for the Agribusiness Collaborative meetings

December 12, 2007
Topic: Agricultural Land Preservation: Opportunities and Funding Mechanisms
Sarah Masek, Albuquerque City Council Staff, Albuquerque Greenprint model—Opportunities for Land Preservation
Reese Fullerton, Deputy Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, New Mexico’s Land, Wildlife, and Agriculture Set-Aside Fund

November 14, 2007
Topic: Market Your Product like a Pro!
Dennis Robinson, Food Technologist and International Food Marketing Specialist, Taking your product to new places
Mary Ellen Merrigan, Connecting Point Communications, Media Kits, tools for packaging your message

October 10, 2007
Topic: Making the Links: Connecting to Enable a Stronger Local Food Shed
Dr. Bruce Milne, UNM Sustainability Studies and Susan Keith, the Alliance for a Carbon-neutral Food Shed, Learn how a regional food shed will reduce emissions, protect land and water, and encourage four-season agriculture
Julie Heinrich, MRCOG Special Projects Manager, Preview of the new agribusiness website and brainstorm opportunities for future interactivity

September 12, 2007
Topic: Informal Gathering at the New Mexico State Fair

August 8, 2007
Topic: Local Food in the Schools: Models at APS and a New Program in the Valley High School Cluster
Candace Loomis, Operations Manager, Albuquerque Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services
Le Adams, Farm to Table, Farm to Cafeteria Project

July 11, 2007
Topic: Field trip to Chispas Farms June 13, 2007 Topic: Making the Farm Bill Work for our Local Region
Callie Gibson, Aide to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici
Mark Winne, Community Food Security Coalition
Eric Garretson, Downtown Growers’ Market

May 9, 2007
Topic: Examples of locally grown foods connections
Kristie Romano, Owner of Vitality Juice, Using natural, organic and local ingredients (including wheat grass) for newest Downtown eatery
Jim Douglas, Director of La Paloma Greenhouse and ARCA Organics, A unique organization with a unique workforce producing a unique product: wheat grass

April 23, 2007
Farm to Restaurant Workshop
Presentations and advice from growers currently selling to area restaurants • Discussion on marketing strategies
Dialogue with chefs and owners of top Albuquerque restaurants

April 11, 2007
Topic: Growing dry land canola for biodiesel in New Mexico
John Long, Blue Sun Biodiesel
Fernando Martinez, New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department 
Denise McWilliams, New Mexico State University Crops Program

March 14, 2007
Topic: Marketing local foods
Matthew Herman, Marketing Director, and Leonard Castillo, Produce Team Leader, Albuquerque Whole Foods Market, New Emphasis of Whole Foods on buying local
Tony Santillanes, Owner of Chili-It, Processing at the South Valley Incubator and Bringing a Local Product National

December 13, 2006
Topic: Getting ready for the 2007 Legislative Session An Industry Perspective:
Ricardo Gonzales, Director of Governmental and Legislative Affairs, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Pam Roy, New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council A Legislators’ Perspective: 
Jimmie Hall, N.M. State Representative District 28

November 8, 2006
Topic: The Pueblos’ Contributions to Local Agriculture from Education to Product Development and Sales
Cynthia Chavez, PhD, Museum Director of Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Felice Lucero, Director of San Felipe Farm Services
Jerry Kinsman, General Manager of Santa Ana Agricultural Enterprises

October 11, 2006
Topic: Managing Resources and Generating Profits in the Community and on the Farm 
Bruce Milne, Biology Professor and Director of the Sustainability Studies Program, UNM 
Monte Skaarsgard, Owner of Los Poblanos Organics

August 9, 2006
Topic: How local producers can work with La Montanita Co-op in Building a Sustainable Regional Food System 
C. E. Pugh, General Manager, La Montanita Co-op 
David Geidd, Produce Manager, La Montanita Co-op 
Dana Lusby, Grocery Buyer, La Montanita Co-op  

Contact:  Ann Simon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )