New Mexico Ag Leadership program members to attend mission in Netherlands

New Mexico Ag Leadership program members to attend mission in Netherlands (LAS CRUCES, N.M.) - The New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the New Mexico Agriculture Leadership program are hosting a joint innovation and trade mission to the Netherlands in May. The New Mexico Agriculture Innovation and International Trade Mission is May 5 to 13. Seven leadership class members will join NMDA officials on a trip to the Netherlands for educational tours of production and processing operations, meetings with key government officials within the industry and appointments with importers, buyers and distributors. NMDA hopes that this innovation and trade mission will help attendees recognize the potential for prime international markets and gain exposure to new and innovative agricultural production, processing and marketing techniques. “Agriculture in New Mexico has innovative operators and a desire to adopt new technologies while respecting our customs, culture and traditions,” said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. “The mission to the Netherlands is intended to showcase operations and adaptable technologies that can be incorporated into our state’s agriculture. The Netherlands is the world’s second largest exporter of agriculture products behind the United States on only a fraction of the land base.” The class members that will be traveling with NMDA include: • Katie Kruthaupt, NMDA Soil and Water Conservation District Specialist • Beverly Idsinga, Dairy Producers of New Mexico Executive Director • Shannon Berry, Ag New Mexico Farm Credit Senior Relations Manager • Eric Nez, Navajo Agricultural Products Industry Bean Crop Manager • Jeff Anderson, Dona Ana County Agronomy & Horticulture Cooperative Extension Agent • Jeff Mayberry, farmer in Artesia, New Mexico • Cheri Lujan, East Torrance Soil and Water Conservation District Manager New Mexico Agricultural Leadership is a practical, seminar-based leadership experience for growing professionals. Its mission is to develop knowledgeable, multicultural leaders for New Mexico’s agricultural, food and natural resource industries. This innovation and trade mission serves as the international experience for the current leadership class. Members also participate in six in-state seminars and a trip to Washington, D.C. The seminars include cultural issues in Northwestern New Mexico and state political processes in Santa Fe. For more information about the New Mexico Agricultural Leadership program, visit http://aces.nmsu.edu/nmal/ and you can follow along on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook (@NMagleadership) during the trip.