The Hidalgo Soil and Water Conservation District has developed its Natural Resource Improvement Cost Share Assistance Program to help farmers and ranchers operating within the district’s boundaries implement conservation practices that protect and improve local land and natural resources. The program promotes water conservation, healthy soil and vegetation management while benefiting wildlife, livestock and landowners. Eligible projects qualify for a 50/50 cost-share arrangement, with the district contributing up to $7,000 per producer. For more information about eligible practices and program requirements, call 505-469-5922.
Gila Regional Medical Center is preparing to expand its facility to accommodate a new MRI scanner, with demolition of the hospital’s old emergency medical services building expected to begin in the coming weeks. The project is supported by $1 million in federal funding to purchase and install the equipment. The new scanner is expected to expand diagnostic imaging services for Grant County residents and surrounding communities, potentially reducing the need for patients to travel outside the area for certain medical scans.
Luna County farmer James Johnson of WR Johnson & Sons LLC in Columbus is among five producers featured in New Mexico’s “Healthy Soil. Growing New Mexico’s Future” campaign. Johnson uses sheep and goats to return nutrients to the soil, highlighting conservation practices that could help local farmers and ranchers improve water retention, reduce erosion and protect their land. These efforts are relevant to Southwest New Mexico, where drought and limited water supplies challenge agricultural production and long-term soil health. More information is available at NM Soil dot com.
In Election news:
Early voting continues across Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties ahead of the November 3 General Election. Voters can cast their ballots at county clerk offices, with additional locations opening October 17, including the Bayard Community Center and the Mimbres Valley Learning Center in Luna County. Early voting runs through October 31, and eligible residents can register and vote on the same day at participating locations. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 20. Voters can find polling locations, voting hours and sample ballots at NM Vote dot org or by contacting their county clerk’s office.