Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture

Editors note: It is not to late you can just show up on Wednesday and register on site. However you should call NM first so they can adjust the head count for lunch. I know the timing is hard but I think this meeting will be worth while but it hinges on REAL agriculture producers attending. Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture The New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service and New Mexico First will hold a series of regional meetings designed to bring together a diverse group of agriculture stakeholders to identify industry trends, challenges, and solutions. Why? A resilient New Mexico food and agriculture system capable of withstanding new challenges and advancing to new successes will require both a strong export-oriented commodity agriculture sector and a robust local food system of small and medium-sized family farms and ranches. These meetings will kick off a series of events that will lead to a statewide resiliency plan that will: • Create common ground regarding food and agriculture policies • Generate ideas for more economic value for producers and economic vitality for communities • Develop strategies to support young people who want to stay with or get back into agriculture • Address water, land-use, climate and economic challenges facing the agricultural industry • Support agriculture’s contributions to health-related solutions for consumers and communities • Contribute to worker, consumer, and community welfare Who should attend? • Farmers and ranchers • Commercial producers & marketers (e.g., process, store, distribute or market agricultural products) • Educators & researchers • Government employees (e.g., extension agent, water and environmental policy, food safety, etc.) • Financial lenders & grant makers (e.g., banker or philanthropist) • Advocates • Policymakers • Consumers A local regional meeting will be held at the following: Roswell December 2, 2015 Check-in: 9AM Meeting: 9:30AM-12PM Lunch: 12PM Roswell Convention & Civic Center 912 N. Main St. Roswell, NM Agenda: Welcome Meeting Overview Table Group Discussions: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions Full Group Review: Prioritize Solutions Closing Lunch will be served To Register: There is no registration fee, but space is limited and food needs to be ordered, so reserve your seat now! Please go to the following link to register for the event: http://chaves-extension.nmsu.edu/ Confirmation/Cancellation Registrants will receive confirmation materials by email. Space is limited at each meeting, therefore if you find you cannot attend, please send someone in your place, or let us know so we can give your seat to someone on the waiting list (New Mexico First - 505-225-2140). For Additional Information Please contact: Sandra Barraza at the Chaves County Extension Office in Roswell at 575-622-3210 or New Mexico First in Albuquerque at 505-225-2140 or your Local County Agent.