SENATE MEMORIAL

55th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2022

INTRODUCED BY

Benny Shendo

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING JANUARY 25, 2022 "AGRICULTURE EDUCATION DAY" IN THE SENATE IN RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE THAT AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NUTRITION PLAY IN THE DAILY LIVES OF ALL NEW MEXICANS.

     WHEREAS, each and every person has significant ties to agriculture through history and culture; and

     WHEREAS, agriculture plays an integral role in the daily lives of New Mexicans by providing the food, fiber and fuel that is needed to live; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico agriculture is composed of roughly twenty-five thousand farms and ranches statewide and encompasses over forty million acres; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico agriculture is valued at three billion four hundred forty million dollars ($3,440,000,000) and stimulates both rural and urban economies; and

     WHEREAS, agriculture provides the food that nourishes all bodies; and

     WHEREAS, there is a need for increased emphasis and education regarding where food comes from and why food choices are important; and

     WHEREAS, incorporating increased agriculture-related curriculum in New Mexico's K-12 school systems will promote interest and intrigue in agriculture, food and nutrition; and

     WHEREAS, agriculture, food and nutrition education can be used as a strong component of an outdoor classroom curriculum and directly connect students with natural resources in a stimulating environment; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico farm and livestock bureau's "ag in the classroom" program is one of many great tools to link students with agriculture, food and nutrition; and

     WHEREAS, agriculture, food and nutrition education are highly dependent on science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum and skills; and

     WHEREAS, there is an extreme need to develop not only the next generation of farmers and ranchers but also biologists, food scientists and nutritionists; and

     WHEREAS, it is important that K-12 education begin to prepare New Mexico's young people with the skills they need to pursue careers in these extremely vital sectors;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO, in recognition of the importance that agriculture, food and nutrition play in the daily lives of all New Mexicans and the contribution that agriculture, food and nutrition make to the overall well-being of the residents of New Mexico, that January 25, 2022 be declared "agriculture education day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the public education department be requested to investigate how to incorporate curriculum pertaining to agriculture, food and nutrition into K-12 school systems and to provide a report with recommendations and a time line for implementation to the appropriate legislative interim committees by October 1, 2022; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico department of agriculture, the public education department and the office of the governor.

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