SW New Mexico News

The Doña Ana County Farm & Livestock Bureau is offering free transportation for students on agricultural field trips. This initiative, part of the longstanding Doña Ana County Farm Bureau Free School Bus Program, aims to enhance agricultural literacy among students by providing them with hands-on learning experiences.

The program has been in operation for over two decades and continues to support educational trips that highlight local agriculture and its relevance to daily life. According to the organization, "Agricultural topics are vast and have many connections in the community." Students visiting places like the Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum or the NMSU College of Agriculture, Consumer & Environmental Sciences can explore various career paths in agriculture and engage with ongoing research efforts.

This year, the application process for the Free Bus Program is open to PreK-12 classrooms throughout Doña Ana County. Each school can apply for up to two buses, allowing a broad reach across different schools within the district. The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited availability.

Interested educators can submit their applications online at www.nmaitc.org under the "Happenings" tab or directly through https://form.jotform.com/62235931771154. The initiative is part of New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom (NMAITC), a non-profit educational outreach funded mainly by members of the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau.

The Doña Ana County Farm & Livestock Bureau is affiliated with the New Mexico Farm & Livestock Bureau, which represents approximately 19,000 members interested in farming, ranching, private property rights, and maintaining a local food supply. Established in 1917, it remains New Mexico's largest private agricultural organization. More information about membership can be found at www.nmflb.org or by calling 575-532-4703.