Congress is currently working to reauthorize the Farm Bill, an omnibus piece of legislation that includes policies and funding for the US Department of Agriculture, the US Forest Service and other federal programs.  "This is a historic opportunity for Congress to pass a Farm Bill that better serves small-scale and minority farmers and ranchers," according to Edmund Gomez, NMSU Cooperative Extension.  Gomez is also a member of a national advisory board that has developed policy recommendations regarding the Farm Bill.

Several organizations have joined to co-sponsor a gathering of farmers and ranchers from Northern New Mexico to provide them with an opportunity to voice their suggestions and concerns with regard to the policies in the Farm Bill.  "Hispanic and other minority farmers are getting a very small share of federal funding to support their agricultural operations.  We believe there should be more equity in the Farm Bill," says Don Bustos, owner of Santa Cruz Farm and Greenhouses and chair of the Western Sustainable Agriculture Working Group.   

The input from the forum will then be compiled into policy recommendations that will be presented to the New Mexico congressional delegation.  Co-sponsors of the forum include the New Mexico Acequia Association, Rio Arriba County, NMSU Cooperative Extension, Northern New Mexico College, American Friends Service Committee, Northern New Mexico Stockmans Association, and the Traditional Native American Farmers Association. 

The Forum will take place on Sunday, July 8^th at 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Administration Building at the Northern New Mexico College in Espaņola, New Mexico.  Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the NM Acequia Association at 995-9644 or go to our website at www.lasacequias.org.

 

About 500 acequia parciantes and supporters attended Acequia Day at the New Mexico State Legislature.  Acequia leaders from around New Mexico rallied behind the acequia legislative agenda.  Congreso delegates from throughout New Mexico were awarded with new shovels to clean their acequias during the spring. 

Festivities included a blessing of the water that included youth of all ages and acequia leaders from around New Mexico.  Los Hermanos Penitentes performed a beautiful blessing in honor of our water.

NMAA gives a special thanks to Speaker Ben Lujan, Senator Phil Griego, Senator Phil Griego, and Senator John Grubesic for attending and speaking in support of acequias on acequia day.  We look forward to another successful acequia day next year.

For a recent legislative update, go to the NMAA website at www.lasacequias.org.

 

 

MAYORDOMO

by Michael Miller, Acequia de la Puebla

Each time I open the compuerta,  to irrigate my garden, I will think of you - Compadre.

"Regar un hilito de agua-con un filito." You would say.
 

Commitment, Love, Passion, These words describe Your dedication. Por las acequias del norte.
 

"No puede haber cooperativas, sin cooperacion." This was your credo, The words you lived by.
 

Long meetings, bureaucrats, grant proposals, red tape-The Roundhouse.

There was no pain You did not endure-Because you believed, "el agua es la sangre de la tierra." 

Thank you, Amigo-For the water bank, the research, the open hands and open mind, the compromises, the sacrifices, You made, En el nombre de las acequias.

Adios!

Mayordomo-We are watching You. Walking slowly, in Your boots, Shovel over Your shoulder, As you follow the sacred sangrias-of Life-To the heavens, and Beyond.

As You look down upon the Earth, Your words echo in the Wind, and remind us, "L' agua es vida-

Let's Share It."

 

 

 

 

 

This is a monthly half-hour radio show that explores the richness the acequia culture and the challenges facing acequias. The show also chronicles the work of the New Mexico Acequia Association and the activities of the Sembrando Semillas team.

www.lasacequias.org