THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NEW MEXICO FARM AND LIVESTOCK BUREAU®
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
Farm to Fork Fundraiser a Success
Ditch Cleaning - a Family Tradition
Agri-Future Educational Institute May 2018
NMF&LB President’s Column TRACTOR SEAT DAYDREAMING
BY CRAIG OGDEN
The College of ACES - Ag’s Home at NMSU Recently, the New Mexico State University College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences hosted an open house. It was a great opportunity for the community to check out the various programs in the college including the Arthropod Museum in Skeen Hall, the Wildlife Museum in Knox Hall, and the PAWS Companion Animal Program offered by the Animal and Range Science Department. Visitors were able to connect with the college and learn about the research and outreach that is conducted by its eight departments. It’s easy to forget the scope of a college that includes the departments of: Plant and Environmental Sciences, Fishery, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management, Family and Consumer Sciences, Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, Animal and Range Sciences, Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business and the Agricultural and Extension Education. Additionally, the college houses the Cooperative Extension Service which consists of these program areas: Economic Development for NM Communities, Energy & Water, Farm & Ranch, Health & Family Well-Being, Natural Resources, Yard & Garden, and 4-H, Youth Development & Education. Whew! That’s a lot of ground to cover, I may have to send Dr. Flores an advertisement bill. There’s also 12 Agricultural Experiment stations scattered throughout the state in Artesia, Los Lunas, Alcalde, Clovis, Tucumcari, Farmington, Clayton and Corona, and stations such as the John T.
Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora, the Leyendecker Plant Science Center and Fabian Garcia Research Center in Las Cruces, and the Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center. The vastness and diversity of the College of ACES ensures that its research or programs touch nearly everyone in the state whether it’s through afterschool 4-H programs, nutrition classes, crop research or rural economic development. The College of ACES was my stomping ground many years ago and I had many good memories there. I was pleased to see that the open house was well attended. After the open house, New Mexico Ag in the Classroom hosted their Farm to Fork fundraiser dinner in conjunction with the HRTM department. All the food was local and generously donated, a huge thank you goes out to them. The HRTM students cooked and served the dinner and Traci and Brenda, our NMAITC coordinators, organized the live auction as well as serving. The sold-out dinner was a success! The food for the five-course dinner was delicious. NMAITC earned funds to further ag awareness and HRTM’s proceeds went to future scholarships. Thank you to everyone who donated their time and items, and thanks to those who attended the dinner, without your support it would be difficult to run such an excellent program. If you are interested on being on the board that supports Ag in the Classroom just give us a call.
“NMAITC earned funds to further ag awareness...”
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly. May 2018
AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS
BY ZIPPY DUVALL
Time to End the Tariffs Race Tourists from all over the world are visiting our nation’s capital to see a symbol of international friendship and cooperation. The cherry blossom trees, a gift from Japan to the United States in 1912, are in bloom. While visiting Washington, D.C., some of those tourists might also make their way to the National Zoo, home of two giant pandas currently on loan from the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The panda exhibit began back in 1972 when the Chinese government gave two pandas to the U.S. following President Nixon’s visit to China. Against this backdrop of good international relations, however, a conflict is escalating between the U.S. and China. China has engaged in unfair trade practices for years, and now the U.S. is reacting with tariffs intended to bring China to the negotiating table. Instead of negotiating to stop the tariffs and agree to fairer trade terms, China has responded by escalating the situation with higher tariffs on U.S. goods, with agricultural products in the crosshairs. No matter who started it, it’s time to stop it. U.S. – China trade is too important, to both countries, to let this fight continue and escalate further. As important as our $21 billion in agricultural exports to China are to farmers’ and ranchers’ livelihoods, the broader U.S. market for everything from clothing and computers to televisions and toys is much more important to China. China’s exports to the U.S. exceeded $500 billion in 2017. China has a lot to lose in this battle. That’s why just this week Chinese President Xi Jinping said in a speech that
China would work to widen market access. That promise is a step in the right direction. It means there is hope we can avoid additional tariffs on our ag exports. This is a dangerous game we are playing, with U.S. agriculture at risk of being the loser. At risk is $12 billion a year in soybean exports, half a billion dollars a year in pork and cotton exports, millions in fruit and nut exports, and more. All of this comes at a time when farm income is at a 16-year low. Farmers are patriotic, but they cannot hold on for long without their markets. Let’s hope and pray that international goodwill is as alive today as it was when the first pandas arrived and the first cherry blossom trees were planted. It’s time to negotiate and stop this tariffs race.
“This is a dangerous game we are playing, with U.S. agriculture at risk...”
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
May 2018
Preserving a Precious Tradition By Valerie Huerta, NMF&LB Director of Organization It is often said in New Mexico, la agua es la vida, water is life! I grew up hearing this saying many times as my grandparents taught me the value of water. My great grandfather would be up at 2 in the morning watering because that was when he had the water, and my grandmother (his daughter) was always ready to take any leftover water on a moment’s notice. This time of year brings new life and reminds us again of the importance of water. Flowers and trees are blooming, cows are calving and the water in the ditches begins to flow through acres of farmland, orchards, pastures and small kitchen gardens cultivated by many generations over hundreds of years. Before people start watering, there is much work that needs to be done. Cleaning debris and repairing ditches (acequias) from the winter months is a necessity before any water is released. As water rights owners (parciantes) on a community ditch system, we are responsible for sending someone to help clean ditches or pay to have them cleaned. In Chimayo, my grandma has water rights to two ditches and the obligation to have someone clean on her behalf for both of them. Every spring, ditch members (traditionally, mostly men) gather with pitchforks, shovels and rakes for the annual cleaning of the ditches. They pack a lunch and gather early in the morning, waiting for instructions on which part of the acequia they will be cleaning. They form an assembly line, and as they complete their section, they are moved to the front of the line to clean another part of the ditch. It is hard physical labor and fast-paced, leaving little time or opportunity to view their progress. Eventually, the rotating groups reach the end of the main ditch, and private landowners assume responsibility for the ditches on their property. In the not-so-old days, children would go with their parents to help with the cleaning. It was a time to work together, and also to learn the history of the ditch, to get to know your neighbors, and to create a sense of community, accomplishment and pride. Now it seems as if we are in danger of losing this beautiful tradition and all that comes with it. By necessity, many water rights owners are using hired hands from outside of the community to clean for the day, and fewer are doing the work themselves on behalf of their family name anymore. Teaching acequia traditions and sustainable land-based practices must become a top priority if we hope to continue to benefit from this way of life, a life which depends on a healthy ecosystem and strategies to pass working knowledge to future generations. I was raised with the philosophy that if we take care of the land, the land will take care of us. Cleaning the acequias is one way to take care of the land in preparation for what it will provide us – flowing water, our lifeblood! By practicing our acequia traditions, we preserve them and strengthen our connection to the land, the water and our communities. Page 4
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
May 2018
New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau 2018 Summer Conference, June 19-21 Isleta Resort & Casino Tuesday, June 19th 2:00 pm Welcome 2:15 pm “Know Thy Neighbor Understanding Personality Types” (Take a test and identify your type, learn to appreciate and work with other personality types) 5:30 pm Dinner on Your Own Wednesday, June 20th 8:00 am “Engaging a Younger Generation” 9:00 am “Educating the Confused Consumer” 10:00 am Break 10:15 am “Principles of Soil Health” 11:00 am Preparing for the 2019 Legislative Session 12:00 Lunch with FBFS, Joint Keynote Speaker 3:00 - 6:00 pm Golf with FBFS or 2:30 - 5:00 pm tours 6:30 Dinner and Talent Showcase Thursday, June 21st 9:00 am Candidate Forum 11:00 Conclusion 1:30 Pesticide CEU Course 1:30 Goat Raiser’s Roundtable
The host hotel is the Isleta Resort & Casino. Rooms will be available starting at the discounted rate of 99.00 until June 1. For reservations call 505-724-3800 and mention New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau.
NMF&LB 2018 Summer Conference Registration Form
Name:______________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ Email address:_______________________________________________________________ County:____________________________________Phone:___________________________ #___Early Registration $165 after June 1 - $215 (One person - all inclusive) #___Child Registration $65 after June 1- $80 (age 6-15, under 6 are free)
#___High School/ Collegiate Farm Bureau Member $110 (CFB membership must be current) after June 1 - $135 #___Additional Dinner tickets $50 #___Additional Lunch tickets $30 #___Additional Breakfast tickets $25
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
May 2018
Farm to Fork was Fabulous By Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications
“Good food, good friends, good cause.” Those were the words of one participant who thoroughly enjoyed New Mexico
Ag in the Classroom’s Farm to Fork Fundraiser. Held in conjunction with NMSU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism, the five-course dinner that benefitted both programs was a success. “Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, donated or purchased an auction item, or gave local ingredients,” said Traci Curry, Southern Director of NMAITC. “We are so grateful for your generosity and support. This makes a huge difference for our program and will magnify our ag awareness efforts across the state.” Thanks as well to the HRTM team, the professors and students did an amazing job!
Representative Yvette Herrell and Pistol Pete (Kaden Eisenbraun)
Haley Montes, Andy Ellett, Kaden, Jim and Earlene Ellett, and Larry and Kathy Reagan On the cover: Kaden and auctioneer Raul Perea Below, Kaden flanked by George and Mayra Jackson
Kaden, Sue and Bud Deerman
The hard-working crew. Northern NMAITC Director Brenda Logan, Marketing Coordinator Francisco Hatay, Southern NMAITC Director Traci Curry, and Bookkeeper Cecilia Diaz-Johnson Page 6
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
May 2018
Kaden, Janet and Jeff Witte Jerry and Angela Ledesma with Jennifer and Anthony Parra
Brandon Gillis, Andi Allen with Leslie and JW Lindsay
Kaden, Rebecca and Fred Mobley
Turn the page to see our extensive list of donors. Thanks so much. Below left, NMF&LB President Craig Ogden and NMF&LB CEO Chad Smith. Middle, Boyd and Helen Prouty. Bottom right Judy and Charles Glover.
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
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SPONSORS!
FARM
TO OUR
TO feed our future
FORK
THANK YOU
FOOD & BEVERAGE DONORS Sprouts (Las Cruces) - sweet corn, jicama, cilantro, parsley Snake Ranch Farms (Socorro) - diced green chile and red chile Sam’s Club (Las Cruces) - limes, lemons, onions Tom Salopek Farms (Las Cruces) - pecans Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wine (Alamogordo) - pistachios NM Wine Growers Association Gruet (Albuquerque) - dessert bubbly La Viña (Anthony) - white wine Southwest Dairy Farmers (Roswell) - cream, half and half, butter Bosque Brewing Company (Las Cruces)- craft beer Navajo Pride (Farmington) - pride golden potatoes USA Beef Packing (Roswell) - beef Santa Ana Pueblo - blue, yellow, and white corn Moses, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque - honey Silver Leaf Farms (Corrales) - butter lettuce Apple Canyon Gourmet (Albuquerque) - prickly pear nectar St. Clair Winery (Deming) - red wine Calhoun Flower Farms (Las Cruces) - 15 tabletop bouquets, seed packets Mosimann Farms (Los Lunas) - kale Carrasco Farms (Belen) - spinach Family and Consumer Sciences (NMSU) - jar openers NM Beef Council - potholders, rub
LIVE AUCTION ITEM DONORS Smith Ford - truck grill guard Robert “Shoofly” Shufelt - signed print Picture Frame Factory Outlet - framing, framed cow photo Tom Tinnin- Tinnin Hunt Club - guided 6 bird hunt for 2 people with overnight stay (2 rooms) and walk through course and wobble trap practice Jim & Earlene Ellett - antique school desk NM Basket Give Away - chile pepper institute, holy jolokia ketchup, mustard, rub, BBQ sauce, chile seeds Visit Las Cruces New Mexico - Las Cruces Country Music Festival basket with 4 weekend passes
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
May 2018
Get out and meet the Candidates By Chad Smith, CEO
The political campaigning season is upon on us once again. It is time to vote in a new Governor who will be responsible for moving New Mexico into the future. It is an exciting time for change but also a time of uncertainty for agricultural policy in New Mexico and all policy in general. With a new Governor, new House of Representatives and at least one newly elected to the U.S. Congress, we have a lot of work ahead of us. Education is going to be of the utmost importance for our newly elected officials and so that is why I am asking you all to take some time to get to know all the candidates, where they stand on agriculture policy and seek out an opportunity to educate those who will represent us in the year(s) to come. As we go into the primary election, candidates are pounding the pavement to secure your vote. They are also looking for contributions to help their cause and further their campaign. As you get to know your candidates and learn where they stand and what they stand for I would encourage you all to be very selective in your candidate of choice. Whether it is a Republican or Democrat does not much matter to myself or the organization, what does matter is where they stand on policy and how they intend to further New Mexico, better our economy and more importantly support the agricultural industry. If you find a candidate that you can firmly support and stand behind, I would also encourage you to contribute to help their cause. As an organization we do not monetarily support candidates, but that is where our grassroots can be effective. If our grassroots engage in the process and individuals help support solid candidates, we as an organization can lean on you and that relationship that is fostered through political campaign support. Whether it is a donation of $25, $50, $100 or $1000, every little bit counts. So, as we prepare for the primary election on Tuesday, June 5th I hope that New Mexico and our agricultural community brings forward the best candidates in all parties, who will support New Mexico agriculture, recognize the importance and understand our contribution to the economy. Let’s get out there, meet the candidates and together. let’s elect good officials that will work across the aisles and get things done to better New Mexico and our agircultural industry. If you are planning on joining us for our Summer Conference, on June 21st at 9am we will host a Gubernatorial and Land Commissioner debate. Hope to see you there!
New Mexico agriculture industry hosts conference for future producers By Kristie Garcia, NMDA PIO
The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and a dozen other New Mexico agencies and agriculture organizations are hosting the 2018 AgriFuture Educational Institute for future agriculturists. This event is geared toward anyone 18 to 40 years of age but is open to anyone older or younger who are interested in being a part of the future of agriculture. Current producers of any age are highly encouraged to join alongside future producers to learn and share insights. Veterans of the armed forces are encouraged to attend. The 2018 AgriFuture Educational Institute aims to connect, inform and inspire the next generation of farmers, ranchers and all people involved in agriculture. AgriFuture will be held May 15 to 17 in Albuquerque. “AgriFuture provides a tremendous opportunity for those who have an interest in agriculture production,” said Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture. “The conference is about opportunities and resources and is presented by those who are actively engaged in agriculture. I encourage anyone who wants to explore these opportunities to attend, especially the next generation of agriculturists, our returning military veterans and those who have had other careers who may be ready to return to the land.” With over 150 attendees expected, the conference will feature breakout sessions, educational agricultural speakers, dinner with mentors, networking opportunities and more. Future ag producers may attend for $50, which includes a two-night hotel stay. Current ag producers and mentors may attend for $100, and exhibitor booth registration is $250. Registration may be found at https://agrifuture2018.eventbrite. com. For more information, visit http://www.nmda.nmsu.edu/agrifuture-educational-institute/ or contact Kristie Garcia at 575-646-2804. Page 9
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
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Young Farmers & Ranchers Program – Upcoming Events By Britney Lardner, Second Vice Chair From national conferences to pasture golf tournaments, and having monthly committee meetings, NMFLB YF&R Program has been busy this year – and we’re just getting started! To stay up-to-date on all of our events, and how YOU can get involved, be sure to LIKE us on Facebook (our page name: New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers). We post ALL correspondence on there, and we’re also able to get out information through this lovely newsletter, when it’s sent out. Check out what events we’ll be at – come say, “Hi!” May 15-17th – Agrifuture Educational Institute – YFR will have a booth set up at the 2018 AgriFuture Educational Institute, hosted by the NMDA. We will be showcasing all the fun events that YF&R takes part in, throughout the year, and we’ll be talking to those who have interest & questions about joining our supportive program. Scan the QR code to take you right to the FaceBook event, for more details - & to sign up, of course!
*AgriFuture Link – Facebook Event page
June 19-21 – NMFLB Summer Conference – YF&R will hold a social for YFR members. Bring a friend! We’ll post more info in the next newsletter, as well as on our Facebook page, as the date approaches. st
November 15-17th – NMFLB Annual Conference – YFR will host the high school Discussion Meet & will have a social/leadership session for the high school students that attend the conference. Students do not need to compete in the Discussion Meet in order to attend the leadership session, but they will need to be signed for the conference, in order to attend. *More information on these events will be available, as the date approaches. To get in contact with YOUR district committee member, see or list below of current email addresses. They’d love to hear from YOU! Dist. 1 – Erin & Allyn Fuchs - erin_crumbley@yahoo.com Dist. 2 – Jeroen & Traci van der Ploegg – jeroen@freanna.com & totuttlevdp@gmail.com" Dist. 3 – Bronson & Barbara Corn – ba-corn@hotmail.com Dist. 4 – Russell & Brandy Johnson – russell.a.johnson@hotmail.com & brandylee.johnson@yahoo.com Dist. 5 Co-Reps – Savanna & Glenn Trujillo - savtrujillo@gmail.com Nicki Jaynes - nj210@nmsu.edu
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
May 2018
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
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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
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Burl Brown, Des Moines Bud Deerman, La Mesa Jim Ellett, Hope Duane Frost, Claunch Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista Leon Hemann, McDonald Jay Hill, Mesilla Park George Jackson, Lordsburg John Jackson, Lake Arthur Deena Kinman, Elida Matt Lansford, Clovis Donald Martinez, El Rito Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas Troy Sauble, Maxwell Casey Spradley, Cuba John Sweetser, Deming Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee Andy Ellett, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee
REGIONAL DIRECTORS Tanner Anderson, Albuquerque Benjie Segovia, Las Cruces Valerie Huerta, Santa Cruz Director of Organization Matthew Gonzales Director of Government Affairs Breanda Logan 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
Boe Lopez 2nd Vice President, Springer
Cecilia Diaz-Johnson Bookkeeper
Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer
Theresa Widner Director of Membership Services
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New Mexico Farm & Ranch
May 2018