Agriculture as Economic Development (Roosevelt County)

Each year this agent is asked to speak to the Agriculture Career class at Eastern New Mexico University. Over the past two years this agent has spoken to over 50 students with interest in some type of agriculture career. This provides a great opportunity to meet students each year and share the job requirements, benefits, and challenges presented by a career in the Cooperative Extension Service. This agent enjoys sharing personal career experiences with college students and believes they will be better equipped to make future employment decisions when they have had the opportunity to learn about different job opportunities.

New in 2008 at the New Mexico Ag Expo was the addition of the Dairy Pavilion, this building will host all dairy seminars, programs, and luncheons. The dairy industry is a large part of the economy and a new effort is being put forth by this agent, the State Dairy Specialist, and Dairy Farmer’s of America to reach out and make an impact on more dairy farmers in this area. This new subcommittee will allow for more targeted and timely programming to the dairy industry. In addition to the dairy programs this agent is responsible for determining and coordinating all educational seminars. This agent utilizes multiple sources of information to find timely and relevant information to present in the lectures. This agent also utilizes a variety of sources for speakers in order to find knowledgeable people to present this timely information. The goal of this agent is to supply information that improves daily lives or makes a positive economic impact on agricultural operations. 50% of the people that attended educational seminars said it would make a direct impact on how they make business decisions.

The Farmer’s Market is a vital part of small scale vegetable producers’ income here in Roosevelt County. The market is open two days a week of an evening and begins selling in July and continues on until frost. This agent along with the Home Economist sought to determine a means of assisting producers with sales and promotion of home grown vegetables. It was determined that an onsite demonstration of grilling techniques for vegetables would serve to promote and entice purchases. This agent and the Home Economist have now grilled twice at the market with great success. This opportunity provided educational materials to consumers about grilling recipes and food safety. The demonstration grilling also offered a great marketing tool for seasonal vegetables by filling the market with powerful aromas and serving as a conversation piece to visit with consumers. Those in attendance said they learned new ways to grill vegetables and were previously unknown and learned about healthier ways to prepare meals. Consumers who interacted with the Extension agents will be healthier because of the knowledge gained.

Patrick Kircher has signed on to support Agriculture as Economic Development within Roosevelt County.