Resiliency in New Mexico Food and Agriculture

New Mexico State University and New Mexico First are joining forces to help develop a strategic plan to maintain a resilient New Mexico food and agricultural system.

The first in a series of Resilience in New Mexico Agriculture regional meetings will be in Roswell from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Roswell Convention & Civic Center, 912 N. Main St. Lunch will be served at each meeting.

Ten additional regional meetings will be held around the state between December 2015 and March 2016.

“It takes a diverse network of farmers, ranchers, processors, distributors and market organizers to make a difference in the future of agriculture,” said Michael Patrick, NMSU’s Extension specialist and Arrowhead Center economic development coordinator. “We’re encouraging anyone interested in this strategic plan to join us to discuss their best ideas for ensuring a robust food and agriculture system in New Mexico.”

The information will be compiled into a background report on the state of agriculture in New Mexico, which will be used by a task force to develop the Resilience in New Mexico Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan.

“The plan will foster a food and agricultural system capable of withstanding new challenges,” Patrick said, “while advancing a strong and growing export-oriented commodity agriculture sector and a robust local food system of small- to medium-sized family farms and ranches producing locally grown food to meet the growing consumer demand in the state for local food.”

The project will result in the formation of multi-stakeholder groups who are committed to implementing the plan in order to ensure the resiliency of the food and agriculture system in New Mexico.

There is no registration fee for the meeting, but space is limited and reservations are required. To register and learn more, visit nmfirst.org/events/resilience-in-new-mexico-agriculture. For additional information, call 505-225-2140 or email info@nmfirst.org.