Here’s a look at today’s headlines:

Two fires burning in New Mexico are reported in the mop-up stages.  The Conchas Ranch Fire in San Miguel County had burned approximately 1,800 acres as of this morning.  Progress of the State Line Fire in Roosevelt County was stopped last night at an estimated 1,700 acres.  Barring a significant change in fire behavior, this will be the final notification on these two grass fires.

The Silver City Museum will open a new Exhibit on April 15th.  “Stories of Southwestern New Mexico Women” will be home to 120 objects for the Albuquerque Museum, the New Mexico History Museum and the Silver City Museum’s collection.  Women’s stories, as well as their cultural identities, will be capture in part throughout the exhibit.  Many stories of women have been obscured in history, lost in the telling by predominantly masculine chroniclers.  The exhibit is filled with artifacts of five cultures including Mimbres pottery, Apache baskets, Spanish and Mexican household and trail items, religious objects and beautifully woven items of clothing dating back as early as 19th century New Mexico.

The US Small Business Administration was named the New Mexico Veterans Business Outreach Center the 2016 top Veterans Business Outreach Center in the nation.  IN addition to being recognized in Washington, D.C., the New Mexico team will be honored at a special Awards Breakfast on May 5th at the Sandia Golf Club.  The New Mexico Center was chosen from among 14 other outreach centers across the country for their aggressive outreach programs provided to veterans in four states and over 30 municipalities and reservations in New Mexico.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is making up to $44 million available to farmers, ranchers and businesses to develop new bio-based products and expand markets through the Value-Added Producer Grant program.  Value-Added Producer Grants may be used to develop new products and create additional uses for existing ones. Priority for these grants is given to veterans, members of socially disadvantaged groups, beginning farmers and ranchers, and operators of small- and medium-sized family farms and ranches. Additional priority is given to applicants who seek funding for projects that will create or increase marketing opportunities for these types of operators.