NMDA to host Battle of the Salsas at 2019 New Mexico State Fair

NMDA to host Battle of the Salsas at 2019 New Mexico State Fair

Fairgoers have opportunity to judge over 30 locally-made salsas

(Albuquerque, NM) – Do you have what it takes to judge the best salsas in New Mexico? Whether you’re a salsa connoisseur or simply a fan of New Mexico-made food, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture invites you to participate in this year’s Battle of the Salsas at the New Mexico State Fair.

NMDA will host the Battle of the Salsas from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7 in the Agriculture Building courtyard. All New-Mexico-made, commercially-produced and shelf-stable salsas that are already available for sale at the New Mexico Country Store are eligible for entry.

Fairgoers have the chance to select their favorite salsa from over 30 samples of New Mexico’s best. Participants will receive a bag of New Mexico-made tortilla chips and a ballot to vote. After the votes are counted, the top three crowd favorites will be announced.

New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte encourages everyone to attend the Battle of the Salsas, put their taste buds to the test, and see how their picks compared with the overall voting results.

“The best part is that by purchasing this year’s winning salsas at the Country Store, you’ll also be participating in the 2019 Elevate New Mexico Agriculture $5 at a Time challenge, supporting New Mexico’s economy and agriculture industry,” said Witte. “But you’ll need to get there early, because we sell out fast!”

For more information about Battle of the Salsas, visit www.newmexicotradition.com. Follow New Mexico – Taste the Tradition on Facebook and Twitter @tastenewmexico and on Instagram @tastethetradition for New Mexico-inspired gift ideas and recipes and to enter contests and giveaways.

For more information about NMDA, visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu. Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter @NMDeptAg.

– NMDA –

NMSU Regents approve NMDA’s proposed hemp manufacturing rule

NMSU Regents approve NMDA’s proposed hemp manufacturing rule

(Las Cruces, New Mexico) – The New Mexico State University Board of Regents approved the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s proposed hemp manufacturing rule at its regular meeting Sept. 4.

The rule accompanies statutory language that provides NMDA specific administrative authorities related to the licensing and inspection of laboratories testing raw hemp for regulatory purposes, as well as the licensing and inspection of persons breeding hemp that may possess plants greater than .3% and less than 5% THC.  

Legal authority authorizing the rule is granted to the board of regents of New Mexico State University under Chapter 76, Article 24, Section 1, NMSA 1978 Compilation.

NMDA held two rulemaking hearings for the public in Albuquerque and Las Cruces in June.

During the 2019 legislative session, House Bill 581 Hemp Manufacturing Act was passed and signed into law. The legislation grants NMDA and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) the regulatory authority over manufacturers, processors, labs, researchers and plant breeders.

The 2018 farm bill removed hemp from the federal controlled substances act and provided a framework for the growing of hemp. NMDA is currently licensing hemp producers. Applications for hemp cultivation licenses are available at www.nmda.nmsu.edu.

NMDA and NMED have worked closely with producers and processors who are seeking security in the development of the extracting, processing and manufacturing components of this new industry.

The Hemp Manufacturing Act may be viewed in its entirety at https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/19%20Regular/final/HB0581.pdf.

The full text of the hemp manufacturing rule is available at www.nmda.nmsu.edu and at NMDA, which is located at 3190 S. Espina in Las Cruces.

Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NMDeptAg and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @NMDeptAg.

– NMDA –

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to address nation’s leading agricultural officials

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to address nation’s leading agricultural officials

WHO: The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture welcomes U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue to deliver the opening keynote address for NASDA’s 2019 Annual Meeting. Along with the nation’s secretaries, commissioners and directors of agriculture, federal agency staff and agriculture and food industry leaders will also be in attendance.

WHEN: Monday, September 9

8:15-9am (MDT)

WHERE: Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town

800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico

               Alvarado Ballroom DE

HOW: Registration is free for all members of the press. Please RSVP by Friday, September 6 to attend. After Secretary Perdue’s remarks, he will host a media availability with NASDA President and New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte, and NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn in the Fireplace Room of the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town.

WHAT: The 2019 NASDA Annual Meeting is themed “Experience the AgriCULTURE, Explore the AgriFUTURE.” The meeting theme will guide NASDA’s conversations and policy making on emerging agricultural and food issues such as hemp, climate, conservation financing, international trade and more. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to keep up with the entire conference, and use our hashtag #AgriCULTUREAgriFUTURE.

NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. Established in 1916, NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government, and stakeholders.

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