(Courtesy Photo)

By Mary Alice Murphy

Silver City's Henry Torres was honored at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum on Saturday, Aug. 27, as the Museum paid tribute to its founders.

"The evening was a great experience," Torres told the Beat. "It was real humbling to receive this honor Saturday evening."

He said he served as the vice chairman of the foundation and then served a term on the board, appointed by Gov. Gary Johnson.

"I served two years as chairman of the board, and then when I was elected Grant County commissioner, it made me ineligible to serve on the board," Torres said.

He said Grant County has been involved since the inception of the museum, with Rep. G.H. McSherry, a native of Grant County, as one of the legislators that made it possible.

He said Jupe and Jeanie Means, Mule Creek ranchers, gave an endowment to the museum and donated a windmill, which still stands at the museum.

"I helped design the tower," Torres said. "Steve and Pat Bearup took their boom truck to erect it at the museum. Gene Simon, also of Grant County, served on the board, appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson.

"I had the privilege of being involved in the museum with many of the movers and shakers in New Mexico agriculture and ranching," Torres said.

He cited the names of Marvin Ake, a Datil rancher; Ralph Hackey, a Hatch farmer; Imogene Cervantes, one of the founders of the Chili Pepper Institute; Dr. Gerald Thomas, dean of agriculture at New Mexico State University; Dr. Roland Sanchez, physician and rancher from Belen; Felicia Thal and Linda Davis, northern New Mexico ranchers; Max Evans, New Mexico author; Abe Pe+