

Jessica Hays and Zakery Speir of Deming were among twenty-eight teens from across New Mexico who took part in the unique event for future ranch managers.
Speir is a 2014 graduate of Deming High, and Hays will begin her senior year next month.
Luna County Extension Program Director Jack Blandford was a ranch camp co-director.
The youth ranch management program focused on providing hands-on training for future ranch managers and stewards of New Mexico’s natural resources.
Camp participants selected for the program came from 21 New Mexico counties to learn science-based skills used successfully on modern-day ranches to improve beef production, natural resource stewardship, wildlife management and fiscal management.
During the weeklong camp, participants reportedly were challenged 12 hours a day with a college-level curriculum of hands-on activities and lectures.
The program is an expansion of the research and education contractual agreement between NMSU and the Valles Caldera Trust.