Progress report for WNM22-001
Project Information
The New Mexico State Development Program will provide training in sustainable agriculture concepts geared towards production in our arid environment, information on new crops to expand markets and economic opportunity, and engage community participants towards enriching the quality of life for New Mexicans. The training will be provided through the annual NM Sustainable Agriculture Conference that will be a two day event and include hands-on field exercises for in-person participants.
The objective of this project is to present training modules in key sustainable agriculture topics critical for agricultural professionals in New Mexico including:
- Measuring and building healthy soil in arid climates / field demonstrations in taking soil samples, measuring soil quality, cover crop options, and soil amendment options.
- Options for maximizing irrigation efficiency in arid land agriculture / field overview of the JFG drip irrigation system.
- Integrated pest management limiting chemical inputs / field tour of weed identification, how to diagnose diseases and disorders in the field.
- Alternative crops to expand marketing opportunities for local producers / field tour of underutilized and heat tolerant vegetables in production at the JFG.
The NM Sustainable Agriculture Conference was first initiated in 2004 with support from the New Mexico WSARE PDP program. The conference initially rotated throughout New Mexico to partner with different county Extension offices, then settled into Valencia County for several years. For the next three years, the NM WSARE Advisory Committee plans to hold the annual conference at the recently completed Las Cruces Convention Center. This complex is adjacent to both the New Mexico State University main campus and convenient lodging for the benefit of participants traveling to Las Cruces to attend the training. The Convention Center also neighbors the Jose Fernandez Garden (JFG) where field demonstrations will be presented to compliment conference presentations.
Advisors
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Education
The NM Sustainable Conference will be presented in a hybrid form with formal conference presentations being supplemented with hands-on training activities taking place in the neighboring JFG field. The conveniently located JFG maintains mixed trials of underutilized and heat tolerant vegetables, but was also established utilizing best production practices for sustainability in the arid, desert climate. The conferences will take place in early summer each year and will be two-day events to allow for the field training component.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
This event was designed to bring together agricultural professionals from around the state to discuss challenges to sustainable agriculture in NM, learn about WSARE and NM projects supported by this program, and identify priority areas for future projects.
ON March 30, 2023, the western region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Extension New Mexico State Program (WSARE) coordinated a summit in Santa Fe, NM at the Cooperative Extension office (3229 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87507). Participants were welcomed to the summit by Jeff Witte, New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture, Director and NM Secretary of Agriculture, and Jenna Meeks, Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program, Coordinator. Steve Kadas, previously with the New Mexico Association of Conservation Districts Program Manager, and currently a Soil Health Specialist with Soil Health LLC, provided the opening address discussing key sustainable agriculture concerns in NM.
Invited panelists included past WSARE grant recipients and individuals who submitted proposals including:
- Cristóbal Valencia, Northern New Mexico Stockman’s Assoc., Researcher/Anthropologist; Carlos Salazar, Producer Representative Northern New Mexico Stockman's Association; Donald Martinez, Rio Arriba County Agricultural Extension Agent
WSARE PROJECT: The Future of Livestock Grazing on New Mexico's National Forests - Brian Schutte, New Mexico State Univ. Dept. of Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science, Professor
WSARE PROJECT: On-farm investigation of stale seedbeds with biofumigation for improved management of weeds and soil-borne disease - Eva Stricker, Univ. of New Mexico, Biology Dept., Assistant Professor and Director of the Quivira Coalition's Carbon Ranch Initiative
WSARE PROJECT: Compost-derived microbial dispersal in rangelands - Marcy Ward, New Mexico State Univ., Dept. of Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, Extension Livestock Specialist
WSARE PROJECT: Evaluation of water and feed intake of purebred cattle in confinement and on arid rangelands, and its implications on selection principles - Charles Havlik, New Mexico State Univ., Los Lunas Ag. Science Center, Senior Research Specialist
WSARE PROJECT: Initiation of a New Mexico Participatory Vegetable Breeding Program
Following the panel discussion, participants brainstormed critical sustainable agriculture project needs for producers in NM, focusing on research and training needs not previously emphasized in past funding.
Topics that participants identified as critical but underfunded include:
Irrigation/Water Use Efficiency: Farmers in NM can increase their irrigation efficiency by adopting modern techniques and technologies developed for arid regions. For instance, implementing precision drip irrigation can significantly reduce wasted water by delivering water directly to the root zone and minimizing loss due to evaporation. Incorporating soil moisture sensor and weather-based irrigation controllers empowers farmers to synchronize irrigation schedules with actual crop needs and current weather to prevent overwatering. In addition, the investigation of drought tolerant crops and implementing crop rotation strategies that work in concert with water availability will also support long-term water conservation efforts. Financial support for education programs, incentives, and research are needed to support farmers in transitioning to more efficient irrigation practices.
Farm Economics, Direct Markets, Direct Sales: Providing training in alternative market venues for producers in NM was cited as a critical need. These venues are increasing in importance, but many producers need training in navigating these methods.
Non-traditional production: Urban Agriculture, Greenhouses/Container Farming, Perennial/Agriforestry production systems are increasing in importance for local food production. Additional research and training in these areas was cited as a critical need in NM.
Pest management: Producers face significant challenges in protecting their crops and livestock from competing pests. In particular, keeping wildlife separate from livestock and production fields, keeping troublesome birds out of production acreage, and bindweed/deep rooted perennial weed management without herbicides were cited as critical needs in NM.
Labor aids, Technology Adaptation: Routinely used by larger operations, smaller-scale farmers and ranchers need access to advanced technology to deal with increasing production challenges and enhance their productivity and efficiency. To bridge the technology gap, technologies in mechanical harvest, robotics, and artificial intelligence need to be affordable, accessible, and producers need to be trained in their use.
Generational Transfer and Access to Land: Access to land is a serious impediment to producers wishing to begin a career in crop and livestock production. The high cost of land, inheritance practices, bureaucratic complexities and navigating legal requirements discourage both beginners and those wishing to continue established, family operations. Addressing these challenges is critical to support the next generation of producers and was cited as a priority for production sustainability in NM.
The objective of this project is to present training modules in key sustainable agriculture topics critical for agricultural professionals in New Mexico including:
-Measuring and building healthy soil in arid climates / field demonstrations in taking soil samples, measuring soil quality, cover crop options, and soil amendment options.
-Options for maximizing irrigation efficiency in arid land agriculture / field overview of drip irrigation systems.
-Integrated pest management limiting chemical inputs / field tour of weed identification, how to diagnose diseases and disorders in the field.
-Alternative crops to expand marketing opportunities for local producers / field tour of underutilized and heat tolerant vegetables in production.
The 2023 NM Agriculture Sustainability Workshop was held at the Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, near Albuquerque, NM, May 17-18, 2023.
Conference presenters and presentations included:
Leslie Beck - Extension Weeds Specialist, Extension Plant Sciences, NMSU
-Weeds Walk (field)
-OMRI Approved Herbicides (inside)
Gabriella Coughlin - Soil Lab Manager, Agronomist, Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District
-Interpreting Soil Analysis (inside)
-Soil Pit Analysis (field)
Steve Glass – Chair on the Board of Supervisors for the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District
-Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District (inside)
Casey Holland - Head Farmer, Chispas Farms
-Alternative Marketing Options (inside)
Joanie King – Extension Entomology Specialist, Extension Plant Sciences, NMSU
-Insect Walk (field)
-Insect Pest Management: Aphids, Squash Bugs, Grasshoppers, Beet Leafhoppers (inside)
James MacDonald - Professor Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
-Incorporating /Animal Husbandry and Crop Production (inside)
Joshua O’Halloran - Agricultural Program Manager, Larry P. Abraham Agri-Nature Center
-Farm Tour with Beekeeping Demo (field)
Delia Pastran-Garcia - Engineer, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA
-Irrigation Demonstration (field)
Kelvin Shenk - Farm Manager, Rio Grande Community Farm
-Tools, Implements & Small Equipment (field)
Blair Stringam - Professor, Plant & Environmental Sciences, NMSU
-Irrigation Systems for Small Farms (inside)
Joran Viers - Horticultural Consultant, ISA Board Certified Master Arborist
-Fruit Tree/Bush Options for New Mexico (inside)
-Fruit Tree/Bush Management (field)
Jaime Welles - Executive Director, Rio Grande Community Farm
-Farm Tour / Farm Incubator (field)
Based on pre- and post- evaluations, workshop participants reported an increased level of understanding in topics presented as follows:
Sustainable Agriculture Concerns in NM = 38%
Understanding of the Rio Grande Community Farm = 68%
Animal Husbandry and Crop Production = 53%
Cuidad Soil and Water Conservation District = 68%
Interpretation of Soil Analysis = 46%
Irrigation Systems for Small Farms = 61%
Beekeeping in New Mexico = 36%
Weeds in New Mexico = 25%
Insects and Insect Issues in New Mexico = 36%
Alternative Marketing Options = 43%
OMRI Approved Herbicides = 47%
Fruit Tree and Bush Options and Management in New Mexico = 33%
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Face of SARE
The WSARE New Mexico State Program is promoted in several ways including:
-Advisory Committee members widely share information on upcoming events with their internal connections and their client database.
-Press releases are prepared by NMSU Communications and shared widely with media outlets for each event coordinated.
-The WSARE NM State Program maintains a website to archive program events.
-Program events are shared on social media including New Mexico State University's 'Desert Blooms'.