Secretary Perdue announces new OneUSDA Internship Program

Secretary Perdue announces new OneUSDA Internship Program

(Washington, D.C., December 4, 2018) Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the “OneUSDA Internship” opportunity for Summer 2019. As part of the Federal Pathways Program, the OneUSDA Internship will provide students a way to explore serving their country through a career in government while gaining work experience in agriculture, natural resources, rural development, and other career fields.

“The improvements we’re making to internships at USDA will enable us to recruit the best and retain the best,” said Secretary Perdue. “Today’s young people are the future of America and there are few things more American than agriculture. We’re aiming to find young talent, with a diverse background, across all 50 states, to begin their careers as an intern with USDA.”

The OneUSDA Internship Program offers Federal opportunities to students currently enrolled in qualifying educational programs or institutions, with a comprehensive developmental program intended to provide students with experience in a dynamic work environment that will enhance their educational goals and shape their career choices. An internship with USDA will involve various components of on-the-job experience, mentorship, and training tailored to the student’s education, experience, and interests.

During 2018, USDA was proud to host more than 3,000 interns throughout the country, about half of which were through the Federal Pathways Program.  In the Summer of 2019, USDA will hire Pathways Interns in hundreds of locations across every state in the country for the following occupational fields:

• Veterinary Science
• Biological Sciences (e.g., natural resources management forestry, wildlife biology, fish biology, ecology, botany, rangeland management, recreation)
• Engineering
• Agribusiness, Contracting, Procurement, and Industry
• General Administration and Office Support

USDA is making sure the Summer 2019 OneUSDA internship job announcement is easier-than-ever for college students to find and apply for.  After choosing the geographic region of preference and the career path that best matches with students’ area of study and professional aspirations at http://www.usda.gov/Internships, students simply follow the weblinks to https://www.usajobs.gov/ to set up an account, then follow the prompts to apply to the internship.

When applying, applicants will also have an opportunity to indicate their preferred area of interest and USDA Agency or office.  USDA will start reviewing applications on December 9, and the application window will close on January 18, 2019.

WHAT IS NEW MEXICO FENCE LAW?

WHAT IS NEW MEXICO FENCE LAW?

Every year I will receive a phone call or two asking about what the law is in New Mexico on livestock and fencing.  Chapter 77 article 16 defines what a legal NM fence is.   So if you are building a fence to control livestock it should be built to these specifications.  You may want to consult with an attorney as to what the liabilities are for constructing a fence that is not a “legal NM fence”.

Every state has a “fence law”.  Most eastern states require livestock owner to fence livestock in by common law, while most western states are “Open Range law”.   As urban areas expand, and traditionally rural areas of New Mexico begin to see growing populations and housing developments, conflicts between new and existing residents seem inevitable. Fencing and livestock trespass are at the root of many of these problems, but the responsibilities of all parties are clearly defined in New Mexico’s fence-out law.  “The roots of the fence-out law in New Mexico and other western states go back to the settlement of the West,” according to Andrea Buzzard of the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office. “New Mexico’s fence-out law is a common feature of several Western states, and has been described by New Mexico’s courts as “the common law of the west.”  “The common law of England imposed a duty on the owner of livestock to fence cattle in, and no duty was placed on the adjoining landowner to fence them out. But from the period when Western grazing lands first passed into private ownership, Western cattle states generally rejected the common law, holding that livestock roaming at large committed no trespass when they strayed on unenclosed land. This is commonly referred to as open range state.  “By law, New Mexico is and always has been a fence-out state,” said Myles Culbertson, Former Director of the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB). “A property owner has a responsibility to himself to protect his own property by fencing out whatever may damage or trespass on property.” The current law, which has not changed much over the years, still serves the industry well. “It’s not unreasonable for a property owner to be expected to fence and protect his own property rather than expecting someone else to do it for him,” Culbertson noted. “There is no reason the law is not still sufficient.”

Fencing responsibilities may not always lie with individual landowners. In most cases, fencing is required for state roads and highways, and communities and municipalities have some responsibility, as well.  In general when you are off a state or federal highway, and out of town you are on a county road, BLM, forest service, or private road,  you should assume that there are fee roaming livestock and pay due diligent not to hit them.  A survey conducted in 2014 in Eddy County indicated that   Eddy Cattle small business in the Livestock business lost over one million dollars in inventory (cow, calves, bulls, horses, sheep) due to interactions with motor vehicles, most were never reported to the Sheriff’s office, NM Livestock Board, or the owner of the livestock which is also a violation of New Mexico law.   As back road traffic has increased this problem has also increased, and NMSU Eddy County office will be conducting another survey soon.   This can be a significant economic impact on that small business.  Often the animal is only wounded and suffers for hours or days before dying or being found and humanly euthanized.  To me that is just animal cruelty, and wrong.  In a discussion with one person who called my office after hitting livestock, I asked what if that animal had been a person walking or on a bike, or it could have been wildlife like a deer or elk.  

In many cases, the problem is not the lack of a fence, but fences being cut and/or gates being left open by someone other than the rancher.  Both of these are against New Mexico law as well. “The larger problem we face is the lack of respect of property. People just don’t understand the importance of a fence, and how it benefits everyone,” Mr. Culbertson said.  “It is also important for the public to also understand the economic importance of livestock to their owners, and the local economy. Livestock owners don’t want their livestock out running on the golf course, or in someone’s yard, they want them at home.”

Adopted from a NMLB Press release, for more about the New Mexico law can be found at: NEW MEXICO STATUTES ANNOTATED CHAPTERS 30, 66, and 77. CRIMINAL OFFENSES and the New Mexico Livestock Board web site: http://www.nmlbonline.com .  Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator.  All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.  New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating.

Secretary Perdue Names NRCS Chief

Press Release

Secretary Perdue Names NRCS Chief

WASHINGTON, December 3, 2018 – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Matthew J. “Matt” Lohr to serve as Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In his role, Lohr will provide leadership for NRCS and its mission to support America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in their voluntary conservation efforts through a network of over 3,000 offices in communities nationwide.

“Matt has committed his entire life to the betterment of agriculture,” Perdue said. “The knowledge and experience he brings to the table will help ensure our locally-led, science-based approach continues to offer farmers the conservation solutions needed to enhance their environment and commercial viability.”

Lohr, raised on a century farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, now owns and operates Valley Pike Farm, Inc., with his wife Beth and their six children. Prior to his appointment by the Trump Administration, Lohr held public office, serving in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2006-2010. In 2008, Lohr was awarded Legislator of the Year in honor of his work as an ambassador for economic and community development in Virginia. He then served as Virginia’s Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services from 2010 to 2013. More recently, Lohr worked as Knowledge Center Director for Farm Credit of the Virginias, a customer-owned financial cooperative that provides resources and education outreach to local farmers and the community. Since June 2017, he has been farming full-time on the family operation, which includes poultry, beef cattle, row crops, and sweet corn.

“I am honored and humbled to serve America’s agricultural industry in this new capacity,” Lohr said. “As a 5th generation farmer, I care deeply about conserving and protecting our most valuable agricultural resources. I look forward to the chance to lead this valuable agency and assist our producers nationwide with their conservation practices.”

NRCS, through voluntary natural resource conservation programs, works side-by-side with producers, local conservation districts, and other partners to protect and conserve natural resources and build sustainable farming solutions through soil conservation on private lands throughout the United States. For more information on NRCS, visit www.nrcs.usda.gov.