A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE PARTICIPATION OF STAKEHOLDERS, AGENCIES, LEGISLATORS AND THE GOVERNOR IN THE NEW MEXICO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE POLICY COUNCIL.

WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico has historically had a large and important agricultural sector, comprised of many and diverse types of agricultural endeavors; and

WHEREAS, residents of this state are currently experiencing a high level of food insecurity ranging from simple lack of food to poor nutrition and dependence on distant production sources; and

WHEREAS, residents of New Mexico have a long and honorable history of organizing themselves around issues of common concern and working together toward creative solutions to particular problems; and

WHEREAS, a number of governmental agencies and departments of New Mexico share the above concerns relating to food, nutrition, agriculture, education and economic development through improved agricultural production, environmental improvement and healthy nutrition; and

WHEREAS, many of the solutions sought will involve policy issues, through the impact on governmental rules and regulations on the viability of the agricultural sector and on the ability of people of all backgrounds to obtain sufficient, high-quality food for themselves and their families; and

WHEREAS, residents and agency personnel have already begun meeting to create an organization, the New Mexico food and agriculture policy council, with the express mission of providing a forum for the discussion of food and agricultural issues by a diverse cross section of the citizenry and state agencies, the identification of priority policies and actions and the education of the public and private sectors about these issues with the goal of improving New Mexico's food and agricultural systems;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the creation of the New Mexico food and agriculture policy council be acknowledged as a wise and prudent action, initiated by citizens and allowing them to work with the public sector and with private entities toward the strengthening of all New Mexicans' access to sufficient, high-quality food and of the economy of New Mexico's ranches, farms and value-adding food processors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, upon the formation of this policy council, the governor, stakeholders, agencies of state government and legislators be encouraged to participate in the New Mexico food and agriculture policy council; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor for distribution to state agencies, stakeholders and legislators.