Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.
Agriculture as Economic Development
Plan Goals
To work with producers, planners and public officials in New Mexico metropolitan regions to develop and demonstrate mechanisms and strategies for enhancing the viability and competitiveness of agriculture as a viable economic alternative.
Impact Reports
Activities
Major activities included in this long-term major program include assisting, networking with, and participating in numerous groups involved in agricultural preservation throughout Bernalillo County.
Agent is a member of the Mid-region Council of Governments Agricultural Collaborative and interacts regularly with local farmer’s market leadership, government officials, non-profit groups, and producers to help promote and preserve agriculture in the region. Presented to over 50 attendees a program showcasing New Mexico’s work on the new eXtension system. Worked as a planning committee member and help produce the first Food and Farm Festival that took place at the historic Hubell House in the South Valley. Work is currently in progress on developing a comprehensive agricultural mailing list in cooperation with the Mid-region Council of Governments.
Agent is a member of the Governing Board of the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council. The council has been successful in developing policies that benefit both producers and consumers across the state. Examples include assessing New Mexico’s food gap; limiting the amount of "junk food" available to schoolchildren and replacing it with healthy alternatives; the Seniors Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program; the NM Tribal Extension Initiative and many others. Work is on going to implement some while others will require more time.
Agent is coordinating a group of NMSU Faculty and community members that is investigating agricultural alternatives to urban development in the South Valley. This multi-year effort is design to allow key representatives of the community to develop their own set of priorities which will allow the planning process to begin. About 2 ½ years ago Senator Linda Lopez of Albuquerque appropriated approximately $1millon over 2 years to NMSU to begin the project and purchase land to conduct programs. Work is on going to purchase and develop a Small Scale Agriculture Education Center in the South Valley of Bernalillo County.
Planned and conducted two open houses to present the results of the discovery conferences that were conducted in the fall of 2007 by Rossana Alverez-Diemer. The conferences were conducted to gather data and prioritize goals of the South Valley community as they pertain to agriculture. The information is being used by the community to focus their efforts and it also resulted in a master’s thesis for one of Dr. Alverez-Diemer’s students.
Consulted with Leeann DeMouche and Rhonda Skaggs and was included as a Co-PI on an USDA NRI grant proposal entitled “Improving Agricultural Water Conservation and Economic Returns in a Rapidly Growing, Peri-Urban, Multicultural, Traditional Farming Community” If funded the research will focus on water and agricultural issues in the SV.
Results
The Food and Farm Festival was a great success. Over 700 attendees learned from three extension educators and others about local food production, food preparation and safety, growing fruit and vegetables, and the important history of agriculture in the SV.
As a result of the efforts described above Senator Lopez decided (on her own) that the Bernalillo County Extension Office should have more money to conduct programs in the SV. She appropriated $25,000.00 dollars to be used for that purpose.
One benefit of the efforts described in these paragraphs that is very real but difficult to measure is the increased visibility and credibility of NMSU and the Bernalillo County Extension Service in the SV. People are realizing that Extension must be a part of any successful agricultural program. The following two projects are a direct result of our increased recognition.
Was asked to be a cooperator on a grant application by the American Friends Network to USDA. If funded it will help three SV farmers develop hoop house systems that will enable them to provide salad greens year around to the Albuquerque Public Schools.
Co-authored a grant proposal in cooperation with the Rio Grande Community Farm to the New Mexico Commission on Volunteerism for an Americorps/ Vista volunteer to conduct a needs assessment on labor and other needs of small scale farmers in Bernalillo County. The position was funded for a year and work begins in October of 2008.
Major activities included in this long-term major program include assisting, networking with, and participating in numerous groups involved in agricultural preservation throughout Bernalillo County.
Agent is a member of the Mid-region Council of Governments Agricultural Collaborative and interacts regularly with local farmer’s market leadership, government officials, non-profit groups, and producers to help promote and preserve agriculture in the region. Presented to over 50 attendees a program showcasing New Mexico’s work on the new eXtension system. Worked as a planning committee member and help produce the first Food and Farm Festival that took place at the historic Hubell House in the South Valley. Work is currently in progress on developing a comprehensive agricultural mailing list in cooperation with the Mid-region Council of Governments.
Agent is a member of the Governing Board of the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council. The council has been successful in developing policies that benefit both producers and consumers across the state. Examples include assessing New Mexico’s food gap; limiting the amount of "junk food" available to schoolchildren and replacing it with healthy alternatives; the Seniors Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program; the NM Tribal Extension Initiative and many others. Work is on going to implement some while others will require more time.
Agent is coordinating a group of NMSU Faculty and community members that is investigating agricultural alternatives to urban development in the South Valley. This multi-year effort is design to allow key representatives of the community to develop their own set of priorities which will allow the planning process to begin. About 2 ½ years ago Senator Linda Lopez of Albuquerque appropriated approximately $1millon over 2 years to NMSU to begin the project and purchase land to conduct programs. Work is on going to purchase and develop a Small Scale Agriculture Education Center in the South Valley of Bernalillo County.
Planned and conducted two open houses to present the results of the discovery conferences that were conducted in the fall of 2007 by Rossana Alverez-Diemer. The conferences were conducted to gather data and prioritize goals of the South Valley community as they pertain to agriculture. The information is being used by the community to focus their efforts and it also resulted in a master’s thesis for one of Dr. Alverez-Diemer’s students.
Consulted with Leeann DeMouche and Rhonda Skaggs and was included as a Co-PI on an USDA NRI grant proposal entitled “Improving Agricultural Water Conservation and Economic Returns in a Rapidly Growing, Peri-Urban, Multicultural, Traditional Farming Community” If funded the research will focus on water and agricultural issues in the SV.
Results
The Food and Farm Festival was a great success. Over 700 attendees learned from three extension educators and others about local food production, food preparation and safety, growing fruit and vegetables, and the important history of agriculture in the SV.
As a result of the efforts described above Senator Lopez decided (on her own) that the Bernalillo County Extension Office should have more money to conduct programs in the SV. She appropriated $25,000.00 dollars to be used for that purpose.
One benefit of the efforts described in these paragraphs that is very real but difficult to measure is the increased visibility and credibility of NMSU and the Bernalillo County Extension Service in the SV. People are realizing that Extension must be a part of any successful agricultural program. The following two projects are a direct result of our increased recognition.
Was asked to be a cooperator on a grant application by the American Friends Network to USDA. If funded it will help three SV farmers develop hoop house systems that will enable them to provide salad greens year around to the Albuquerque Public Schools.
Co-authored a grant proposal in cooperation with the Rio Grande Community Farm to the New Mexico Commission on Volunteerism for an Americorps/ Vista volunteer to conduct a needs assessment on labor and other needs of small scale farmers in Bernalillo County. The position was funded for a year and work begins in October of 2008.
Often opportunities come along at extremely unexpected times or from unusual directions. This agent was contacted in the spring of 2008 by a writer with the National Geographic Magazine. She was seeking information about a picture taken in Roosevelt County in 1957. After a lengthy discussion this agent ended up being quoted in the National Geographic Magazine, September 2008 issue. After the release of that issue to news stands this agent was subsequently interviewed for a press release from the New Mexico State Communications Department. That interview has now been carried in two different local papers. This agent has also received numerous personal contacts as well as phone calls and emails about the National Geographic Article. This has brought positive attention to the Cooperative Extension Service as well as the occupation of an Agriculture Agent.
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.