The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Farmer Veteran Coalition will launch a new joint program at the New Mexico State Fair

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the Farmer Veteran Coalition will launch a new joint program at the New Mexico State Fair, Sept. 7. NMDA has partnered with the Farmer Veteran Coalition to develop a logo that will help New Mexico veteran farmers to differentiate their products in the marketplace. The nationally known Homegrown by Heroes logo has been combined with the NMDA’s NEW MEXICO - Grown with Tradition® logo. “Our veterans have ensured that we have our freedom, and the Farmer Veteran Coalition is helping to ensure our food security,” Jeff Witte, New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture, said. “NMDA is proud to work with this outstanding organization and their hero members,” he added. The launch will begin at 4 p.m. with the unveiling of the logo at the Agriculture Building west of the Manuel Lujan Commercial Building. There will be samples of produce grown by local veterans from Not Forgotten Outreach, Inc. of Taos, which will be the first group to use the new logo. Live entertainment will also be presented in the courtyard. The partnership with the Farmer Veteran Coalition will help expand the program’s reach to other veterans and veteran programs within New Mexico. The Farmer Veteran Coalition provides a wide variety of services to assist veterans in making a successful transition into an agricultural career. Not Forgotten Outreach provides veterans with opportunities to improve relationships, build comradeship while they enhance “mindfulness” and personal well-being. As the first organization to put the logo to use, their hope is that local restaurants, retailers and consumers will be more apt to support our local veterans. “Veterans have dedicated their lives to serving their nation and after military service, farming becomes a natural transition due to the fact that they are now feeding the country with healthy locally grown food,” Director of Not Forgotten Outreach, Don Peters said. “The fact that the State of New Mexico is adopting the ‘Home Grown by Heroes’ logo indicates to the military families that they are supported by the state after military service.” B-roll captured at the Not Forgotten Outreach Farm, as well as the locations of the billboards bearing the combined logo, will be available to the media at the event. Local veterans involved in the agriculture industry interested in using this logo may contact the NMDA Marketing Department at tastethetradition@nmda.nmsu.edu for further information