The USDA-NRCS has announced that March 24th is the deadline for Burned Land EQIP Special Rate Initiative to assist New Mexico Farmers and Ranchers Impacted in 2022. The Black fire is one of the eligible fires for funding. EQIP may provide up to 75 percent of the costs of certain conservation practices. However, socially disadvantaged, limited-resource, beginning, and veteran farmers and ranchers are eligible for cost-share rates of up to 90 percent. For more information contact New Mexico State of Office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service at 505-761-4402.
Here is an update on the cattle removal from the Gila Wilderness. The Gila National Forest department completed their operations this past week to kill feral cattle within the boundaries of the Gila Wilderness. The aerial shooting operations resulted in 19 cattle being killed over three days and the cattle have left onsite to naturally decompose. The closure order covering the area of operations has now been lifted. The Forest Service stated that this is the “most efficient and humane way to deal with the issue.”
Need some help on your taxes? There are several places to get free help. There are free in-person tax preparation sessions available at the Bayard Public Library and at WNMU Watts Hall, with no age restrictions, by appointment, offered by AARP Tax-Aide Foundation. For Bayard, call 575-342-1892. For WNMU in Silver call 575-342-8930.
In Deming news:
There will be a Community Trash Clean-up day, March 4th from 8am to noon. The group is looking for volunteers to participate. Call 575-694-5257 for more information.
At the Deming Arts Center, there will be a highschool student art show opening on Saturday, March 5th from 1pm-3pm.
The County of Commissioners of Luna County will be holding a public hearing with the intent to consider issuing a Special Use Permit for South Peak Solar to Galehead Development for a utility scale solar project on Thursday, March 9th, at 9am in the Luna County Commission chambers. Questions and comments can be made at the public hearing.
