October 2019 New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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

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NMF&LB President’s Column TRACTOR SEAT DAYDREAMING

BY CRAIG OGDEN

A Challenging Year

I am the night irrigator tonight and as I look around I can count at least 27 flairs from oil wells. As a cotton and alfalfa farmer near Carlsbad, I am at the epicenter of New Mexico’s oil boom. A pipe and truck yard are being built east of us where my neighbor used to farm, and farm to market roads are crowded with oil and gas traffic. But those aren’t the only pressures agriculture is currently experiencing. I was watching the market report on the RFD (Rural Farm Delivery) channel the other morning and saw that every commodity was down; cattle, grains, you name it, they are all depressed. When visiting with other farmers and ranchers, not Ogden cont. on page 8

AFBF President’s Column BEYOND THE FENCEROWS

BY ZIPPY DUVALL

Farmers Stand Together for Clean Water and Clear Rules

Farmers are 100 percent supportive of ensuring clean water, including through appropriate regulation, but the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule had no resemblance to responsible oversight.

Instead, it was an overreach of massive proportions. That’s why its defeat is a big win for agriculture and for America, and why the American Farm Bureau is proud to have led the effort to hit the reset button. Across the Farm Bureau family, our grassroots showed up and led the charge in making our voices heard. We called on virtually every member of Congress, offered Duvall cont. on page 8

NMF&LB CEO’s Column CHATTING WITH CHAD

BY CHAD SMITH

Agricultural Policy

This past year has seen some policy successes for New Mexico’s farmers and ranchers both on the state and national level. In March, Governor Lujan-Grisham signed HB204 the Healthy Soils Act that encourages soil conservation. The program is administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and makes available funding for project grants, training and workshops. Producers can partner with their local conservation district to apply for grants, requests are being accepted at NMDA’s website. Also passed was the Forest and Watershed Restoration Act. Maintenance of forest is a vital concern for ranchers since tree overgrowth Smith cont. on page 16

On the cover: Teachers participate in the NMAITC/NRCS GROW Project

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

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An Opportunity for Growth, How a grant becomes a garden

By Traci Curry, New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom New Mexico Ag in the Classroom wants students to understand the science behind planting and growing a garden while learning about soil conservation and food production. Fortunately, so does the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

Through a NRCS grant, we’ve teamed up to offer teachers a “garden in a box.”

Teachers from across the state applied to receive a project kit that included everything a busy teacher would need to have a successful raised bed garden and drip irrigation system, as well as a classroom hydroponic system. The kit materials were designed by Julie Janecka, a recently retired teacher that understands the value of incorporating environmental sciences, but also recognizes that teachers lack resources to initiate school gardens.

Above, students at Hillrise Elementary inspect their garden which The first window of the grant proved to be very was planted by their teachers at a workshop this summer (below). competitive and these 12 schools were awarded a New Mexico Grow Project kit: • Jemez Valley High School, Scott Meihack, Jemez Pueblo, NM • Mesa View Elementary, Amy Cameron, Grants, NM • Whittier Elementary, Javier “Mateo” Carrasco, Albuquerque, NM • Arroyos del Norte Elementary, Liz Gilroy, Arroyo Seco, NM • Rio Gallinas Charter- Benjie Espinoza • Te Tsu Geh Oweenge School, Leon Herrera, Tesueque Pueblo, NM • Cliff Schools, Frances Miller, Cliff, NM • Hillrise Elementary, Kira Claussen, Las Cruces, NM • University Hills Elementary, Alicia Alba, Las Cruces, NM • Desert Willow Elementary, Deborah Edeal, Carlsbad, NM • Dexter Elementary, Amber Spence, Dexter, NM • Elida Elementary, Kristi Victor, Elida, NM Applicants who were not chosen in the first round are welcomed to reapply. Applications will be accepted starting in late January and will close in early spring. You can also stay tuned for upcoming New Mexico Grow Project Grant opportunities via their e-newsletter. Sign up today at www.nmaitc.org.

The goal of the project is to empower teachers with a basic foundational knowledge to be able to adapt the systems to their individual setting and to troubleshoot issues with easy to find local resources. This design will provide more flexibility if their students want to do real world problem solving and project-based learning which is what we encourage in order to grow future world problem solvers.

The project also covered free training workshops that familiarized educators with the materials and introduced them to local experts. Sixty-seven teachers from across the state participated in the NM Grow Workshop trainings. “After receiving the grant and attending your workshop, I am ecstatic to get started on this new endeavor,” said Amy Cameron, a teacher at Mesa View Elementary in Grants. “The curriculum coupled with the grant is endless. I am so excited to share Page 4

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with teachers. There are awesome activities connecting to the world and the importance of growing.”

This sentiment was echoed by Liz Gilroy of Taos. “Arroyos del Norte Elementary School is very excited to grow our gardening program with the addition of the raised beds and hydroponics system. Thanks to the resources provided through our New Mexico Grow Project Grant, the kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders will have a hands-on opportunity to grow and raise food while learning

Above, the Carlsbad workshop was well-attended. Left, Pueblo of Tesuque students are growing cherry and roma tomatoes, local red chile from Chimayo and strawberries in their raised garden.

about the life sciences, food production, nutrition and the joy of taking care of something.”

Leon Herrera with the Pueblo of Tesuque has a garden up and growing. “The main goal as a recipient of this grant is to teach our children how we as native people used to live.

How our ancestors hunted and gathered from the land and used everything we have to this day to sustain themselves for generations. Those same teachings in which I received, I want to give back to these children to teach them the importance agriculture still has on our lives and in our culture as well as the benefits from it.”

“We are excited to have the Grow Project at Hillrise Elementary,” says Karin Hite the school’s principal. “ We intend to use it as a launch pad both to inspire students through phenomena-based science learning that aligns to Next Generation Science Standards, as well as to connect our students to the relevance and importance of agriculture in our world.

Our students may only be children now, but one day will grow to be leaders, workers, and voting citizens. We want them to be invested in agricultural science now so that they will understand their part and make contributions to our global agricultural economy and sustainability later. Basically we are saving the world one garden at a time.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Services is an agency committed to “helping people help the land.” Their mission is to provide resources to farmers and landowners to aid them with conservation. Ensuring productive lands in harmony with a healthy environment is their priority. With operations in the United States, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam, the agency touches the lives of a diverse range of individuals.

A special thank you for making the NM Project a success!

•USDA- Natural Resource Conservation Service •Farm Credit of New Mexico •Roadrunner Lube & Detail, Chris Norman •New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau Experts from the 4-H State Office, Cheryl Butterfield; Food Corps., Mateo Carrasco, and from the Cooperative Extension Service, Jeff Anderson (a special thank you for hydroponic kit design),Woods Houghton, and Master Gardener Philip Huston. As well as to our USDA NRCS staff presenters: Richard Strait, Ayana Brown, Raquel Chacon, and Michael Young. And a big shout out to our teacher experts: Chris Saxon, Elizabeth Turner and Kim O’Byrne.

Special thank you to our crews that helped load and unload an enormous amount of kit materials: Rio Grande High School Baseball Team (loaded 6 kits in record time) Carlsbad FFA and Leslie Clark (worked in 107-degree heat!)

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New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service Offers Master Gardener Programs Across State

By Eduardo Servin, State Manager for the Master Gardeners The first Extension Master Gardener Program (MGP) began in 1972 in Washington with two participating counties, King and Pierce. In 1980, eight years after Dr. Gibby started the MGP in Washington, Extension staff from NMSU attended a conference on the Extension Master Gardener Programs of the Northwest. In 1982, New Mexico developed the first Master Gardener program in Bernalillo County. Bernalillo was selected because it houses the largest metropolitan area in the state. The Bernalillo County Master Gardener Program was a collaborative effort between Bernalillo County Extension and the Council of Albuquerque Garden Clubs. Simultaneously, programs were developed in Santa Fe County and El Paso, Texas.

Specifically, Dr. Gibby’s design united university administrators, county extension agents, and specialists within the Land Grant College interested in participating in his plan. All members were motivated to plan, test, and provide a training program for local gardeners. These interested local gardeners would then volunteer their time and knowledge, and provide further service and information to the community. Dr. Gibby’s solution and the program that emerged were highly successful, and the Extension Master Gardener concept rapidly spread throughout the country within the Land Grant College system.

Fast forward to 2019 when 10 active Master Gardener programs exist throughout the state. New Mexico has Extension Master Gardener Programs in: Bernalillo, Colfax, Dona Ana, Lea, Los Alamos, Otero, Sandoval, Santa Fe, Taos, and Valencia. Currently, the state of New Mexico has close to 1000 active volunteers that have contributed over 50,000 volunteer hours. Some NMSU Specialists conduct their Extension Master Gardener training classes for the Navajo Tri-State Extension Master Gardener Program in an effort to reach more participants in the state. Today, as the program grows, the fundamental goal of giving back to our community and spreading knowledge for all individuals that have an interest in gardening remains unchanged. We are working hard to expand the program to those areas that currently don’t have a Master Gardener program.

The majority of MGP require some classroom time and volunteer activities that benefit the County where the MGP is situated in the state. Volunteer activities vary by county but have been known to include school and youth education programs, development and maintenance of community gardens along with growing and donating produce to community food banks. Sandoval county master gardeners have donated 2000 lbs. of vegetables to local community food banks. Additionally, Master Gardeners answer calls on the gardening hotline and assist NMSU faculty with demonstration and research projects. Dona Ana MGP participates in the Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market, the Home and Garden Show along with assisting in the 4-H and Kids and Kows & More and all Extension youth programs.

The commitment to become a Master Gardener is typically from half a day to a full day for around 14 weeks along with 30-40 hours of volunteering.

Course topics include Gardening, native plants, irrigation, basic plant and soil science, composting and many others. Contact your local Master Gardener chapter. I can be reached at 575 6462771 servin@nmsu.edu .

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More Than a Membership Drive

By Valerie Huerta, Director of Organization How do you spark interest about Farm Bureau in your community? This is one question Torrance County Farm & Livestock Bureau has continued to ask themselves until this past year.

One idea generated during one of their monthly board meetings was to create opportunities for people to learn about issues in their community. The first of these community gatherings began with a presentation by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Deer and Pronghorn Biologist Orrin Duvuvuel on the changes to the Antelope rule. The event was well attended. The following month, Dr. Crystal Clark DVM and Torrance County Secretary gave a presentation on ruminant health, management and diseases Above, Brian Greene, long-time Torrance County F&LB member, speaks to the for cattle and goats. Future outreach the group. Below, Orrin Duvuvuel answers questions about the antelope rule. events include a goat round table.

While it is not necessary to be a Farm Bureau member to attend these monthly workshops, Torrance County has recruited a few workshop attendees to become Farm Bureau members. Their goal is to not only recruit members, but to bring awareness to the community that Farm Bureau cares and is involved in issues that affect us all, especially on a local level.

Opportunities such as these are a great way to get communities interested in issues that are relevant locally. Member recruitment and involvement is a continuous process. In life, we are all tasked with priorities; PTA, sports, work, 4-H and family.

How do we make Farm Bureau a priority? I think the direct answer is different for each of us, however, issues that affect our ways of life are impactful. What a better way to say we care about what’s going on because we are affected by it too and we stand as one voice. Now that’s something to be Farm Bureau Proud about.

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Ogden cont. from page 2 only in the state but around the western US, they all report that it has been a challenging year. Hail wiped out my friend’s corn in Colorado, there has been flooding in the high plains, and we’ve experienced record high temperatures, drought and bug problems we haven’t seen in a while. Don’t forget the labor woes many are going through. I think I am ready, I am certain others are as well, for this crop year to start winding down.

These are the trials and tribulations that just about anyone in agriculture deals with. Farming or ranching is a business, but I am convinced it is also a lifestyle. You have to make money to pay all your bills, but not many would put in the hours that people in agriculture do unless they really liked it, at least most of the time. The only ones that might have some comparison are those that own their own business. But we don’t go it alone, New Mexico’s agricultural community is fortunate to have volunteers that believe in our way of life. I was honored to have dinner with some of them the other day. Tom Sidwell and Randell Major, the president and president-elect of Cattle Growers, Jim Berlier and Jimbo Williams, the president and vice-president of the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts, and Bronson Corn and James Duffey, the president and vice-president of New Mexico Wool Growers. These are all humble people that are dedicated to keeping agriculture viable, not only now, but in the future. Each organization has a board with other volunteers just as we do at New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau. It is the joint effort that will make us all strong, not only legislatively, but also as an industry.

To prepare for the future, our board is formulating a strategic plan. We are exploring the role of New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau and how we can contribute to the success of our state’s agricultural community. We’ve already undertaken a peer review and the strategic planning committee is charting a course for the next few years. Issues committees are coming together and are planning a path forward that best suits their situation. I haven’t given them much direction, but each is finding their way. Just around the corner, county farm bureau’s are planning their annual meetings. This is a chance for our grassroots to address local issues through the creation of policy. Review the resolution book and if there is an area of concern, please take action and write up a resolution. These resolutions are what we follow, so we need the membership to step up to give us guidance and direction. Members are important, the grassroots model isn’t functional without you.

Until next time, do justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

Duvall cont. from page 2 testimony, engaged the Administration in frank dialogue and challenges. This win shows what we can achieve through the full impact of Farm Bureau’s firepower, from expert policy analysis and legal advocacy to communication and grassroots engagement. It shows the great things we can accomplish when we speak with one voice to defend what is right and good for our farms, rural communities and our country.

Today, we celebrate an important step toward restoring the rule of law and common sense to regulation. We have a system of rules and regulations that govern this country, making our communities safer, protecting the quality of our food and protecting our environment, all while ensuring our constitutional rights are preserved. It’s our job as Americans to be sure that our government by the people remains for the people. So when a regulation or rule comes along that ignores the rule of law and gives any agency power beyond what Congress and the Constitution allow, then it’s time for all of us to speak up. That’s just what you have done, and this win is yours.

I have always said that any farmer or rancher should be able to look out on the land—without having to invite a posse of lawyers and consultants—and know what is, and what isn’t, a regulated waterway. That wasn’t possible under the 2015 rule because the rule wasn’t about water. It was a federal land grab, pure and simple. Courts across the country recognized this, and now the EPA and the Corps under the President’s direction have righted this wrong. Some will accuse us of being anti-regulation. That’s unfair and untrue. Farmers and ranchers know better than almost anyone the importance of keeping our food safe and protecting our natural resources. We all deserve clean water and clear rules.

Farm Bureau is hopeful that farmers soon will have the common-sense rules we have been calling for, as we look to the new Clean Water Rule the Administration is finalizing. It’s been a breath of fresh air working with EPA Administrator Wheeler as he has walked the talk when it comes to giving farmers a seat at the table. Under his leadership, EPA has invited farmers and ranchers and business owners to give their input, and the agency has listened. From all we’ve seen in the published draft, the new Clean Water Rule promises to work for agriculture as well as it does for environmental protection.

The new rule recognizes the conservation work we are doing and provides the clarity we need to keep producing America’s food.

Now, more than ever, farmers and ranchers should take pride in our conservation story. We are growing more food with fewer resources and reducing our environmental footprint. Let’s continue to share that story, starting with our neighbors and communities. Farming is work grounded in trust across generations and communities—trust that we will do right by the land and do what’s best for our families and neighbors. I am proud of the work you all are doing every day to make your farms and ranches more sustainable. Today’s victory is a testament to your perseverance and dedication to protecting the land, air and water we all enjoy now and for generations to come.

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Collegiate Farm Bureau - Greyhound Style

By Tanner Anderson, Regional Director

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DRINKING WATER TANKS

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New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau is pleased to welcome a new collegiate chapter from Eastern New Mexico University.

Pictured left to right: Ana Diaz, Treasurer; Lidia Baldonado, Secretary; Raelynn Dusenbery, Public Relations Officer; Shyanne Ussery, President; Riley Summers, Vice President; and Lyle Logemann, YF&R Liaison.

Collegiate Farm Bureau is an outstanding membership organization for people interested in agriculture.

Participation in Collegiate Farm Bureau allows students to maintain a strong connection and commitment to the agricultural industry while they are away from the family farm or ranch working on their degree. The program is designed so that members get more exposure to the structure and workings of Farm Bureau, the State Legislature and the agricultural community so that they can become future leaders in food production. Activities include socials at the University, attending state and national meetings and various legislative events.

“New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau is a big advocate of agriculture, so as an agriculturist I am excited to be a part of Collegiate Farm Bureau,” says Shyanne Ussery, the chapter’s president who is an agricultural education major from Hobbs.

“One of our goals as a chapter is to strengthen agricultural awareness on campus and to increase the presence of agriculture within our community and state. We believe in building leaders within the agriculture industry.”

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Cloud Seeding and its Potential Benefits for NM Agriculture

By Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications and Media Relations

Last winter was a great year for precipitation causing farmers, ranchers and skiers to rejoice. Reservoirs were recharged, rivers ran higher than they have in years and wildfire danger was relatively low. But that wet season was an anomaly and our state’s food producers are always looking for ways to access more water for crops and range forage. That’s what brought members of the Roosevelt Soil and Water Conservation District (RSWCD) to the Interim Meeting of the New Mexico Legislative Economic and Rural Development Committee where they gave a presentation on cloud seeding.

Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification that is practiced in South America, Africa, Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Texas, just to name a few. It involves meteorologists identifying cloud formations that have the potential for precipitation and then pilots flying planes equipped with silver iodide flares above the cloud to spray them with the salt crystals. Water molecules are attracted to the salt crystals and as they collide droplets form and produce precipitation. So cloud seeding doesn’t make clouds, it condenses water vapor into droplets or in higher elevations, snowflakes.

Mike Cone, President of the RSWCD, spoke about the method, costs and benefits of such a program explaining that the $1.5 million dollar proposal would be used state-wide and would have a winter component to include ski resorts. He spoke of the program used by Quay, Curry and Roosevelt counties that was active in 1997 and how it successfully increased precipitation rates for those areas through 2006 when funding was exhausted. Cone cited how cloud seeding experts are comfortable in Mike Cone, RSWCD President, predicting at least a 12% increase in rain through cloud seeding, and if cloud forma- presents a cloud seeding propostions are optimal, a 20% increase would be expected. “Basically you’re creating more al to the Economic and Rural Development Interim Committee.

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rain over a larger area,” said Cone.

“Weather modification can be highly effective in the right circumstances and could be an effective tool for New Mexico agriculturists,” says Representative Candie Sweetser, D-Deming. “Cloud seeding works and would be good for New Mexico, but it is not simple.

Last session I sponsored legislation (HB460) to have a weather modification program developed and administered through New Mexico State University. Unfortunately, the funding was not available, but I believe it is an effort worth pursuing so our farmers and ranchers can maximize rainfall when the conditions are ripe for seeding.”

Seven organizations in Texas, including an aquifer authority and a ground water conservation district utilize cloud seeding. In Colorado 40 organizations, including water conservation districts, ski resorts, and city utilities such as the City of Los Angeles, spend roughly $1 million a year to enhance snowfall and boost mountain snowpack. This in turn benefits down-river users as surface water used for irrigation. Nevada claims their cloud seeding program has increased snowpack by up to 10%, creating 80,000 more acre feet of water a year, enough to provide water to 150,000 households.

When Cone had completed his presentation, Rick Ledbetter, chile farmer and Treasurer for the RSWCD spoke about the return on investment presenting a table showing the value of rainfall. He noted that the majority of the program’s expense would be for pilots and their time in six planes located across the state.

During the question and answer period Representative Jane Powdrell-Culbert, (R) Albuquerque, expressed support for the program, asking her fellow legislators to vote yes on the bill when it was introduced in the next session.

Pilots from Weather Modification Inc. prepare cloud-seeding--the dispersing of particles into the air with the aim of increasing precipitation--aircraft with seeding flares, as part of SNOWIE (Seeded and Natural Orographic Wintertime Clouds--the Idaho Experiment). Photo courtesy of the National Science Foundation.

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Sheraton Uptown, Albuquerque, NM November 21-23, 2019

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2019 Annual Meeting People, Purpose & Passion NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAU

Hotel Information

Sheraton Uptown, 2600 Louisiana Blvd., Albuquerque Make reservations by calling 1-800-325-3535 and referencing NMF&LB, or go to https://tinyurl.com/NMFLBAnnMeet19Hotel Rooms start at $119.00 before October 22nd Thursday, November 21 10:00 am Women’s Leadership Program Business Meeting 11:30 am Lunch 12:00 pm Salena Zito, Keynote Speaker Washington Examiner Reporter 1:00 pm County Caucuses Regions 1, 3, 5 1:45 pm Annual Business Session 2:30 pm Board of Directors’ Reorganization Meeting 3:00 pm Adoption of Policy Resolution 6:00 - 8:00 pm Reception 7:30 pm County Presidents’ Meeting Friday, November 22 7:00-9:00 am Beef Quality Assurance Training, Dr. John Wenzel 8:00 am (Breakout Sessions) Animal Disease - Dr. Zimmerman FSA Farm Bill-Mike White 8:00 am YF&R Sweet 20 Discussion Meet

8:45 am (Breakout Sessions) Traceability - Dr. Zimmerman NRCS Farm Bill-Xavier Montoya 9:45 am Break and opening of Collegiate Farm Bureau Silent Auction 10:00 am (Breakout Sessions) USFS- Adam Medonca Produced Water-Kerry Harpole 10:45 am (Breakout Sessions) BLM-Tim Spisak Hemp - Jeff Anderson 11:30 am YF&R Discussion Meet Final Four 12:15 pm Luncheon Speaker - Jeff Witte, NM Sec. of Ag Discussion Meet Winner Teacher of the Year Media Person of the Year 1:30 pm Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator (tentative) 2:45 pm General Session

Emergency Preparedness - Tom Dean 2:45 pm Collegiate Discussion Meet 3:45 pm General Session Succession Planning – FBFS 6:00 pm Annual Awards Banquet Raise the Steaks Recognition of Outgoing & Incoming Board Members Volunteer of the Year Farm Family of the Year Ride for the Brand Entertainment to follow Saturday, November 23 8:00 am Breakfast

Clinton Griffiths, Keynote Speaker AgDay Anchor/Producer 9:30 am Update on New Mexico Agriculture Campaign Mark Truax 10:30 am Social Media Refresher

NMF&LB 2019 Annual Meeting Registration Form

Name:______________________________________________________________________ Address:____________________________________________________________________ Email address:_______________________________________________________________ County:____________________________________Phone:___________________________ #___Early Registration $165 after October 22nd - $215 (One person - all inclusive) #___Child Registration $50 after October 22nd - $65 (age 6-12, under 6 free) #___Student $100 (age 13-Collegiate FB Member) after October 22nd - $125

#___Daily Registration $125 ______Thursday _____Friday #___Additional Thursday Reception tickets $75 #___Additional Friday Dinner tickets $75 #___Additional Lunch tickets $50 ______Thursday _____Friday #___Additional Saturday Breakfast tickets $35

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

Total Due:_______________Check #:_____________ Questions?

Call Theresa Widner at 575-532-4703 or email her at theresaw@nmflb.org

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It is time to start making plans for the 2020 American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention in Austin,TX, January 17-22, 2020.

New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau will be staying at the JW Marriott where rooms will be $254 a night.

A limited number of rooms are available on a first come first serve basis.

Conference registration is $100 for Farm Bureau members.

For more information visit annualconvention.fb.org If you are interested in attending please contact Theresa at theresaw@nmflb.org as soon as possible.

Smith cont. from page 2 leads to reduced availability of surface water. When water is absorbed by an overabundance of seedlings, runoff is curtailed and water in streams and ponds is short-changed.

Lastly HB581, the Hemp Manufacturing Act, helps farmers who are interested in diversifying into a crop that is in great demand. New Mexico is ahead of the curve in crop production and the hope is that hemp will help farmers diversify their operation and provide another source of income for our farmers.

Nationally we’re celebrating the EPA’s decision to repeal the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule. The previous rule was vague and overreaching, requiring our nation’s food producers to hire third party contractors to determine if streams, arroyos or temporary ponds were “navigable.” We appreciate that the EPA will be repealing and re-writing the rule allowing for common sense considerations. Additionally welcomed was EPA’s commitment to recodifiy regulations that existed prior to the 2015 rule that will ultimately end more of the regulatory uncertainty that has existed for many years.

One issue that needs an immediate resolution is trade. New Mexico exports over $700 million annually in ag products and the trade situation is taking its toll on our farmers and ranchers. Items such as pecans, dairy products and beef are sent to our trade partners and a fair-trade agreement will ensure that these exports will have a home. The current holding pattern is affecting the livelihoods of our members.

Another issue with negative impacts on our farmers is the uncertainty around labor. Chile, lettuce and onions all require a human touch when harvesting and people interested in working in the field are scarce. The government tried to provide a mechanism for bringing foreign labor to the states through H2A visas, but involvement in the program is cost prohibitive. By the time a farmer pays for administrative fees, travel costs and provides housing, expenses add up to $1,200 for each worker before any work is performed. Currently, the American Farm Bureau Federation along with State Farm Bureau’s and other organizations are trying to find a compromise that will appeal to Congress to ensure we have a future labor force. There has to be a simpler solution and so we are hopeful that we will see a new labor program in the very near future that works and is more cost effective.

As you can see, agriculture is heavily affected by policies and regulations that can hinder or help food production.

We hope you will stay tuned as we work through these issues and also prepare for the next legislative session, we could use your activism.

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Fall 2019

REGISTRATION

LOCATION

$600 PER TEAM OF 5 SHOOTERS OR $125 PER INDIVIDUAL 24 STATION WALK-THRU SPORTING CLAY COURSE

TINNIN HUNT CLUB 38 PAIZALAS DR, BOSQUE, NM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH

PLEASE BRING SHOTGUN, AT LEAST 5 BOXES OF SHELLS, EAR AND EYE PROTECTION AND EXTRA CASH FOR A FUN 50/50 RAFFLE

REGISTRATION AT 9:00 AM SHOOT AT 10:00 AM

5-STAND OR WOBBLE TRAP $25 EACH LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED

REGISTER ONLINE AT https://tinyurl.com/2019S4A

SPONSORSHIP

5 Stand - $500 Wobble Trap - $500 Station Walk Thru Sporting Clay Course - $250

NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAU

CASH PRIZES 1ST - $1,000 2ND - $750 3RD - $500

CONTACT Eva Hernandez at evah@nmflb.org or (575)532-4709 Mike McCallister at docmaci1984@gmail.com or (505)710-4484

SIGNATURE SPONSOR

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Fall 2019

Tiffany Rivera Hired as NMF&LB Director of Governmental Affairs NMF&LB is proud to announce that Tiffany Rivera has been hired as the Director of Governmental Affairs. Rivera is a Las Cruces native who graduated from New Mexico State University with a Master’s degree in Agribusiness and Bachelor’s degree in Pre-vet Animal Science. Previously, Tiffany worked at the New Mexico Department of Agriculture where she began her career as a Soil and Water Conservation District Specialist and concluded as Manager for Government Affairs.

“I am excited to represent some of the hardest working individuals in the state that help produce the food that we get to enjoy each and every day,” says Rivera. “It is my pleasure to Ag-vocate on their behalf while working to elevate New Mexico agriculture and promoting a strong bond with consumers.” “We’re excited about Tiffany joining the team,” says Chad Smith, NMF&LB CEO. “She brings a wealth of knowledge about agricultural policy and will do a great job of representing the agricultural community.”

Valencia County F&LB Hosts Hay Stacking Contest

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

The hay was flying as teams competed for buckles and prize money during the VCF&LB hay stacking contest at the county fair. Participants were required to move 35 bales from a trailer, stack them, and return to the trailer in the fastest time possible.

PeeWees only had 10 bales to move from the trailer to the ground. Team placing was decided by time and the quality of the stack.

“For over ten years the VCF&LB has partnered with the Valencia County Fair to host the annual hay stacking contest,” says Newt McCarty, VCF&LB President. “With increasing popularity, the contest has grown with a total of 20 teams competing this year in the Open, Ladies, Youth and Peewee classes. We would like to thank the Valencia County Fair, the participants, Mathews Meats for donating hay and Chical Haystack for donating the Peewee prizes.”

Fall 2019

Those big moments in life?

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

Together, we’ll help make sure you have the right coverage.

Contact your Farm Bureau agent today.

fbfs.com Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company provider of Farm Bureau Financial Services LI164 (8-19)

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

Fall 2019

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

2220 N. Telshor Las Cruces, NM 88011 ELECTRONIC 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. A 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 Chad Smith Chief Executive Officer Page 20

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New Mexico Farm & Ranch

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Burl Brown, Des Moines Bud Deerman, La Mesa Crystal Diamond, Elephant Butte Jim Ellett, Hope Duane Frost, Claunch Travis Harris, San Antonio Don Hartman, Deming Gary Hathorn, Flora Vista Leon Hemann, McDonald John Jackson, Lake Arthur Deena Kinman, Elida Donald Martinez, El Rito Steve Myrick, Clovis Tommy Ortiz, Las Vegas Stewart Rooks, Gila Troy Sauble, Maxwell Casey Spradley, Cuba Tom Wilton, Ft. Sumner Anita Hand, Chair Women’s Leadership Committee Andy Ellett, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee

REGIONAL DIRECTORS Tanner Anderson Benjie Segovia Valerie Huerta Director of Organization Tiffany Rivera Director of Governmental Affairs Traci Curry Director, Southern Region 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 Eva Hernandez Executive Assistant

Fall 2019