A Report to the NMDA
for the Specialty Crops Program
Submitted by NM Industrial Hemp Coalition
May 15, 2010
The present New Mexico Industrial Hemp Coalition is an ever evolving effort among supporters from the original online advocacy group, previously known as NMHemp.Org. Members include some of the original citizen advocates from the year 2000, to the present-day organization. The NMIHC continues to attract new supporters in New Mexico, and from out of state.
Attached you will find documents which demonstrate the planning and implementation undertaken by the NMIHC to meet the criteria requested in the terms of the guidelines for the grant.
According to the Professional Service Contract, the stipulations appear as follows:
“A) Develop and print an informational brochure that describes the economic and general benefits of producing industrial hemp for fiber in New Mexico.
Provide the University with a final written report detailing activities and copies of the materials developed under this contract.” *
Mikki Anaya received permission from Craig Mapel to amend the above language to include development of a website, in addition to the informational brochures. We wish to express our deepest appreciation to Mikki for her assistance in writing the proposal on behalf of the NMIHC for the Specialty Crops Program Grant.
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ABOUT GOALS, OBJECTIVES, SCOPE OF WORK…
The NMIHC is an all volunteer organization, and no dues are charged for individuals to become members. We see ourselves as primarily citizen advocates, but organizational structure is a must for any group which desires to achieve significant change at the federal and state levels.
ACTIVITY IN EARLY 2009
The Spring 2009 New Mexico State Legislative Session concluded with the passage of both House Memorial 47 (Rep. Ray Begaye) and Senate Memorial 30, (Senator Cisco McSorley), “A Memorial Requesting the New Mexico Department of Agriculture to investigate the feasibility of State incentives for commercialization of industrial hemp.”
Also included in the Memorials’ language was a directive that the U.S. Congress be requested to acknowledge the difference between Marijuana and Industrial Hemp and to clarify the language that would allow for the re-legalization of industrial hemp.
As a result of the educational activities during the Legislative Session, NMIHC members Dale Petty and Gloria Castillo met with Governor Bill Richardson on March 16, 2009. Governor Richardson expressed his support of industrial hemp for economic development, and assigned Bill Hume to work with the NMIHC. Subsequently, at meetings held on March 20 and March 25, our group met to evaluate the status and level of support for continued efforts in promoting a hemp industry in New Mexico. Bill Hume advised the group to continue initial dialog with the NMDA and explore the manner and means whereby industrial hemp research could be undertaken in order to create an advantage for the State of New Mexico, in anticipation of re- legalization..
As reflected in the supporting attachments, our original goals were to create outreach and communication tools to print an educational pamphlet or brochure; develop an electronic newsletter and create an NMIHC website
(see HYPERLINK "http://www.hempfornewmexico.com" www.hempfornewmexico.com).
Throughout the Spring and Summer of 2009, the NMIHC worked toward formalizing an organizational structure, recruiting board members and volunteers, writing our Mission Statement and trying to develop a working relationship with NMSU. We continued to meet as an informal group of citizen advocates.
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The goal of establishing an organizational structure, weighing all the factors of whether to register as a non-profit, for-profit or trade association, was a subject of seemingly endless discussion for the NMIHC. Please read the language of the House and Senate Memorial and one can see the obvious challenge(s) faced by the NMIHC. It is difficult for a group of volunteers to attempt to change federal policy without any funds. An effective organization will, of course, have to pay for basic expenses, such as postage, paying filing fees to the appropriate state agencies or regulatory bodies, plus, expenses related to creating the basic communication tools as stipulated in the grant request and guidelines.
The goals, objectives, scope of work, and expected outcomes have been met, although the long-term campaign to obtain a change in federal policy at the national level continues. Goals, Objectives, the Scope of Work and Expected Outcomes were clearly stated in NMIHC’s proposal entitled, “Industrial Hemp, New Mexico’s Next High Value Specialty Crop?”. Specifically, this document stated:
“GOALS AND OBJECTIVES”
The goal of the NMIHC is to build a sustainable, vibrant hemp industry…One of the first tasks toward achieving this goal is to reach out to NM growers with the intended objectives of: informing farmers about the movement to create a hemp industry in NM; informing growers of the advantages of cultiving this cash crop; informing growers of the various value added possibilities association with a hemp crop; and serving as a clearinghouse of information to provide NM growers with the information necessary to help them position themselves to take advantage of this opportunity.
SCOPE OF WORK
The NMIHC is currently seeking funds for the production and printing of an informational brochure, construction of a website, funding for an email newsletter….”
In “EXPECTED OUTCOMES”, the document states that “The expected outcomes to be accomplished as a result of the outreach tools for which funding is being requested include: Increased outreach to NM growers and others interested in the economic development potential of industrial hemp; increased inquiries and requests for information regarding how a person can become involved in the … hemp industry; and the development of a broader base of supporters who want to see a hemp industry created…”
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To clearly reiterate how these goals, objectives, scope of work, and outcomes have been met, the NMIHC has:
Transformed a one-page fact-sheet into a 4 page educational brochure.
Created a website, see HYPERLINK "http://www.hempfornewmexico.com" www.hempfornewmexico.com
Documented a chronological list of activities which the NMIHC has undertaken in to promote more awareness about the useful benefits that industrial hemp could provide to local economic development.
CONCLUSION
The NMIHC has developed a reputation as one of the most effective citizen led, community-based advocacy organizations, and has played a leadership role by responding to requests by national and other out of state hemp organizations. The NMIHC members are a diverse, visionary and strategic minded group who seek to achieve more effective educational strategies that result in coordinated efforts at both the state and national levels.
We are proud of the increased support we continue to receive from individuals, organizations and businesses as we work to achieve our goal of removing the barriers at the national level which continue to prevent farmers from utilizing the marvelous industrial hemp plant. Our belief in the economic development that could be realized would enable agriculture to assume both local benefits and gain entry into a manufacturing and import segment that is currently valued at over a billion dollars in one sector alone: heat, energy and biofuels.
The NMIHC can also point to our ability to cultivate strategic alliances with groups like National Farmers Union, the Rural Coalition in Washington, DC, and Vote Hemp. In March of 2010, our participation at the NFU convention in Rapid City, SD resulted in passage of stronger language from the NFU membership that shall direct the NFU leadership to take a stronger and more active role in educational activities in the United State Congress.
Next steps should be to develop better and more focused efforts in Washington DC to achieve our goal of removing industrial hemp from Schedule 1 during President Obama’s administration. We would be guilty of ignoring the obvious if we did not point out the absurdity of the present policies as exist currently in New Mexico. Growth regulations for growers who seek to cultivate medical marijuana are currently in place and require growers to seek permits through the NM Department of Health. Meanwhile, individuals who would like to grow industrial grade (less than .01% THC) are directed to apply to the Drug Enforcement Agency, with individuals holding out minimal hope of ever receiving the requested permits.
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As to the question of “Who benefits?”, the NMIHC is committed to developing and implementing strategies that benefit local economies; can lead to taxation and revenue for counties and cities*; could lead to strengthening and reviving already existing agriculture cooperatives; could contribute to alternative energy sources; lead to expanding manufacturing and increase jobs in rural areas; plus contribute to New Mexico’s effort to transition into a more “green” economy. This last option is monumentally significant---because one ton of hemp can sequester two tons of carbon, and create one ton of oxygen. This is a net gain in terms of climate change where emphasis is placed on sequestering carbon dioxide.
The NMIHC is hopeful that we will soon be able to achieve a private sector/ public organization collaboration that can help us to promote and gain entry to the hemp industry as we seek funding for the hemp seed test plots. We have developed a specific Two-Year Business Plan which we hope to be able to implement in the near future with interested farmers/private land owners, and legitimate educational/research institutions.
*See our list of supporting organizations – note that the AZ/NM Association of Counties supported the passage of SM30/HR 47 in 2009.
NMIHC members who contributed to this report are:
Bill Althouse, Gloria Castillo, Ruth Fahrbach, Dale Petty, and Kelly Savage. 05/14/2010.
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NMIHC – Report to NMDA
Chronology
CHRONOLOGY – LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS, 2009-2010
May 14, 2009 – A letter was hand-delivered to Gov. Richardson by Dale Petty, Vice-Chair of the NMIHC
May 27, 2009 – WORLD PEACE WEEK – Taos, NM
NMIHC members were invited to conduct informational panels for World Peace Week. The panelists were: Lisa Benjamin (Corrales); Ruth Fahrbach (Taos); Kathleen Savage (Santa Fe); and Gloria Castillo (Albuquerque). Two panels were presented: “Moving the Industry Forward – Local Overview” and “The Potential for a Fiber and Textile Industry”
July 17, 2009 – The NM Department of Agriculture, under the Specialty Crops Grants awards a grant to NMIHC
July 18 & 19, 2009 – SUSTAINABLE SANTA FE
Kathleen Savage of Santa Fe Hemp and Lisa Benjamin of Hemp Elegance were both vendors and educational exhibitors at the Sustainable Santa Fe festival held at the Convention Center (downtown Santa Fe).
August 14, 2009 – Meeting with Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Charitable and Educational Trust director, Susan Mikkelson. As the Director of the Cooperative Development Center, Ms. Mikkelson, met with the NMIHC board to discuss the services the Coop Development Center provides to agriculture related groups. She stressed that these services are available to any group, regardless of their status, including incubator-type resources for start-up small businesses, to grant writing for nonprofits .
October 2009 – PUMPKINFEST – Santa Fe
Santa Fe Hemp participated in the annual Pumpkinfest as a vendor.
October 5, 2009 - the NEW MEXICO CHAPTER of the ROCKY MOUNTAIN FARMERS UNION held its annual meeting in Clovis. Vice-Chair, Dale Petty, presented a hemp resolution, which was voted on and passed. In keeping with our commitment to grassroots, community advocacy, the NMIHC began to implement a strategy to develop support from prominent agricultural organizations that would lead to more effective outcomes in Washington D.C. in our quest to achieve significant, positive change in removing industrial hemp from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act.
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February 10, 2010 – LEGISLATIVE DAY, NM STATE LEGISLATURE, hosted by Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. NMIHC was invited by the RMFU to attend their legislative day activities which took place in Santa Fe. NMIHC members, Gloria Castillo, Bill Althouse, and Kathleen Savage met with RMFU members and officers. Our efforts were beginning to ‘pick up steam’ and the RMFU officers expressed enthusiasm and support for our efforts to work collaboratively.
March 14-16, 2010 – NATIONAL FARMERS UNION, 2010 CONVENTION
NMIHC volunteers traveled to Rapid City SD to the 108th annual convention. * The theme was, “Looking to our Roots. Growing Tomorrow’s Solutions.” Ruth Farhrbach, Gloria Castillo and Bill Althouse, all NMIHC members were invited to be exhibitors. The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union resolution, introduced in 2009 by the New Mexico Chapter, passed at the national convention with no dissent.
The Resolution reads: "We urge the President, Attorney General, and
Congress to direct the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to differentiate between industrial hemp and marijuana and adopt policy to allow American farmers to grow industrial hemp under state law without requiring DEA licenses."
* The NMIHC wishes to acknowledge the contributions of Vote Hemp and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps for underwriting travel expenses, an in-kind donation to NMIHC.
[See Press Release, attached]
May 15, 2010 – HEMP HISTORY WEEK at the SANTA FE FARMERS MARKET
In addition to the above list, the NMIHC held open meetings on the following dates. Minutes and Agenda are available upon request.
NMIHC held open meetings on the following dates:
March 20 & March 25, 2009
April 2, 2009
July 10, 2009
August 20, 2009
September 22, 2009
January 13, 2010
March 31, 2010
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