BUENA VISTA, N.M. – An informational open house for the agriculture community affected by the Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon wildfires will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 14 at the Buena Vista Fire Department, County Road 12 in Buena Vista, New Mexico. Buena Vista is about 6 miles southeast of Mora. The directions to the fire department are as follows:

• Head north on State Highway 518 in Buena Vista.
• Turn right between mile marker 21 and mile marker 22 onto County Road 12, which is a dirt road.
• At the next stop sign (where the road comes to a “T”), turn left.
• Pass a yellow house and a church.
• Buena Vista Fire Department is at the next entrance on the left. It is a big metal building.

The goals of the open house are to:

• Promptly detect and identify threats to New Mexico agriculture and food systems.
• Identify and provide resources for agriculture and food protection.
• Assist in the recovery of impacted systems to mitigate economic impacts to communities.

Representatives will be available to answer questions and address concerns about agriculture and natural resources impacted by the fire, including:

• Agriculture disaster assistance programs
• Livestock and natural resource programs
• Soil health and watershed management
• Agriculture producer mental health needs
• Water quality/wells
• Reforestation
• Livestock inspections and movement
• Lost or estray livestock
• Livestock grazing alternatives

Representatives from the following entities will be in attendance:

• New Mexico Department of Agriculture
• New Mexico Environment Department
• New Mexico Livestock Board
• New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service
• United States Department of Agriculture – Farm Service Agency
• United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service
• United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
• Federal Emergency Management Agency

For more information, email pio@nmda.nmsu.edu.