SENATE MEMORIAL 43

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

INTRODUCED BY

Carlos R. Cisneros









A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING COOPERATION AMONG THE DIVERSE CONCERNED PUBLIC AGENCIES AND INTERESTS IN SUPPORT OF THE ACQUISITION OF THE MCCARTHY RANCH IN TAOS COUNTY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NONPROFIT COMMUNITY AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION CENTER, AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS INCUBATOR AND WORKING RANCH.



WHEREAS, in Taos county, like many other counties in New Mexico, ranching and farming are vital industries whose role as the state's second most important economic sector and as the material base of the unique indigenous cultures of the region deserves and is in need of public support; and

WHEREAS, for people to be able to afford to keep farmland open, it must generate real income; and

WHEREAS, the McCarthy ranch is currently on the market and could be purchased at any time and developed in ways that could adversely affect the water table, the acequias and the biodiversity; and

WHEREAS, friends of the McCarthy ranch, a New Mexico nonprofit corporation, is working to purchase the property and establish and manage a community agricultural education center, agricultural business incubator and working ranch that provides benefits to the entire community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Taos county, the town of Taos, the acequia and community ditch associations of the Taos valley, the Taos soil and water conservation district, the New Mexico department of agriculture, the university of New Mexico and other concerned public agencies and interests be requested to diligently cooperate and collaborate with friends of the McCarthy ranch in support of acquiring the McCarthy ranch for the establishment of this community asset for generations of Taoseños to come; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the Taos county commission, the Taos town council, the board of directors of the Taos valley acequia association, the board of supervisors of the Taos soil and water conservation district, the director of the New Mexico department of agriculture and the board of regents of the university of New Mexico.

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