by Rex Wilson
New Mexico Cattle Grower’s Association President’s Message
Dear Fellow Cattlemen,
Snow and a little moisture have followed us into the New Year and the 2013 Legislature is shaping up to be as unpredictable as expected. Apparently the world is level.
There haven’t been as many bills introduced in the Legislature as we thought there might have been, but there is plenty of time for that to change. The final day to drop bills is the middle of February. President Elect Jose Varela Lopez and Michelle Frost have been fully deployed in Santa Fe since day 1 on January 15. The weekly reports that they are producing are the best ever.
The “10 for 10” bill readers have been hard at work helping us make sure that we don’t miss any important legislation that might be introduced. I cannot tell you how much all of this teamwork is appreciated.
It took a bit longer for organization to come together, but legislators are in offices and we have their phone numbers. Jose, Michelle and others report that the pace of the body is different from the past. Legislators are constantly on the move making it hard to catch them in their offices. This change of habit makes your phone calls, emails and letters even more important.
There have been several calls to action sent out already. If you are not receiving those via direct email, they are also on the NMCGA website: www.nmagriculture.org and on the NMCGA Facebook page. I will confess that I am not Facebook literate, but I am taking Caren’s word for it.
You may have noticed that we launched a new website last fall. Not only is it eye-catching, but Michelle found a way to save several thousand dollars a year on the hosting and maintaining of the site. The number of visitors to the site since we have been using Facebook to deliver our message, coupled with letters that we have sent to agricultural property owners is paying off. Not only is our membership climbing at a gratifying pace, but our dropped members are down. AND there is enough traffic on the site that we have been able to work with a marketing company that is bringing advertisers on board. This has created a much-needed new source of revenue for the Association.
We have also been blessed with a new benefactor to the litigation fund that is enabling us to continue to fight injustice to ranchers and the public in the courts. In addition to that large donation, others continue to contribute to the fund and every dollar is most appreciated.
While the challenges facing ranching families continue, those families are rising to the challenges.
The legislative Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for February 18 and 19 in Santa Fe. If you haven’t already made plans to go, it is not too late. The room block may be full, but we will be happy to help you locate other accommodations. Call the office to register and let us know if you need further assistance.
The invitation to join New Mexico Cattle Growers’ remains open. I hope you will join us as we carry on the traditions of our forefathers while adapting to what life hands us.
Hope to see you in Santa Fe.
Rex Wilson, President