Agricultural Preparedness Training

Join Us March 24-27, 2026

For an AGRICULTURAL PREPAREDNESS TRAINING - Swift Action, Safe Harvest: Preparedness Training for Agricultural Emergencies.

RSVP by March 10, 2026

Register for the training here

A USDA-sponsored event through the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program

  • Target audiences include law enforcement, federal agents, emergency stakeholders, extension, and agricultural educators
  • Hands-on and application-based instruction
  • Travel assistance available by request of attendees

The Southwest Border Food Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center was awarded a USDA grant aimed at enhancing New Mexico’s Agriculture Disaster Preparedness and Response Program. As a part of this initiative the Center is offering training opportunities for law enforcement, federal agents, first responders, veterinarians, Extension personnel, agricultural educators, and agricultural producers. The registration fee for these trainings is being funded by USDA, resulting in no cost to the participants. Travel Assistance is available to ensure all interested individuals can attend without financial barriers.

3.5-Day Agricultural Preparedness Training in Las Cruces, NM, November 18-21, 2025.

The Agriculture Preparedness Training (APT) will include comprehensive, hands-on training for law enforcement stakeholders, federal agents, emergency managers, NM Livestock Board members, veterinarians, Extension personnel, agricultural educators, and agricultural producers to be prepared for responding to events related to the food and agricultural sector. Participants will also visit various agricultural sites to reinforce real- world examples in agricultural preparedness.

Topics will include: overview of food and agriculture infrastructure; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) threats; agricultural emergency preparedness issues; intelligence and assessments; cattle ranch to slaughter issues; food and agriculture incident operations; investigative challenges when recognizing agroterrorism; animal diseases; plant diseases; public health issues related to zoonotic diseases; risk and crisis communication; feed, seed, and fertilizer components; and supply chain impacts. Please reach out to Marshal Wilson mwilson@nmda.nmsu.edu with questions.

ada graphic
If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service, please contact Janet Witte by March 9 at jswitte@nmsu.edu or call at 575-646-5949.

New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.

For inquiries, please contact:

ATTN: Janet Witte, NMSU
Southwest Border Food Protection & Emergency Preparedness Center
MSC 3AE, P.O. Box 30003
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
Phone: 575-646-5949
Email: jswitte@nmsu.edu