Who we are

Katie (Strom) Ramsey grew up on a cow-calf, corn and soybean farm in Southeastern, South Dakota. She was active in the Beresford FFA Chapter in many different CDE's and LDE's and National FFA Chorus. She has lived in Alamogordo for almost twenty years with her husband and two children. Katie is a business owner, cattle producer, 4-H and FFA volunteer, and the NM Club Calf Director. She taught agriculture education for four years. She also serves on the National FFA Alumni and Supporters Advisory Committee as Chair-Elect and Alamogordo Alumni and Supporters Chapter. Katie was honored to be selected as the Western Region Outstanding 4-H Volunteer in 2024 with National 4-H and inducted into the NM 4-H Hall of Fame in 2022. Katie graduated from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science and a Masters in Agriculture and Extension Education from New Mexico State University. She is passionate about supporting the FFA members, Ag Teachers, and the future of agriculture of NM.

Elizabeth Foster grew began her career in 2000, with Arizona Farm Bureau and joined Oregon Farm Bureau in the Spring of 2025, as Director of Membership and Organization. Prior to coming to Oregon, she served New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau as the Chief Executive Officer for almost two and a half years. She has served the organization in various roles including regulatory lobbying, field services and Executive Director of Maricopa County Farm Bureau. Elizabeth’s passion in Farm Bureau is equipping leaders with the ability and opportunity to lead various parts of the organization, to build a leadership succession plan for all levels of Farm Bureau and to assist volunteers to engage in their local communities and make them stronger.

She is a graduate of Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and a Master of Agriculture in Animal Science, Ag Education and Political Science. She holds a certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from Arizona State University and was named the 2024 Executive of the Year for the New Mexico Society of Association Executives. In addition, she is a 2024 graduate of Leadership New Mexico Core program. Her family owned a cow-calf operation in Central Oregon for many generations. During her time in Arizona, she was very active with the Arizona FFA Foundation and served as Vice President, chairman of the Governance Committee, and co-chair of the Blue and Gold Gala.

Ashley (Riley) White is a partner at Gavilan Solutions, a regulatory compliance and lobbying firm, as well as at Verde Realty, a ranch brokerage. With over 20 years of experience in the political field, she has strong connections to New Mexico's agricultural community. As a native New Mexican, a former State FFA Officer, and a fourth-generation FFA member, Ashley understands the importance of giving back to the programs that have shaped her life. She lives in Texico, NM, with her family, where they enjoy spending their free time in the barn, showing animals, and managing their club lamb operation. Ashley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management from New Mexico State University and is a Certified Appraiser and Associate Broker.

Larry Reagan has been a Farm Bureau member since 1998. He served as county president of De Baca County Farm and Livestock Bureau, 2nd vice president and 1st vice president on the NMF&LB Board of Directors. He currently serves as NMF&LB president. He and his wife, Kathy, have a cow-calf operation north of Fort Sumner, NM. They have been married for 40 years. They have two sons they raised and another young man who entered their life when he was in high school. They have nine grandchildren.

Ashley Thompson is a Marketing Specialist at AgTrust Farm Credit in Albuquerque, where she plays a key role in various marketing efforts, including website management, digital outreach, branding, and coordinating conferences across the state. Her passion for agriculture is rooted in her upbringing in Edgewood, NM, where she was actively involved in raising and showing livestock through the 4-H and FFA programs in Santa Fe County and Moriarty FFA. She is deeply committed to giving back to the community that has supported her, and this dedication is reflected in her service on multiple boards such as the New Mexico Junior Livestock Foundation and the NMCGA Young Cattlemen's Committee. Ashley earned her Bachelor's degree in Animal and Dairy Science from Eastern New Mexico University in 2016.

Her combination of expertise in marketing and her strong ties to agriculture and youth-oriented organizations underscores her commitment to both her profession and the community.

My FFA story really began in Carlsbad, NM when my older brother was in FFA with Mr. Stanley Johnson. Mr. Johnson took me under his wing and let me help with his horses and around the ag farm. Unfortunately, as a son of a salesman, we moved quite often and I ended up moving to Garden City, TX where I completed my Freshman year under Mr. Mann competing and participating in events such as the Live TV and Radio. After that I moved to Hereford, TX where I completed 3 years under 2 different ag teachers, both named Mr. Robinson. Here I judged and raised pigs and steers. In addition, it was here during my senior year working in the Ag Work Program that I worked half day at the feed store in town and went to school half day, creating my love and drive to one day own my own feed store. Today, I have two feed stores, one in Carlsbad, NM, and one in Artesia, NM, called DD Feeds, where I have the pleasure of working with Farmers and Ranchers and 4H and FFA kids each day. In addition, I can say that I really love FFA, as I am married to the Agriculture Science/FFA advisor in Carlsbad, Leslie Clark-Spearman.

Justin is an accomplished educator with a Master's Degree in Music Education and a certification in School Administration. With extensive experience teaching Performing Arts and Metal Shop courses, he is dedicated to fostering a creative and hands-on learning environment. Currently serving as the Assistant Principal of Operations at School of Dreams Academy, Justin works to enhance educational experiences and support student engagement.

As a recognized PowerSchool Champion and past New Mexico User Group Leader, he advocates for effective data management and technology integration in education. Additionally, Justin is an active member of the Innovation Zone Cohort Alignment team, collaborating with fellow educators to drive innovative practices in CTE education. A proud supporter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA), he believes in the importance of agricultural education and its role in developing leadership and teamwork skills among students

Julian Marta is an agriculture education teacher in Truth or Consequences, NM and is one of the two FFA Advisors for the Hot Springs FFA Chapter. Julian is in his 14th year teaching, ten at Hot Springs High School and four at Reserve High School, both in New Mexico. Julian grew up near the town of Sierra Blanca, Texas raised on ranches and has been involved in agriculture his whole life through cattle ranching, showing livestock and through his involvement in 4H and FFA. Julian attended New Mexico State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a Minor in International Business and then a Masters of Education in Agriculture and Extension Education. After teaching several years, Julian returned to school at Eastern New Mexico University to earn a certificate in Educational Administration. Julian is the Career and Technical Education (CTE) coordinator at the Truth or Consequences Municipal School District and currently serves as President of the New Mexico Agriculture Education Teachers Association. Some of Julian's proudest accomplishments are growing the Hot Springs FFA to a two teacher program with nearly 200 members and helping with the many success stories of his students and FFA members.