As Wildfires Continue to Burn, New Maps Shows Expansion of Wildland-Urban Interface

As Wildfires Continue to Burn, New Maps Shows Expansion of Wildland-Urban Interface Growth in development raises costs and danger of fighting wildfires, highlights need for funding fix WASHINGTON, Sept. 10, 2015 – A new U.S. Forest Service report shows the continued expansion of housing development near forests, an area referred to as the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), with direct implications for the cost of wildfire fighting. Increasing densities of people and infrastructure in the WUI makes wildfire management more complex and requires more firefighting assets to ensure an appropriate, safe and effective response, which in turn drives up the cost of fighting wildfires. Expansion of the WUI has direct implications for wildfire management as more of the Forest Service's resources are spent each year to provide the firefighters, aircraft and other assets necessary to protect lives, property and natural resources in the wildland urban interface regions. In addition, overall fire seasons have grown longer, and the frequency, size and severity of wildland fires has increased. In recent decades, research has shown a steady increase in the area that is part of the WUI, as documented and visually depicted in a new publication titled, "The 2010 Wildland-Urban Interface of the Conterminous United States." The percent of homes in the WUI increased by over five percent between 2000 and 2010 (latest data available). As of 2010, the WUI of the lower 48 states includes about 44 million houses, equivalent to one in every three houses in the country, with the highest concentrations of houses in the WUI in California, Texas and Florida. The publication includes new, high-resolution maps showing housing density, land ownership, land cover and wildland vegetation cover for each state. "The expanding wildland urban interface is a critical issue for wildland firefighting and for the conservation of our forests," said Robert Bonnie. "More people, homes, and infrastructure are at risk than ever before. As the WUI grows, our fire fighters must commit greater resources to protect homes and property which dramatically increases the cost of fire suppression." The cost of wildfire suppression reached a record $243 in a one week period during the height of suppression activity in late August. In 2015, 52% of the Forest Service budget was set aside for fire suppression, up from 16% in 1995. By September 2015, the Forest Service had already exceeded the funding set aside for fire suppression and was forced to borrow funds meant for other Forest Service activities. The bipartisan Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, already introduced in the House and Senate, is an important step forward in addressing the funding problems. The proposed legislation, which mirrors a similar proposal in President Obama's Fiscal Year 2016 Budget, would provide a fiscally responsible mechanism to treat wildfires more like other natural disasters, end "fire transfers" and partially replenish the ability to restore resilient forests and protect against future fire outbreaks. While WUI expansion has increased the likelihood that wildfire will threaten structures and people and increase the number of people affected by wildfire, not all WUI acres are at high risk of wildfire or the only management concern. Increased risk of invasive species and disruption of wildlife and ecosystem processes often accompany human habitation, making the WUI maps an important guide in conservation work. To download a copy of this publication, visit the Northern Research Station's website. The mission of the Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to state and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. Public lands the Forest Service manages contribute more than $13 billion to the economy each year through visitor spending alone. Those same lands provide 20 percent of the Nation's clean water supply, a value estimated at $7.2 billion per year. The agency has either a direct or indirect role in stewardship of about 80 percent of the 850 million forested acres within the U.S., of which 100 million acres are urban forests where most Americans live. #

Duff to lead NMSU’s animal and range sciences department

Duff to lead NMSU’s animal and range sciences department DATE: 09/10/2015 WRITER: Kristie Garcia, kmgarcia@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Glenn Duff, 575-646-2515, glennd@nmsu.edu New Mexico State University alumnus Glenn Duff was named department head of animal and range sciences in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. “It’s really an honor to be able to serve in this capacity at my alma mater,” Duff said. “I’ve come full circle, having received my doctorate here, then serving as a faculty member and now the department head.” In addition to earning a doctorate in animal nutrition from NMSU, he served as assistant professor and superintendent at NMSU’s Clayton Livestock Research Center from 1994 to 2001. His career also includes stints at the University of Arkansas, University of Arizona and Montana State University. Duff is enjoying the various aspects of his new position in the department. “I’m able to work with the faculty by being a liaison between faculty members and the dean’s office,” he said. “I not only have the opportunity to establish relationships with the students, but I’m also able to get to know the public and work with many different programs within the department.” Jim Libbin, interim dean for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, said Duff was the perfect candidate. “Because he completed his Ph.D. work at NMSU and was part of our faculty at Clayton for quite some time, Glenn has a huge knowledge of our program,” Libbin said. “He knows what we need to be doing to succeed in the future, and he’s also very knowledgeable about western livestock production.” “We were familiar with his reputation and character,” Libbin added. “We were lucky to attract him to the department head position.” Originally from Exira, Iowa, Duff earned a bachelor’s degree in animal and dairy science from Northwest Missouri State University and a master’s degree in animal reproductive physiology from the University of Arkansas. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews

USDA Awards $8 Million to Support Healthier Foods in Schools and Child Care Centers

USDA Awards $8 Million to Support Healthier Foods in Schools and Child Care Centers WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2015 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be awarding over $8 million in grants to help school nutrition professionals better prepare healthy meals for their students. Approximately $2.6 million dollars in grants will support implementation of new national professional standards for all school nutrition employees who manage and operate the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, and $5.6 million will go to help states expand and enhance food service training programs and provide nutrition education in school, child care, and summer meal settings. "For the past three years, kids have eaten healthier breakfasts, lunches and snacks at school thanks to the bipartisan Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which made the first meaningful improvements to the nutrition of foods and beverages served in cafeterias and sold in vending machines in 30 years. Nearly all schools are successfully meeting the standards, and these grants part of our ongoing commitment to give states and schools the additional resources they need," said Vilsack. "Parents, teachers, principals, and school nutrition professionals want the best for their children. Together we can make sure we're giving our kids the healthy start in life they deserve." The grants announced today add to the large number of resources that USDA provides to help schools serve healthier food options that meet updated nutrition standards, including technical assistance, educational materials, and additional reimbursements. More than 95 percent of schools report that they are successfully meeting those nutrition standards, which were based on recommendations from pediatricians and other child health experts at the Institute of Medicine. In February, USDA announced national professional standards for school nutrition employees that went into effect on July 1, 2015. These standards, which vary according to position and job requirements, ensure that school nutrition professionals have the training and skills they need to plan, prepare, purchase, and promote healthy meals. In addition to several built-in flexibilities intended to facilitate the first year of implementation and address the challenges faced by smaller school districts, USDA is providing a total of $2.6 million to 19 state agencies to develop and enhance existing trainings within their state that will allow school nutrition professionals to meet these standards. The Professional Standards Training Grants promote training in nutrition; operations; administration; and communications and marketing. In addition, 19 states received a 2015 Team Nutrition Training Grant of up to $350,000 – $5.6 million in total – to support trainings that focus on encouraging healthy eating. Those efforts could include: • using Smarter Lunchrooms strategies that use principles from behavioral economics to encourage healthy choices, • meeting meal pattern requirements for school meals, • delivering interactive nutrition education activities, and • providing schools and child care providers with technical assistance to create and maintain a healthier environment. Grants activities must be sustainable and achieve measurable outcomes. For example, the Oregon Department of Education will use the grant funds to hold 10 Smarter Lunchroom workshops on strategies for arranging the lunchroom that promote healthy choices. As a result, at least 120 school food authorities and child nutrition program sponsors will receive training and follow-up assistance. A summary of previous years' grant activities by state can be found at the Team Nutrition Training Grants website. The Team Nutrition Training Grants are awarded as part of USDA's Team Nutrition initiative, which provides resources, training, and nutrition education lessons for schools and child care providers. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Team Nutrition initiative. In that time, Team Nutrition has provided nearly $90 million in grant funds to state agencies that implement USDA Child Nutrition Programs. USDA's Food and Nutrition Service administers America's nutrition assistance programs including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Together these programs make up the federal nutrition safety net. #

Deadline to Enroll in Key Farm Bill Safety Net Programs Approaches

Deadline to Enroll in Key Farm Bill Safety Net Programs Approaches 09/03/2015 01:00 PM EDT Deadline to Enroll in Key Farm Bill Safety Net Programs Approaches Producers have Until Sept. 30 to Sign Up for ARC/PLC and MPP-Dairy WASHINGTON, Sept. 3, 2015 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini reminds farmers and ranchers that they have until Sept. 30 to enroll in several key Farm Bill safety net programs – Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy). “These programs provide important risk protection for farm and dairy operations, so it is important not to miss the deadline for enrollment,” said Dolcini. “Producers already have elected ARC or PLC, so now is the time to sign the contract and enroll for the 2014 and 2015 crop years. I also remind dairy operations to enroll for coverage in 2016. Just $100 covers 90 percent of milk production at a $4 margin, and with incremental premiums, up to an $8 margin can be covered.” ARC and PLC programs trigger financial protections for agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues. More than 1.76 million farmers and ranchers are expected to sign contracts to enroll in ARC or PLC. Covered commodities under the programs include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity. The elections for each farm stay in place through 2018, but ownership and shares can be adjusted through the annual enrollment. For additional program information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc. MPP-Dairy offers protection to producers when the difference between the milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. Participating dairy farmers will remain in the program through 2018 and pay a $100 administrative fee each year. Producers also have the option of selecting a different coverage level during open enrollment each year. MPP-Dairy payments are based on an operation’s historical production, which will increase by 2.61 percent in 2016, if the operation participated in 2015, providing a stronger safety net. More than half of the nation’s dairy producers are enrolled in the program. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy. For more program information, contact your FSA office or visit www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy. To find your local FSA office, visit http://offices.usda.gov. These risk management programs were authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic investments made in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has progressively implemented each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

New Mexico and Arizona Business Coalition Sues To Challenge EPA Rule Defining Waters Of The U.S. By NMACI

New Mexico and Arizona Business Coalition Sues To Challenge EPA Rule Defining Waters Of The U.S. By NMACI • 2 HOURS AGO The New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry, New Mexico Mining Association, New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, Arizona Mining Association (AMA), Arizona Farm Bureau, Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Arizona Rock Products Association has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona challenging the U.S. EPA’s new rule dramatically expanding the scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. “ACI has been submitting comments and sharing our concerns with the EPA over this issue for months,” said ACI President Jason Espinoza. “This misguided rule places farmers, ranchers, miners and other businesses under burdensome regulations that were never meant to apply to them. The result will be countless lost jobs and further hardship for struggling New Mexico families. ACI is proud to take a stand to protect New Mexicans from this reckless overreach.” "New Mexico farmers and ranchers are already struggling with the effects of a five year drought, a tough economy, and countless other challenges," said New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau CEO Chad Smith. "It defies common sense that the EPA now wants to pile on more regulations under a law intended for navigable waters. The massive costs this new rule will impose on the hardworking families who provide our food are simply unacceptable." “In essence, the EPA’s new rule is based on the concept that it can regulate drought-stricken, arid desert as ‘waters of the United States,’” said Mike Bowen, Executive Director of the New Mexico Mining Association. “We’re talking about places where water hasn’t run for years, decades, or even centuries, and then placing the businesses in those areas under restrictive new regulations.” The focus of this lawsuit will be the new rule’s definition of ‘tributary,’ which expands ‘waters’ jurisdiction based on the presence of certain topographical features that are ubiquitous in the arid southwest, even in areas where it has been decades or centuries since any water has actually flowed on the ground. Even, under the new rule, an agency official in Washington, DC, can deem an expanse of desert to be a ‘water of the United States’ even if relevant topographical features do not actually exist. This broad coalition of affected southwest business groups has come together to ensure that issues important to the arid west are front and center in efforts to rein in EPA’s dramatic overreach, and to protect southwestern businesses and landowners from unreasonable new regulatory burdens. The filing is available here. ACI is New Mexico’s statewide business advocate, representing hundreds of businesses and more than 50,000 employees from all industry sectors and regions of New Mexico. The organization develops positions through member-led committees, and advocates for pro-business, pro-growth policies for a stronger economy and better opportunities for New Mexicans.

Guide E-320: Freezing Vegetables

The following CES publication has been revised and is now available online in PDF format. Guide E-320: Freezing Vegetables Revised by Nancy C. Flores (Extension Food Technology Specialist) and Cindy Schlenker Davies (County Program Director/Extension Home Economist, Bernalillo County) http://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_e/E320.pdf

Livestock Indemnity Program Benefits Available to New Mexico Producers

Livestock Indemnity Program Benefits Available to New Mexico Producers (Albuquerque, N.M.), August 31, 2015 – New Mexico USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Molly Manzanares reminds producers who suffered qualifying livestock losses due to attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by the federal government that they could be eligible for the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP)–this includes losses from wolves and avian predators. LIP also covers livestock death losses caused by adverse weather conditions. "LIP, along with other livestock disaster assistance programs, was restored by the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill which provides livestock producers with a vital safety net to assist in recovery from the economic impact of livestock losses," said Manzanares. LIP compensates livestock owners and contract growers for attacks by animals reintroduced into the wild by the federal government or protected by federal law, including wolves and avian predators. LIP benefits are also available for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality due to an eligible adverse weather event, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, blizzards, disease, wildfires, extreme heat and extreme cold. “A notice of loss must be filed with FSA within 30 days of when the loss of livestock is apparent," said Manzanares. "Livestock that die within 60 days of the date of the qualifying event will be considered eligible for loss benefits.” The LIP national payment rate for eligible livestock owners is based on 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock. According to Manzanares, producers should contact their local County FSA Office to schedule an appointment to submit a notice of loss and application for payment. Producers are encouraged to bring supporting evidence, including documentation of the number and kind of livestock that died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records to document the loss, purchase records, veterinarian records, production records and other similar documents. For more information on LIP, please contact your local County FSA Office or visit FSA online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/nm.