FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Marisa Maez, Communications Director
State of New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Marisa.Maez@state.nm.us
505-469-8243
June 3, 2022
Agriculture, natural resources fire assistance open house set for June 9 in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS – An open house for the agricultural community affected by the wildfires will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 9 at the San Miguel County Chambers, 500 W. National Avenue in Las Vegas.
The goals of the open house are to:
- Promptly detect and identify threats to New Mexico agriculture and food systems.
- Identify and provide resources for agriculture and food protection.
- Assist in the recovery of impacted systems to mitigate economic impacts to communities.
“Leaders in the agriculture community are holding this open house to offer guidance and resources regarding agriculture and natural resources to communities impacted by the wildfires in our state,” said New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte. “We know that the way of life for many ranchers and farmers in the Las Vegas area has been impacted, and the state and its partners are committed to helping this community recover.”
Representatives will be available to answer questions and address concerns about agriculture and natural resources impacted by the fire, including:
- Agriculture disaster assistance programs.
- Livestock and natural resource programs.
- Soil health and watershed management.
- Agriculture producer mental health needs.
- Water quality/wells.
- Livestock inspections and movement.
- Lost or estray livestock
- Livestock grazing alternatives.
Representatives from the following entities will be in attendance:
- New Mexico Department of Agriculture.
- New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.
- New Mexico Livestock Board.
- United States Department of Agriculture – Farm Service Agency (FSA).
- United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
- United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development (RD).
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
For more information, email pio@nmda.nmsu.edu.
###