“Southern NM ranchers looking for help with Gila rehab and property damage”
by Megan Gleason, Source NM
August 2, 2022
Blaze’s destruction could add up to millions in repairs.
Click above link to read free-access article.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 2, 2022
Agriculture-related wildfire recovery meeting set for Aug. 10 in Sierra County
WINSTON, N.M. – A wildfire recovery meeting for the agriculture community affected by the Black Fire will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at the Winston Community Center, 387 Grafton Rd., in Winston, New Mexico.
Representatives from local, state and federal agencies will be in attendance to answer questions and address concerns about agriculture and natural resources impacted by the fire, including:
- Agriculture disaster assistance programs
- Livestock and natural resource programs
- Soil health and watershed management
- Agriculture producer mental health needs
- Water quality/wells
- Reforestation
- Livestock inspections and movement
- Lost or estray livestock
- Livestock grazing alternatives
Employees from New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension
Service, United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and
United States Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service will make brief
presentations.
“The agriculture community is vital to New Mexico, as farmers and ranchers
bring food to our plates, and we appreciate everything they do,” said New
Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte. “However, the way of life for many
ranchers and farmers in the Black Fire area has been impacted, and the state
and its partners are committed to helping this community recover.”
The goals of the meeting are to:
- Promptly detect and identify threats to New Mexico agriculture and food systems.
- Identify and provide resources for agriculture and food protection.
- Assist in the recovery of impacted systems to mitigate economic impacts to communities.