool that needs to be sharpened. The 18-month program provided me with the ability to sharpen my “leadership tools.” For me, the experience was life changing. Through the program I learned how to be a better leader by listening and communicating better and looking at things from all different sides. Many times in life, I found myself trying to think outside of the box. The NM Ag Leadership Program has helped me to see the box doesn’t always have to be square.

Leadership is a big part of the program, however; there was so much more I took away. The program is designed to incorporate seminars throughout the state. I learned about oil and gas, water, agriculture and other natural resources from several other leaders in NM. It also provided me a great opportunity to meet people from all over our great state. I was able to proudly represent NMF&LB and advocate for our great organization and agriculture. I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in this awesome program!

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 2017

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

August 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 12

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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 Matthew Gonzales, Cimarron 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

August 2017