On August 16, 2006, Guru
Meher Kaur and I were really fascinated with all that was offered at the Alcalde Field Day!
It was put on by the New Mexico State University
Sustainable Agriculture Science
Center and Cooperative Extension Service at their wonderful place in
Alcalde. It is open to everyone, and this is the headquarters for our Extension
Agent, Tony Valdez who will be our presenter on Sept. 23.
As I understand it, this
lovely 60 acre property is used by NMSU for agricultural experimentation—finding the best crops for local growers and
learning the best ways to grow them in order to further both commercial agriculture and home gardening in our enchanted
state. As we looked around, we found stands of various kinds of fruit trees,
grapes, blackberries and raspberries, lavender and other wonderful flowers! And
there may have been more that we didn’t catch. As their chief told us,
they would like everyone to grow things, and to use their water rights, because water rights in New Mexico that are not used
(even though dues are paid on them) are taken back by the state and then meted out to developers.
There were a few hundred
participants at this free Wednesday morning event! And they had presentations
on quite a number of subjects. Some of them were:
- Medicinal herb alternatives—they had a grant to support their research in growing Chinese herbs here in New Mexico. They felt
that these herbs would be fresher and more reliable (free of pollution) than those grown in China, and therefore very commercially viable.
They are looking for Doctors of Chinese Medicine to come use the herbs that they have grown!
- Plants used for natural dyes—primarily for the wool that is also grown here and used in both knitting and
weaving. Beautiful colors!
- Lavendar—they hope that New Mexico can become the leading producer of lavender
outside of France!
- Also, berries, tree fruit, and grapes—all kinds of luscious ones!
- Plus practical growing methods such as frost protection, hoophouses and tunnels, sand filter system, and organic
fruit production methods.
- And they also presented information on acequias, flood irrigation, and groundwater, and a turfgrass variety study
with drip irrigation.
So, if you have any questions
about growing anything, please feel free to call them at 505-852-4241, or at the extension service at 505-852-2668. Our Rio Arriba County Extension Agent is Tony Valdez. Or just
go there to visit! They are about 7 miles north of WalMart, just off the Taos Hwy. Turn left
at their NMSU sign on the left side of the road. At that intersection is also
a convenience store and a pizza parlor.
What an incredible resource!
In October, they are co-presenting
some great knowledge at the Santa Fe Fairgrounds called “Hoop It Up”! Cost
for both days: $35 in advance, $40 at the door. 505-428-1684, www.santafebotanicalgarden.org
Friday, Oct. 20—How
to build an affordable greenhouse at an all-day, hands-on workshop by Shane Smith. Reception
follows.
Saturday, Oct. 21—How
to extend your growing season. Raise varieties you couldn’t grow. Good inexpensive sources for soil, benches, fans, etc.
Pest control. Raising herbs. Numerous other practical need-to-knows shared by experienced growers.
