New Mexico food, ag companies invited to free exporting workshop

New Mexico food, ag companies invited to free exporting workshop NMDA, regional trade group to co-host Dec. 1 event in Las Cruces (LAS CRUCES, N.M.) – Food and agriculture companies of all sizes from across New Mexico are invited to attend a free, daylong workshop to learn how to build their business by exporting. The “Explore Exporting” workshop happens Tuesday, December 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Las Cruces. Those interested in attending must register at http://bit.ly/1LLwubZ on or before Friday, November 27. Location details will be provided upon registration. The event is co-hosted by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA). WUSATA is a non-profit trade association that offers training, matching funds, market research, and more to help food and agricultural companies in New Mexico and 12 other western states export their products. WUSATA administers funding provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Market Access Program (MAP). "Every food and agricultural business owner in New Mexico who wants to grow their business should at least think about exporting," said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. "The state’s pecan and dairy producers have seen tremendous success in foreign markets – but so have local producers of beans, onions, manufactured food products, and more. There’s room for everybody at the table." “Nearly 95 percent of the world’s customers live outside the U.S.,” WUSATA Deputy Director Janet Kenefsky said. “The recent signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement will unlock new opportunities for Western U.S. agribusinesses to develop new markets and expand their current global footprint as a result of tariff eliminations in TPP countries.” The workshop will cover: • global consumption trends • the basics of shipping logistics • the steps food and agricultural companies should take to expand internationally • an overview of available state and federal resources During the final two hours of the workshop, WUSATA officials will meet one-on-one with companies to answer questions and offer individualized company consultations. These meetings are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For questions or more information, please contact NMDA international marketing specialist Jason New at jnew@nmda.nmsu.edu or 575-646-4929. For more information about NMDA’s marketing programs to help New Mexico’s food and agricultural producers, please visit www.nmda.nmsu.edu/marketing. For more information about WUSATA, please visit www.wusata.org. ### Confidentiality Notice: New Mexico has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state employees are public records. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. This e-mail, including all attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipients. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited unless specifically provided under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act. Confidentiality Notice: New Mexico has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state employees are public records. Your e-mail communications may therefore be subject to public disclosure. This e-mail, including all attachments is for the sole use of the intended recipients. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited unless specifically provided under the New Mexico Inspection of Public Records Act.