newsletter september 2013 final4

Farm & Ranch September 2013

September 2013®

™

Volume 70, No. 8

What do you get when you mix cotton candy, ferris wheels and sheep? Why the county fair of course. You know that you and your family can have a great time eating funnel cake, riding the Zipper and watching the rodeo, but do you know the history behind the fair? Most were established as a way for farmers and ranchers to sell their excess products after the harvest. Soon human nature kicked in and the sale became a contest as farmers and ranchers brought their blue-ribbon specimens to town to be judged. Animals were evaluated on their function - milk, meat or fiber. Crops were also judged on their fiber as well as their seed or fruit. Children began entering as FFA and 4-H members competing for prize money and scholarships. Today’s fairs highlight not just the crops and animals but also the latest harvest equipment, arts and crafts entries and of course a variety of carnival rides.

County Farm Bureaus across the state have been busy hosting petting zoos and pancake dinners, building parade floats and promoting membership in Farm Bureau. Enjoy these photos of the activities they’ve been engaged in this busy fair season.

“Fair Time”by Dalene Hodnett, Director of Communications and Media Relations

Torrance County FB’s float in the fair parade. Photo courtesy of Chad Smith.

Left: Albinita Romero works the Rio Arriba County FB booth at the county fair explaining the benefits of membership while touting county activities. Above: Gerald and Karen Boxberger answer ag questions at New Mexico Ag in the Classroom’s “My American Farm” kiosk at the Taos County Fair. Both photos courtesy of Traci Curry.


IDEAS AND ELBOW GREASEThe President’s Column

By Michael S. White, President

THE AG AGENDABy Bob Stallman, President

American Farm Bureau Federation-------------------------------------------

New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom

It’s that time of the year again, when children go back to school and teachers search for interesting ways to teach an ever-increasing sterile and prescribed curriculum. What if students could learn the same social studies, math and science lessons in a new, hands-on manner that engaged their sense of curiosity? That’s exactly what New Mexico Ag in the Class-room (NMAITC) offers to teachers and homeschoolers free of charge. NMAITC started as a volunteer-led effort by NMF&LB to teach students about agriculture.

Originally spear-headed by Grace Cain, its popularity grew so much that now, three decades later, we have two full-time employees spreading the good word about agriculture through-out the state. NMAITC Director Traci Curry has years of experience as a teacher and is as at home teaching students about the life cycle of chile as she is leading a teacher workshop showing instructors how NMAITC lessons meet Common Core require-ments. Traci Tuttle – van der Ploeg, NMAITC Coordinator, has years of Farm Bureau experience as an NMSU Collegiate Farm Bureau member originally from Valencia County and is adept at taking current agricultural issues and making them relevant to students’ lives.

They spend a significant part of their time in classrooms and are often met by common misconceptions – choco-late milk comes from brown cows, sheep produce cotton, and that all corn is sweet corn. They use these oppor-tunities to talk about dairies and dairy products, wool and New Mexico’s historic sheep industry, and animal

nutrition and the role of field corn in ruminant rations.

Not only do Traci and Traci pres-ent to classrooms, they also conduct hands-on activities at county fairs and explain agricultural employment avail-abilities at career days. Because the need is so great to spread agricultural awareness, and the requests are so nu-merous for assistance, the NMF&LB has expanded its Foundation. Cur-rently, NMF&LB is in the process of creating a separate board of directors for the Foundation. The goal is to bring together individuals who under-stand the Foundation and NMAITC’s mission and goals, who are experts in different areas of the ag industry and are passionate about educating individuals on agriculture. Using the board members’ expertise, NMAITC will benefit from using their combined knowledge for program materials, resources and classroom presentations.

Through a selection process, indi-viduals will be chosen to be on the board, serving as ambassadors in the community, increasing NMAITC’s presence and creating additional fund-ing venues. They will also participate in meetings and provide valuable input during the decision-making process and review important financial infor-mation, overseeing that the organiza-tion is fully funded.

Funding for the organization is crucial, allowing NMAITC to con-duct more teacher trainings, provide financial support to teachers wanting to attend the National AITC Confer-ences, and purchase more resources to share with educators across the state. If you are interested in supporting this worthwhile cause, checks can be made to NMAITC and sent to 2220 N. Telshor, Las Cruces, NM 88011.

Bringing the Heatto Washington

If this August felt hotter than in years past, it was likely more than the weather you were experiencing. Farmers and ranchers, who are hot under the col-lar about congressional inaction, have been turning up the heat during Farm Bureau’s “Bring the Heat” August recess grassroots campaign.

From Yakima, Wash., to Tallahassee, Fla., Farm Bureau members have been telling Congress to pass the farm bill, fix ag labor and pass the waterways bill. Through town hall meetings, congres-sional district office visits, traditional and social media, emails, phone calls, postcards and even specially made fans with personalized messages, Farm Bu-reau members across the country have brought the heat to Congress.

Fanning the Flame

Just because August recess is complete and members of Congress are back in Washington, it doesn’t mean we should stop bringing the heat on our priority issues. To the contrary, Farm Bureau members should build on our momen-tum and continue fanning the flame now that Congress is back in session and members are getting down to work.

As we near the final push, we should all be in contact with our congressional representatives letting them know that just because summer is over it doesn’t mean the heat has let up. Relying on Farm Bureau determination and perse-verance, which has sustained us for 94 years, it’s time to roll up our shirt sleeves and get the job done.

Farm Bureau members have always played an instrumental role in legisla-tive efforts that have helped shape U.S.

Save the Date!New Mexico

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agriculture. With significant issues like the farm bill, ag labor and waterways transportation on the line, this time should be no different.

Fired Up!

As Farm Bureau members, it is in-grained in us to be actively involved and to fight for what we believe in and what we think will better our profession and our country. We are not ones to rest on our laurels while others do the work. We are also not the types to make a lot of noise about an issue and stop there.

Farmers and ranchers have a lot at stake this congressional session, so we must see our grassroots efforts through to fruition. We have to pass the farm bill. We must fix ag labor. And we have to buildup our nation’s waterways infra-structure. The groundwork has been laid on all of these issues. We just need Congress to act.

It’s up to us to tell Congress to stop putting politics ahead of progress. We al-ready lit the fire under lawmakers during August recess. Now, let’s bring that heat to Washington this September.

H234-NM (7-13)

Farm Bureau agents have the answers.

We’re here to help you understand all of your options, and the differences between them – so you can feel confident in choosing the right health insurance plan for your family. Contact someone who knows health insurance – your local Farm Bureau agent.

Questions about health insurance?

Staff Directory Matt Rush [email protected]

Theresa Widner [email protected]

Carmen Macias [email protected]

Dalene Hodnett [email protected] Joel Alderete [email protected] Dennis Garcia [email protected] Chad Smith [email protected] Benjie Segovia [email protected] Traci Curry [email protected]

Traci van der Ploeg [email protected]


County Fairs ContinuedJim Ellett, Otero County FB President and NMF&LB State Board member, leads their county fair float. Photo courtesy of Benjie Segovia. Below left: Roosevelt County FB’s booth distributed free water while promoting membership. Below right: This the the 20th year that Lea County has hosted a Mini-Farm where fair go-ers can pet and feed farm live-stock. What a great opportunity to show consumers how well farmers and ranchers care for their animals. Both photos cour-tesy of Traci Curry. Bottom: Harkening back to traditional farm activities, Valen-cia County FB sponsors a hay stacking contest with three divisions; Open, Junior and Ladies. Monetary prizes are awarded with penalties assessed for lack of square-ness. The winning adult time this year was 3:01 minutes to move 40 bales from trailer to ground and back again. Photo courtesy of Janet Jarratt.


We don’t spend billions of dollars on advertising. We spend just enough to remind you we’re here. Since 1916, our resources have gone into loans, insurance and financial services to help farmers and ranchers succeed. If farming and ranching has taught us anything, it’s the importance of priorities.

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NMAITC Activitiesby Traci van der Ploeg, NMAITC Coordinator

Teachers write what agriculture means to them. Photo by Traci van der Ploeg

Get engaged, keep a positive attitude and add value - this was the message at the 2013 Southwest Regional Education Cooperative Training held in Deming in September. Traci Curry and Traci van der Ploeg were there to help middle and high school teachers do just that for their students. In a presentation titled “Have an ‘Ag’mazing Year”, teachers learned how easy and important it is to tie agriculture into the common core curriculum, using positive and engaging activities.

Teachers were taught the astonishing facts about agriculture - less than 2% of our population are farmers and ranchers - and that New Mexico is facing some serious issues as our farmers and ranchers are some of the oldest in the nation. This led to the question, “With an increasing population and less farmers to feed them, whose problem will this be?” Teachers soon realized that agriculture is crucial for their students to understand, because the students will be the problem-solvers of this issue. This younger generation will need the math, reading, science and technology education to overcome these issues. It is in the best interest for teachers, parents and the community to help students develop interest in careers associated with agriculture.

At the beginning of each workshop, teach-ers were asked to stand if they are involved in agriculture. A handful in each group stood up proudly. As the presentation concluded, the teacher had a better understanding of the vastness of agriculture and all that it entails. At the end, the group was asked once again to stand up if they’re involved in agriculture, every teacher stood up.

Using hands-on activities, visual aspects and engaging group activities, teachers learned about the importance of agriculture, and were introduced to the Ag in the Classroom program and what it has to offer teachers and students.

1st ANNUAL YF&R/COLLEGIATE FARM BUREAU

PASTURE GOLF TOURNAMENT Saturday October 5, 2013

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All teams, sponsors, and donations will help the YF&R and Collegiate Farm Bureau raise money for trips and activities!

If you are interested in participating, sponsoring, or just coming to see what all the fuss is about, contact Andy Ellett ● [email protected] or

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It’s a 9 hole Pasture Golf Tournament

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On a local farm off Snow Rd! Deadline September27, 2013


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If you’ve put off thinking about life insurance, stop for a minute to think about how much your children depend on you for food, a home, their future ... and a place to hang their art. Can you think of a better reason to contact your Farm Bureau agent today?

Protect the dreams of your future artist.

NM-FutureArtist(9-13).indd 1 8/20/13 2:01 PM


ISSN 0028-61922220 N. TELSHOR BLVD. • LAS CRUCES,

NM 88011575.532.4700 • FAX: 575.532.4710

PUBLISHER:New Mexico Farm and Livestock BureauNew Mexico Farm & Ranch is published monthly. Yearly subscription is $24.00. New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau

members receive a complimentarysubscription with yearly dues.

U.S. Postage PAID, bulk rate, PERMIT #31, Las Cruces, NM 88001. FORWARDING/RE-TURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED, ADDRESS

CORRECTION REQUESTED.

OFFICERSMichael White

President, Dexter

Craig Ogden1st Vice President, Loving

Larry Reagan2nd Vice President, Ft. Sumner

Matt RushExecutive Vice President

BOARD OF DIRECTORSDonnie Bidegain, Tucumcari

Burl Brown, Des MoinesGreg Daviet, Las Cruces

Jim Ellett, HopeDuane Frost, Claunch

Leon Hemann, McDonaldBrad Houston, Roswell

George Jackson, LordsburgJanet Jarratt, Los Lunas

Dustin Johnson, FarmingtonDeena Kinman, ElidaBoe Lopez, Springer

Donald Martinez, El RitoSteve Myrick, Clovis

Anna Sanchez-Glenn, AlbuquerqueTroy Sauble, Maxwell

Paula Sichler, San AntonioJohn Sweetser, DemingJim Taylor, AlbuquerqueTom Wilton, Ft. Sumner

John York, Mimbres

REGIONAL DIRECTORSJoel Alderete, Roswell

Dennis Garcia, Santa FeBenjie Segovia, Las CrucesChad Smith, Albuquerque

Theresa WidnerDirector of Membership Services

Carmen MaciasAdministrative Assistant

Dalene HodnettDirector of Communications

and Media Relations

Traci WilliamsDirector, Ag in the Classroom

Traci Tuttle-van der PloegCoordinator, Ag in the Classroom

Anna Sanchez-Glenn, ChairWomen’s Leadership Committee

Dustin Johnson, Chair Young Farmer & Rancher Committee

Non-profit OrganizationU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDAlbuquerque, N.M.

Permit No.42

P.O. Box 20004Las Cruces, NM 88004-9004

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

NEW MEXICO FARM & LIVESTOCK BUREAUSince 1917 . . . a Leader in New Mexico

newsletter september 2013 final4

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