About the Policy Council
The New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council is a democratically based organization, composed of a variety of groups and individuals working on issues arising from the food and agriculture systems. The Policy Council encourages representation from all related sectors including agriculture, health, human and social services, business, environment, education, economics, nutrition, transportation, and legal. The Policy Council acts in a collaborative manner to bring forward to the public eye a discussion of food and agricultural issues for more comprehensive examination. It educates and informs the public, those directly affected by food and agriculture programs, as well as public and legislative decision-makers about selected policy issues. Its priorities are openly arrived at by deliberations of its members. It advocates for these policy issues in a variety of forums and develops and disseminates viable policy recommendations and alternatives.
Vision:
The vision of the policy council is to identify key food and agriculture policy issues and opportunities and address these priorities when set forth by the Council. The council works to build the capacity of agencies, organizations, individuals and communities to advocate for local, state and national food and agriculture policies that most benefit all New Mexicans.
Purpose:
- Broaden the discussion of issues to examine more comprehensively the food and agriculture systems and how federal, state and local government and public bodies shape the food system.
- Create a forum in which the public in conjunction with institutions involved in food and agricultural systems, including government, can meet to learn more about what each one does and consider how their actions impact other parts of these systems.
- Advocate for selected food and agricultural policy issues in various forums and venues, with a focus on food access, production, distribution, and consumption issues.
- Help to create a safe, nutritious, affordable and adequate food supply for all New Mexicans that will prevent food insecurity and hunger.
- Strive for fair food and agricultural systems that supports the economic, cultural, environmental and social needs of both producers and consumers.
Goals:
- Develop, coordinate and implement a food system policy that links economic development, social and environmental impacts with farming, ranching and urban issues.
- Review and comment on proposed legislation and regulations that have an impact on food and agricultural systems.
- Make recommendations to the executive and legislative branches of government on food and agriculture policy.
- Support the development of local markets for agricultural products such as school lunch programs and farmers’ markets by emphasizing the cultural, economic and environmental importance of New Mexico’s food production, and by promoting local purchase of New Mexico’s farmers’ produce and products as a way to increase the agricultural economy.
- Establish ongoing programs and projects to educate the public about food and agricultural systems based upon accurate facts and reliable reports and analyses.
- Promote the viability of local farming and ranching and the retention and recruitment of small farmers and ranchers in New Mexico.
- Increase awareness of and work to prevent food insecurity for New Mexican families and children.
- Develop and support greater access to nutritious foods at reasonable prices for New Mexicans most in need, in both rural and urban communities, and to be sensitive to cultural and traditional food preferences.
- Educate about and promote stewardship and conservation of land, water and resources.
Annual Committees: Policy and Legislative Issues Team
Issues Committees
- Agriculture and Land and Water Stewardship: 1) Identify, educate about and advocate for policies that can maximize opportunities for and overcome obstacles to farming and ranching in New Mexico and Tribal communities throughout the southwest; topic areas include marketing, producer recruitment and retention, and access to land, capital and information. 2) Expand awareness about the role of farming and ranching in environmental stewardship and promote conservation of valuable land and water resources.
- Health and Food Security: Bring attention to the relationship between health and food security. Identify projects and partnerships that promote food security in the state and in Tribal communities. Develop educational materials and policy priorities around nutrition and support projects that encourage and make affordable healthy and culturally appropriate food in schools, workplaces and homes.
Membership:
The NM Food and Agriculture Policy Council is made up of organizations, agencies, and individuals from many sectors including agriculture, health, human and social services, food related businesses and organizations, environment, education, economics, nutrition, transportation, and legal. Meetings are generally held quarterly and are open to all interested parties.
Governing Board:
Clark de Schweinitz, Chair, NM Legal Aid
Dale Petty, Vice-Chair, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
Kari Bachman, Secretary, Nutritionist, NM State University*
John O’Connell, Treasurer, City of Albuquerque*
Cecilia McCord, Farmer, Rio Grande Farmland Trust
Kaye Dunahoo, Dairy Producers of New Mexico
Laurel Wychkoff, NM Association of Food Banks
Jeff Bader, Bernalillo County Director, Co-op Extension Service*
Craig Mapel, Marketing Specialist, NM Dept. of Agriculture*
Corrine Lovato, retired, NM Public Education
Pauline Raia, NM Food and Nutrition Bureau*
Eisabeth Byer, Aging and Long-Term Services Department*
Samuel Suina, Tribal Extension Task Force & NMSU
Dale Petty, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union
Bruce Milne, University of New Mexico
Gregory Gould, Foodology
Dan Schuster, Farmer
Pam Roy, Director
Agency Representatives *