Here’s a look at today’s headlines:
Rural Bookmobile West for the week of January 18th through the 22nd has been cancelled due to mechanical issues with the bookmobile. This includes the January 20th scheduled stops: Caballo, Hillsboro and Kingston as well as the Thursday January 21st stops at Mimbres, Lake Roberts, and Doc Campbell’s Post. At current, the bookmobile is still scheduled for the month of February.
The Silver City Ranger District invites the public to a community meeting to discuss the upcoming Cameron Creek Prescribed Fire. The meeting will be at the Grant County Administration Center, Commissioners Chambers, 1400 Highway 180 East, Silver City, NM on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Forest officials will provide information about the 2,100-acre wildlife habitat improvement project and the estimated time for implementation. The project area is approximately five miles northeast of Silver City within the Ft. Bayard Wildlife Refuge.
Contractors began work on the Leggett Starkweather fuels reduction project on the Reserve Ranger District Monday. Thinning will continue on approximately 530 acres in the vicinity of the community of Rancho Grande along Hwy 180 and Hwy 12. This project is a collaborative effort between New Mexico State Forestry (NMSF) and the Gila National Forest.
New Mexico USDA Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Molly Manzanares reminds livestock producers who suffered livestock losses that occurred due to the severe snow storm from December 26th through January 6th that they have until February 1st to report their losses and to enroll in the Livestock Indemnity Program. Livestock producers are encouraged to contact their local county FSA office with any questions regarding specific forage crops that are eligible.
Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden today announced that the US Department of Agriculture will begin offering farm ownership microloans, creating a new financing avenue for farmers to buy and improve property. These microloans will be especially helpful to beginning or underserved farmers, US Veterans looking for a career in farming, and those who have small and mid-sized farming operations. Visit www.fsa.usda.gov/microloans or contact your local FSA office.