NMDA Strategic plan 2004-2008 - Accreditation

Table of Contents
Foreword
2
History
3
NMDA Programs
4
Overview
6
Vision and Mission
7
Priority Area No. 1
Global Marketplace Development
8
Priority Area No. 2
Food Safety and Food Security
9
Priority Area No. 3
Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
10
Priority Area No. 4
Food, Health, and Consumer Awareness
11
Priority Area No. 5
Economic Development and Value-Added processing
12
Priority Area No. 6
Agency Leadership and Management Capacity
13
Priority Area No. 7
Regulatory Compliance
14
NMDA Organizational Chart
15
Boards and Commissions-Participation and Membership
16
Foreword
T
o move our agency forward, we must have confidence
that our strategies respond to the future needs of our
industry. Confidence leads to the courage needed to
undertake innovation, progress, and finally accomplishment.
Perusal of the plan described in this document will
underscore two themes. First, the emphasis is placed on an
external focus with our many audiences and an identification
of priority trends that will impact our strategic direction and
specific goals and objectives.
Secretary Gonzalez
A changing market place demands a fresh approach to traditional issues. Health-related
opportunities for food will intersect with medicine and agriculture. Confidence in the safety
and security of our food supply will remain a priority for our consuming public.
A balance between the production use of water and urban needs will continue to bring pressure
to bear on efficiency and conservation technologies related to multiple uses.
On the environmental side, we must be proactive in educating all consumers on the positive
impacts of biotechnology and science in agriculture, particularly as we strive for compliance
and regulation.
Second, the emphasis is on the internal improvements we continue to make to improve
agency’s effectiveness and efficiency. An organization that has strategically integrated
leadership, staff development, information technology and communications, and performancebased budgeting approaches will be flexible enough to respond to these landscape changes in a
business and the production environment.
We at New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) have taken steps to set a course and
direction that makes the agency flexible and capable of responding to a changing agricultural
industry in a global context. I invite you to review our plan and make suggestions to improve
our future and help us move New Mexico agriculture forward.
I. Miley Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Director/Secretary
New Mexico Department of Agriculture
2
History
“There shall be a department of agriculture which
shall be under the control of the Board of Regents of
New Mexico State University . . . State Department of
Agriculture.”
The 1911 State Constitution created
a department of agriculture. In 1955
the New Mexico State University
(NMSU) Board of Regents unified a
number of regulatory services and the
individuals responsible for them under
a single administrative organization
— the New Mexico Department of
Agriculture. Since March 1978, the
director of NMDA has served as
the secretary of agriculture on the
Governor’s Cabinet. As such, the
director/secretary is the agricultural
industry’s official representative to state and federal government.
NMDA is a producer-consumer service and regulatory department under the NMSU Board of
Regents and is responsible for certain statutes legislated over the last half century. NMDA’s
mandate has changed over the years since its creation by the State Constitution. Services have
expanded in reaction to changes in population, needs of agribusiness activities, and dynamic
economic conditions.
The first director of NMDA, serving from 1955 to 1971, was Dallas Rierson. Charlie Whigam
served as acting director from June 1971 until January 1972 when Dr. Gerald Thomas, NMSU
president, appointed Dr. William P. Stephens the new director. Frank A. DuBois was named
director/secretary in 1988 and served in this capacity until his retirement in June 2003.
The Board of Regents appointed Dr. I. Miley Gonzalez as the new director/secretary effective
July 1, 2003. In addition to being the chief executive officer of the department, Dr. Gonzalez
serves on the Governor’s Cabinet, the NMSU Cabinet, Vice President’s Council, and the
Administrative Council.
3
NMDA Programs
Office of the Director/Secretary – provides
overall leadership and establishes policy for the
operation of the department and serves as liaison
between agricultural producers and state and federal
government entities.

Budget and Support Services – oversees
budgeting, accounting systems, vehicles,
inventory, purchasing, and building functions.

Information Technology and
Communications – oversees all phases of the
information technology needs including all
policies, procedures, and personnel associated
with computer mainframe applications, personal
computers, servers and software licensing, and
cell phones and their applications.

Personnel and Staff Development – serves all
personnel matters and provides coordination for
the functions associated with staff training and
development.

Sponsored Programs Administration
– provides direct support in budgeting and
accounting for the continued smooth operation
of functions for divisions and staff.
Industries, which directs pest detection surveys,
regulates quarantines, and regulates the sale of
live plants and cut flowers; the Dairy Bureau,
which provides dairy farm and plant inspections
and permitting; and the Bureau of Feed, Seed,
and Fertilizer, which regulates distribution
of feed, seed, and fertilizer through product
registration and inspections.
Agricultural Biosecurity – responsible for
interacting with the agricultural industry, law
enforcement agencies, and state and federal
agencies to design and direct programs that
safeguard and secure the agricultural industry.
Agricultural and Environmental Services
– contains the Bureau of Pesticide Management,
which administers pesticide-use laws through
product registration, applicator licensing, and
inspection; the Bureau of Entomology and Nursery
4

State Chemist Laboratory – provides
analytical services required by the regulatory
functions of NMDA on feed, fertilizer, and
pesticides. Similar analyses are provided to
the public and other agencies on a fee basis.

State Seed Laboratory – performs analyses
on seed and provides technical information
on regulatory samples for NMDA and similar
testing on a fee basis for the public and other
agencies.
Agricultural Programs and Resources
– provides technical and administrative resources
and planning assistance to soil and water
conservation districts and the agricultural industry.
The division monitors, investigates, analyzes,
and disseminates information to influence policy
decisions affecting the viability of agriculture
and the sustainability of New Mexico’s natural
resources.
and length; provides calibration of weights
and measures used in department regulatory
activities; and performs calibration services
on a fee basis for industry.
Marketing and Development – responsible for
state, national, and international market expansion
and development for New Mexico products,
livestock, and processed foods; commodity
promotions; specialty crop development; produce
quality inspection; market news; agricultural
statistics; and licensing of produce brokers and
packers.

Standards and Consumer Services – oversees
the Consumer Services Bureau, which provides
weighmaster licensing and inspection of weighing
and measuring devices, packaged commodities,
eggs, and dairy products; the Petroleum Standard
Bureau, which provides inspection of petroleum
measuring devices and quality of petroleum
products; and supervises the metrology and
petroleum standards laboratories.

Petroleum Standards Laboratory
– provides analyses of official samples in the
enforcement of petroleum product quality
standards and specifications and offers
sample analyses on a fee basis for industry
and other agencies.
Veterinary Diagnostic Services – performs
diagnostic analyses of animal specimens on a
referral basis from veterinarians and agencies
to determine the cause of death or to identify
diseases; works with the Office of Medical
Investigator and the New Mexico Department of
Health.
Metrology Laboratory – maintains custody
of official state standards for mass, volume,
5
Overview
The preplanning work for NMDA’s strategic planning initiative began in August 2003. The
search conference (SC) method used to develop the strategic plan is a planning model for
strategy development in ever-changing global environments. The process includes issue-based
planning through assessments of the internal and external environments.
Two groups of New Mexicans were selected to consider the future role of NMDA from
a strategic planning perspective. An external group was drawn from NMDA’s varied
constituencies in the state, and an internal group was selected from the NMDA employee pool.
The first group (external) consisted of 42 people from the agricultural and natural resource
sectors and state and federal agencies. This group was chosen based on their knowledge in
particular areas (water issues, livestock, crops, land management, etc.). The second group
(internal) consisted of 32 NMDA employees, including senior managers. They represented
those whose responsibility it is to implement planning outcomes. As a result, this report on
NMDA’s 2008 strategic direction embodies the values and expectations derived from the
participants’ knowledge and experience in the field and from a management and employee
perspective.
NMDA’s 2008 strategic direction is represented by the 2020 vision statement, the 2008 revised
mission, the NMDA priority areas, and the 2008 long-term strategic objectives.
Based on the outcome of the process and the statutes by which NMDA operates, the strategic
direction, vision, and mission were developed to provide a roadmap for the future.
6
Vision and Mission
NMDA 2020 Vision
NMDA is locally and nationally recognized for excellence, responsiveness, professionalism, and
proactive advocacy and promotion of New Mexico’s agricultural industries.
NMDA Mission 2008
As a constitutionally established, cabinet-level agency and as part of NMSU, NMDA is dedicated
to serving the citizens of New Mexico and enhancing the image of the agricultural industry. The
agency:
•
Ensures a safe and secure food supply and a uniform and fair market place.
•
Protects natural resources and the environment.
•
Promotes marketing and trade domestically and internationally.
•
Works cooperatively with Congress; state legislature; federal, state, local, and tribal entities;
private industry; and the public.
7
Global Marketplace Development
Priority Area 1
Strategic Goal:
Key Facts
NMDA publishes annually the Agricultural Statistics Bulletin,
agricultural County Sheets, Ag Facts, and Dairy Facts.
Provide expertise to develop and implement
comprehensive international and domestic
marketing programs.
NMDA works through an arrangement of consortia
including the College of Agriculture and Home
Economics; New Mexico food distributors, producers, and
retailers; and Mexican States Cattlemen’s Association to
market New Mexico products.
Objectives:

Enhance and facilitate domestic and
international trade and marketing for
New Mexico products in current and
emerging markets.

Develop programs for agricultural
production, processing, marketing, and
distribution through partnerships and
legislative efforts.

Provide leadership for nontraditional group
program development.

Evaluate emerging technologies and
application to New Mexico agriculture.
NMDA continues to maintain market share and develop
new markets in Mexico for livestock, agriculture products,
and equipment. Marketing activities, in cooperation with
the United States Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., include
tradeshows, livestock expositions, advertising, promotions,
and buying missions. In 2003 NMDA assisted in sales to
Mexico of $6 million.
NMDA is a member of the Western United States
Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA), a cooperator
with USDA Foreign Agricultural Service. Through
WUSATA, NMDA has developed market share with
numerous international markets for New Mexico pecans,
produce, and food ingredients.
In the Agricultural Statistics Bulletin for 2002, the top five
agricultural commodities in New Mexico include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Wholesale milk
Cattle and calves
Hay
Greenhouse nursery
Other field crops
$743,869,000
593,336,000
185,841,000
61,350,000
57,655,000
The top six crops listed for New Mexico in 2002 include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
8
Hay
Greenhouse nursery
Other field crops
Onions
Chile
Pecans
$185,841,000
61,350,000
57,655,000
55,000,000
49,800,000
45,000,000
Food Safety and Food Security
Priority Area 2
Strategic Goal:
Key Facts
NMDA implemented an emergency response plan in 2003 for
the agricultural component of biosecurity.
Provide consumer and industry protection to
ensure a safe and secure food supply.
The Office of Agricultural Biosecurity was created in
coordination with other NMSU entities in 2003.
Objectives:

NMDA is working to protect our food supply in coordination
with various departments of New Mexico state government,
industry representatives, and federal partners.
Develop and maintain solutions to security
issues in partnership with domestic and
international agencies and entities to meet
homeland security needs.
NMDA collects commodity samples, which are tested by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for pesticide residues
as part of a national commodity surveillance program.

Review and update statutory requirements
to safeguard the food supply.

Provide training and appropriate resources
to quickly and effectively respond to
emergency situations.
NMDA conducts inspections of retail nursery establishments,
wholesale growing areas, and commercial transportation
vehicles to ensure quarantined plant pests and diseases are not
introduced into New Mexico.

Develop public relations/education
campaign to increase public knowledge of
food, plant, and animal safety and security
issues in New Mexico.
Veterinary Diagnostics Services, using three pathologists,
supports the agricultural industry and veterinary profession
with animal disease diagnostics via in-house laboratory
procedures of on-site field investigation and handles
approximately 16,000 samples each year.

Provide accurate and timely diagnosis of
disease conditions in food, fiber, plant,
and companion animal species via use of
laboratory facilities and field investigations.
As part of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy
surveillance, NMDA conducts feed inspections at producer,
manufacturer, distributor, and retail levels across the state.

Function as a liaison among various
government agencies and the private sector
to address animal health concerns.

Review and update diagnostic methodology
regularly to ensure accurate, reliable, and
timely results addressing plant and animal
health concerns.
Since 1998, NMDA
has contracted with
FDA to conduct
comprehensive
federal inspections
at commercial feed
manufacturers in
New Mexico.
9
Natural Resources and Environmental Quality
Priority Area 3
Strategic Goal:
Key Facts
Address sustainable use and prudent management
of natural resources
NMDA partners with the Natural Resources Conservation
Service and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts to
support 47 soil and water district operations.
Objectives:
NMDA performs Section 8 consultations between federal
agencies and ranchers.

Participate in natural resource policy and
planning processes in the protection of natural
resources and promote the sustainability of
New Mexico agriculture.

Strengthen partnerships with local, state,
federal, and tribal entities; private citizens;
and nongovernmental entities.

NMDA maintains a cooperative agreement with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure
protection of the environment such as endangered species
and ground water from risks resulting from pesticide
production, distribution, use, and disposal.
NMDA administers the Noxious Weed and Brush Control
Program, which includes the following:

Support research to promote the long-term
viability of agriculture and the state’s natural
resources.



Provides assistance to local weed management
programs.
Works with the NMSU Cooperative Extension Service
and pueblo and tribal lands on weed management.
Provides leadership for the New Mexico Nonnative
Phreatophyte Management Program.
Works with New Mexico Crop Improvement
Association to develop a noxious weed-free forage
program.
NMDA serves as a state base for agriculture policy decisions
on natural resources.


Works with all state water-related programs affecting
agriculture including the Western Governors’
Association – National Integrated Drought Information
System as a core team member.
Works with all state and federal wildlife programs.
NMDA is chairing the 2004 National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture’s Biotechnology Task Force.
NMDA administers the Acequia and Community Ditch
Fund, which offers grants to acequia and community ditches
for the purposes of adjudicating water rights.
10
Food, Health, and Consumer Awareness
Priority Area 4
Strategic Goal:
Key Facts
NMDA maintains a website at www.nmda.nmsu.edu for
dissemination of consumer and industry information.
Develop and promote public awareness and
programs linking agriculture to food, health, and
consumer safety.
A new ultrafiltration process for raw milk was developed in
New Mexico enabling longer transport distances, ensuring
greater food safety.
Objectives:

Create public awareness for emerging diseases
and health issues through partnerships.

Promote healthy nutrition through the use
of New Mexico products for various food
programs and farmers’ markets.
In 2003, 36 farmers’ markets throughout New Mexico
generated in excess of $3 million in sales.
NMDA is a national leader in the Farms-to-School
Program, which allows school children the opportunity to
enjoy fresh New Mexican-grown fruits and vegetables.
The USDA-sponsored Women, Infants, and Children
Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program enables young women
to access fresh fruits and vegetables through farmers’
markets.
NMDA has developed a close working relationship with
all American and Mexican border states in areas of food
security, border security, and international trade expansion.
New Mexico is the lead state in border biosecurity issues.
11
Economic Development and
Value-Added Processing
Priority Area 5
Strategic Goal:
Key Facts
In cooperation with retail grocers, the New Mexico Market
showcases over 1,500 items from 70 New Mexico food
companies.
Develop programs and policies to enhance
marketing and trade of agricultural products,
rural economic development, and small-scale and
nontraditional agriculture.
In 2002 agricultural producers in New Mexico generated
nearly $2 billion in cash receipts for their products.
Objectives:

In 2001 wholesale milk became the No. 1 income generator of
agriculture products with cash receipts at $814.5 million.
Provide support to small-scale and
nontraditional agriculture groups.
o Farmers’ markets
o Farm-to-table
o Niche markets
o Organic product promotion
o Agro-tourism opportunities
o Specialty crops

Investigate and develop opportunities to add
value to additional raw agricultural products.

Collaborate with other agencies and entities for
current and emerging economic development
opportunities on the United States/Mexico
border.
New Mexico has the largest mozzarella cheese plant in the
world, which produces 5 square miles of cheese per day.
New Mexico is ranked No. 7 in milk production in the
United States.
According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, there were
15,200 farms in New Mexico.
According to the 2002 Census of Agriculture, 89 percent of
the farms in New Mexico are individually or family owned
while 6 percent are partnerships, 4 percent corporation, and
1 percent other.
In cooperation with food manufacturers, growers, distributors,
and produce brokers, New Mexico onions, chile, watermelons,
pumpkins, and processed foods have been sold in major state
and regional retail stores including Albertsons, Wal-Mart
Supercenters, Smith’s Food and Drug, Raley’s, Ralphs, H-E-B
Grocery Stores, Affiliated Foods, Winn Dixie, and others.
In cooperation with the New Mexico Specialty Foods
Association, NMDA coordinates the largest promotion of
New Mexico processed foods at the New Mexico State Fair.
Over 100 companies featuring 800 products are showcased.
NMDA entered into an agreement with USDA to
distribute nonfat dry milk (NDM) to ranchers in droughtstricken areas of New Mexico. With the assistance of the
NMSU Cooperative Extension Service, NMDA provided
approximately 7.5 million pounds of NDM to 736 individuals
from May 2003 to April 2004.
12
Agency Leadership and Management Capacity
Priority Area 6
Strategic Goals:
A. Lead through professionalism, excellence,
responsiveness, and proactive advocacy for
New Mexico agriculture.
B. Provide leadership, vision, and support for
NMDA personnel.
Objective A:

Advocate for New Mexico’s agriculture and
promote public awareness of agriculture’s
importance.

Increase public awareness of NMDA’s roles
in agriculture and consumer services.

Assume a leadership role to encourage,
promote, and initiate active communication
and cooperation among various federal,
state, local, and tribal government agencies.
Key Facts
NMDA has implemented new awards and recognition
programs for personnel.
NMDA has implemented performance-based programming
and budgeting.
Objective B:

Continue to attract and retain quality
personnel.

Provide professional development and
leadership opportunities.

Maintain a safe and positive work
environment.

Maintain state-of-the-art technology for
NMDA employees to ensure productivity
and quality performance.
Administrative functions have been restructured to provide
operational effectiveness and efficiency.
By bringing the PC server network in-house, NMDA is
building its internal capacity for information technology and
communications for future development.
NMDA supports the agricultural industry through
cooperative efforts with the New Mexico Farm and
Livestock Bureau, New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association,
New Mexico Beef Council, New Mexico Wool Growers
Association, Dairy Producers of New Mexico, New Mexico
Livestock Board, Union Ganadera Regional de Chihuahua,
and the Union Ganadera Regional de Sonora.
13
Regulatory Compliance
Priority Area 7
Strategic Goal:
Key Facts
Maintain regulatory compliance through
cooperative relationships with industries,
agencies, and the public to ensure consumer
protection and a uniform market place.
NMDA is organized into five divisions and is responsible
for 38 laws and regulations.
The Metrology Laboratory houses the state standards
and performs approximately 6,000 calibrations a year for
industry and government entities.
Objectives:

Maintain necessary resources to ensure quick
and effective response to emergencies.

Provide consumer and industry protection
through development and enhancement of
programs.

Ensure a safe and secure food supply and a
uniform, fair market place.

The Petroleum Laboratory performs approximately 8,000
samples a year to ensure fuel and petroleum products
quality.
NMDA works closely with New Mexico’s regulated
industry associations including New Mexico grocers,
petroleum marketers, New Mexico Pest Management
Association, New Mexico Crop Production Association,
and the New Mexico Association of Nursery Industries.
Field inspectors perform inspections at retail establishments
to ensure consumer goods meet various standards of
quality, quantity, and labeling. This includes commodity
inspections (milk, eggs, produce), livestock and pet foods,
seed, fertilizer, pesticides, petroleum products (gasoline, oil,
antifreeze), ornamental plants, and cut flowers.
Review and update statutory requirements
to safeguard consumers, industry, and the
environment.
NMDA provides training and educational programs to
assist the industry to ensure regulatory compliance.
NMDA field inspectors perform more than 60,000
inspections annually.
14
15
Boards and Commissions - Participation and Membership
American Association of Feed Control Officials
American Association of Pesticide Control Officials
American Association of Plant Food Control
Officials
American Association of Seed Control Officials
American Association of Veterinary Laboratory
Diagnostician accredited
American Society for Testing and Materials,
International
Association of Official Seed Analysts
Association of Official Analytical Chemists,
International
Association of Pesticide Safety Educators
Association of Structural Pesticide Control
Regulatory Officials
Black-tailed prairie dog, lesser prairie chicken, and
jaguar working groups
Bureau of Land Management, Resource Advisory
Council
Dairy Producers of New Mexico
Elk/Livestock Task Force
Game Management Unit 34, Pilot Group
(Elk/Livestock Task Force)
Governors’ Drought Task Force
Interagency Weed Action Group
Mexican Wolf Adaptive Management Oversight
Committee
Mid-Continent Exchange Group
Middle Rio Grande Endangered Species Act
Collaborative Program Steering Committee
National Conference of Interstate Milk Shipments
National Conference on Weights and Measures
National Plant Board
Natural Resources Conservation Service State
Technical Committee
New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts
New Mexico Beef Council
New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association
New Mexico Chile Commission
New Mexico Dry Onion Commission
New Mexico Peanut Research Board
New Mexico Sheep and Goal Council
New Mexico Soil and Water Commission
New Mexico Specialty Foods Association
New Mexico Vegetation Management Association
New Mexico Wool Growers Association
North American Agricultural Marketing Officials
North American Weed Management Association
Northern New Mexico Stockman’s Association
Otero County Grazing Advisory Board
Paso del Norte Watershed Commission
Paso del Norte Watershed Council
Resource Conservation and Development
Councils
Rocky Mountain Gasoline Testing Exchange
Southwest Assurance Program
Southwest Strategy
State Agency Workgroup for Nonnative
Phreatophyte Management
Texas Regional Exchange Group
Upper Rio Grande Environmental Impact
Statement Work Group
Upper Rio Grande Water Operations Model
Steering Committee and Interdisciplinary
National Environmental Policy Act,
Environmental Impact Statement Team
Water Quality Control Commission
Water Trust Board
Western Coordinating Committee 55 – Rangeland
Policy and Economics
Western Research Committee 192 – Public Land
Policy and Rural Communities in the West:
Impacts and Alternatives
Western Weed Coordinating Committee
Western Weights and Measures Association
16