The farm bill passed by the House Agriculture Committee on July 19th did not include the Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program one of the top priorities of the Diversity Initiative (www.ruralco.org) and the top priority identified at the Northern New Mexico Farm Bill Forum on July 8th. However, a number of provisions from the Baca Bill or NOURISH Act, HR 2401, were incorporated into the current version. For a matrix comparing policy innovations from the Food and Farm Policy Project to provisions in the House Agriculture Committee Bill go to http://www.farmandfoodproject.org/documents/FFPP_targets_Matrix.pdf
To hear proceedings from the Farm Bill Forum on July 8, 2007, click here.
On Monday, July 23rd, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of John D’ Antonio vs. San Lorenzo Community Ditch. DL Sanders, General Counsel for the Office of the State Engineer stated the position of the OSE is that once a final adjudication decree issued by the court, the sole jurisdiction for administering water rights in a stream system should lie with the State Engineer. Peter White, representing San Lorenzo Community Ditch argued that the courts should retain jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of the final adjudication decree. White explained that the water master appointed by the State Engineer had imposed a rotation on the river based on acreage and not on priority dates. In so doing, the State Engineer was not meeting the requirements of the court decree and that the court should retain jurisdiction to appoint a court water master to enforce the decree. NMAA will announce the court’s decision when it has been issued.
On July 8th, 2007, farmers, ranchers, and community leaders from throughout Northern New Mexico gathered for a Farm Bill Forum to discuss Congressional reauthorization of the Farm Bill.The undersigned organizations and individuals articulated a policy framework that addresses the unique social, ecological, and cultural context in New Mexico while also endorsing a national policy effort entitled the Food and Farm Policy Diversity Initiative.Below is a summary of the priority policy objectives that surfaced at the Forum and specific recommendations for existing and new sections of the Farm Bill. For a complete summary of the Farm Bill Forum, click on Farm Bill Recommendations
To hear proceedings from the Farm Bill Forum on July 8, 2007, click here.
Top Priority Policy Recommendations for 2007 Farm Bill
Establish Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Program to support minority farmers and ranchers through combination of technical assistance and financial incentives.Status:Not included in House Agriculture Committee Base Bill.Language for program was introduced in the NOURISH Act by Representative Joe Baca as Title 1 of HR 2401.Recommendation: Seeking amendment on House Floor or in Senate Agriculture Committee for authorization of $100 million in annual mandatory funding.
Recognition of historic rights for traditional uses on forest land and establishment of indigenous and local user advisory groups.Status:Not included in House Agriculture Committee Base Bill.Recommendation:Seeking amendment on House Floor or in Senate Agriculture Committee.
Ensure that language is not inserted into the Farm Bill that preempts state and local food safety laws, such as bans on genetically engineered seeds.Status:Section 123 in Title 1 of the markup from the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee was removed.Recommendation:Prevent addition of this or similar language in the Farm Bill.
Create a special initiative under EQIP to preserve and rehabilitate historic community irrigation structures.Status:Not included in House Agriculture Committee Base Bill.Recommendation:Request amendment on House Floor or in Senate Agriculture Committee to authorize $15 million in annual mandatory funding.
Make protection of minority-owned land a stated goal of the Farm and Ranch Protection program and include set aside of 10% for minority farmers.Status:Not included in House Agriculture Committee Base Bill.Recommendation:Seeking amendment on House Floor or in Senate Agriculture Committee.
Reauthorization of the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program at $25 million mandatory funding annually with set asides for SDFRs.Status:House Agriculture Committee Base Bill includes $15 million annual mandatory funding.
Reauthorize funding for 2501 Outreach programs through mandatory annual funding of $50 million.Status:Mandatory annual funding of $15 million included in House Agriculture Committee Base Bill.
The Sembrando Semillas team, with representation from Taos, Mora, and Peñasco areas, went on a three-day backpacking trip to hike to the top of La Jicarita peak. The trail to Serpent Lake begins at approximatly 10,800 feet. The hike to Serpent Lake was around 3.5 miles where we made camp at about 11,600 feet. The stretch to La Jicarita the next day and about 3.5 miles later, had us on top at over 12, 800 feet.
20 hours per week
$12.00 per hour
Temporary position
The New Mexico Acequia Association is seeking a part-time office assistant.
Strong interpersonal skills and computer skills including proficiency
with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access are REQUIRED.
Job duties:
Staff the office the following days of the week during the following hours:
Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 to 5:30 and Thursday, 8:30 to 12:30
Answer phones and direct messages accordingly
Respond to walk-in requests for information
Check organization’s general email box and respond to and direct accordingly
Assist with mail-outs as necessary
Assist with phone calls to organization’s membership and Board of Directors
Run office errands as necessary
Make entries into data base and generate reports as necessary
Support Executive Director as necessary
Assist staff as necessary
To apply:
Send resume and cover letter to communications@lasacequias.org
Or mail to:
Mikki Anaya
607 Cerrillos Rd.
Suite F
Santa Fe, NM 87505
On the evening of Friday, July 6, Taos Sembrando Semillas members Andrew and Samantha Mascareñas, Martin Cardenas, and other semillitas got together to learn about garlic harvesting and storage from mentor Victor Mascareñas. We learned that garlic is ready when you can see purple coming through the seed scape on top. The garlic then needs to be hung in a cool, dark, airy place for two weeks to curar. It is then ready to eat, store, sell, or plant again in September or October.
We finish listening to proceedings from the 2nd Annual Tierra, Agua, y Cultura conference, “Las Mujeres Hablan: Women, Seeds, and Agriculture,” on March 17, 2007. This conference was organized in collaboration with the New Mexico Acequia Association, the Traditional Native American Farmers’ Association, Tewa Women United, and Honor our Pueblo Existence. In this episode you will hear from a panel entitled about traditional foods and remedios with presenters:
- Serena Hena of Tesuque Pueblo.
- Donne Gonzales of Ojito.
- and Anna Mora Gutierrez Sisneros of lower San Pedro.
Also in this show is the reading of the Women’s Declaration from the Conference.
You can also hear some youth perspectives from the conference.
This month’s music is from “Singing Earth” by Xavier Quijas Yxayotl. Theme music by Cipriano Vigil.
