HOUSE MEMORIAL 31

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Matthew McQueen

A MEMORIAL

EXPRESSING SUPPORT AND ENDORSING THE PROCESS FOR THE CREATION OF A STATEWIDE RESILIENCY PLAN.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico agriculture is among the most diverse in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, in 2014, agriculture production in New Mexico totaled three billion seven hundred million dollars ($3,700,000,000) as reported by the New Mexico department of agriculture; and

     WHEREAS, the total value of agriculture-sector production is valued over four billion dollars ($4,000,000,000) when forest products sold and other farm income are included; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico continues to be among the nation's leaders in chile and pecans, producing twenty-five and four-tenths percent of the nation's production in both crops; and

     WHEREAS, in 2014, one hundred sixteen organic farms and ranches produced over thirty-four million four hundred thousand dollars ($34,400,000) in sales; and

     WHEREAS, a statewide resiliency plan could strengthen the agriculture sector in New Mexico and encourage the necessary support and development for this important part of the state's economy; and

     WHEREAS, a resilient New Mexico food and agriculture system, capable of withstanding new challenges and advancing to new successes, will require both a strong export-oriented commodity agriculture sector and a robust local food system for small- to medium-sized family farms and ranches; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico first has hosted regional meetings focused on the creation of a statewide resiliency plan to:

          A. create common ground regarding food and agriculture policies;

          B. generate ideas for more economic value for producers and economic vitality for communities;

          C. develop strategies to support young people who want to stay with, or get back into, agriculture;

          D. address water, land-use, climate and economic challenges facing the agriculture industry;

          E. support agriculture's contributions to health-related solutions for consumers and communities; and

          F. contribute to worker, consumer and community welfare; and

     WHEREAS, this initiative presents a unique opportunity to bring together a diverse group of agriculture stakeholders to identify industry trends, challenges and solutions;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it express its support and endorse the New Mexico first agriculture planning process for the creation of a statewide resiliency plan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture and the director of New Mexico first.

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