The 2008 New Mexico legislative session is underway. Throughout the session, we will try to stay up to date about legislation affecting local foods in our region and state-wide. The MRCOG’s Agribusiness Collaborative works closely with the N.M. Food and Agriculture Policy Council, which has agreed to keep us informed about hot topics. 

Several bills already have been assigned numbers:

• Study of Ways to Increase New Mexicans' Access to Healthy Foods. Rep Nunez, HB86
• NM Grown Produce for School Lunches, Representative King, HB164
• NM Farmers' Market Nutrition Enhancement Program, Representative Tripp, HB156
• NM Tribal Extension, Representative Begaye, HB25
• NM Farmers' Market Nutrition Enhancement Program, Senator Cisneros, SB49
• Sustainable Agriculture Research Center (Small Farm Institute), Senator Beffort, SB42
• Enacting the Manny Herrera Access to Healthy Foods Act (Food Gap initiative), Representative Moore

The Agriculture Committee often meets on Tuesdays or Thursdays at the Capitol.  You can track bills of interest to you online at the legislative website.   You can also contact your senators and representatives at 505-986-4600. 

Contact:  Ann Simon (asimon@mrcog-nm.gov)