FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NMDA Contact: Jenny Green
Communications Specialist, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
jgreen@nmda.nmsu.edu
Office: 575-646-3060
Cell: 575-202-4249
Sept. 6, 2024
AgriFuture event comes to Las Cruces in October
One-and-a-half-day conference promotes future of agriculture industry in New Mexico
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The AgriFuture Educational Institute will be held in Las Cruces this fall. The one-and-a-half-day conference will take place Monday, Oct. 14 and Tuesday, Oct. 15, featuring agricultural site visits around the Mesilla Valley, as well as panel discussions and networking opportunities at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. The registration deadline for the event is Friday, Oct. 4.
The registration fee for both “Future Ag Producers” and “Current Ag Producers/Mentors” is $25 and does not include a hotel stay. For registration details and hotel recommendations, visit the AgriFuture page on the New Mexico Department of Agriculture website.
AgriFuture is a collaborative event hosted by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and a dozen other organizations and agricultural agencies that gives those interested in being a part of the future of agriculture a chance to connect with and learn from current New Mexico agricultural producers. Typically hosted in even-numbered years, the 2022 event was held at the Embassy Suites in Albuquerque.
New Mexico State University students and NMDA student aides Grady Hodnett and Micah Lightfoot look forward to attending the AgriFuture event as “Future Ag Producers.”
“Growing up in agriculture, I have always known that I wanted to pursue a career in it and be involved with it on a day-to-day basis,” said Hodnett. “The AgriFuture conference will allow me to make new connections with those in the industry that I want to build a career in.”
“I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to attend AgriFuture! I look forward to seeing firsthand the growing and prosperous ag industry in New Mexico through tours around the Mesilla Valley, getting to network with young industry professionals and learning ways that I can be successful as I start a career in the agriculture industry,” said Lightfoot.
AgriFuture features a multitude of panels and breakout sessions, each focusing on varying topics related to the agriculture industry and its future. Some of the topics discussed during the 2024 event will include international livestock trade, establishing and growing an agribusiness, USDA program resources and financial management, agrotourism and more.
New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte said this event is perfect for those that are interested in a future in agriculture and want to learn how to set themselves up in the industry.
“We are excited to be hosting the AgriFuture conference in a more interactive, hands-on way this year,” said Witte. “In addition to traditional conference presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the Santa Teresa international livestock import/export facilities, as well as agribusinesses and agricultural research facilities in the Las Cruces area. I encourage everyone who is looking into agriculture opportunities to register and attend. We have great speakers who will share their experiences. New Mexico agriculture has a bright future, and this is an opportunity to get more involved in being a part of that future!”
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