A MESSAGE FROM OUR DEAN Good day, alumni and friends of the College of ACES, Everyone in the university and college is gearing up to start a new semester and welcome the students back to campus. In this newsletter, we are proud to show the efforts and work of Erika De La O. Medina and Dr. Efren Delgado. They were able to secure a grant from the Mexican Consulate in El Paso to assist Mexican students and students of Mexican descent in the College of ACES. These funds are allocated to help students as they go through an ACES degree program. We are also delighted to welcome Dr. Omar Holguin as the new Co-Director of the Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS). Beyond NMSU, we want to welcome Carollann Romo, who is taking on executive directorship for the New Mexico Beef Council. We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to Dina Chacón-Reitzel, the outgoing executive director of the New Mexico Beef Council. A great supporter of the ACES college, she is a member of the NMSU Board of Regents, an NMSU alumnus, and a very dedicated individual who has spent 37 years of her career working for the New Mexico beef industry. Even as we prepare for the start of classes, the summer continues with our Agricultural Science Center field days, which will be referenced in this newsletter. We want to celebrate the success of our students and faculty in getting grant funding, along with the successes of students from Animal and Range Sciences competing in national competitions. In each of these competitions, the valuable teaching and research that is conducted in the College of ACES receives national recognition. This research goes toward the benefit of New Mexico and is sponsored mostly by the grant funding that faculty in ACES obtain by applying for and securing grants. We continue to work very hard, and it is a tremendous pleasure for me to welcome the students to the new semester that is starting and to share with you the new activities that we have planned through our academic programs. Thank you for your support and collaboration with the college. |
A MESSAGE FROM OUR DEAN Good day, alumni and friends of the College of ACES, Everyone in the university and college is gearing up to start a new semester and welcome the students back to campus. In this newsletter, we are proud to show the efforts and work of Erika De La O. Medina and Dr. Efren Delgado. They were able to secure a grant from the Mexican Consulate in El Paso to assist Mexican students and students of Mexican descent in the College of ACES. These funds are allocated to help students as they go through an ACES degree program. We are also delighted to welcome Dr. Omar Holguin as the new Co-Director of the Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS). Beyond NMSU, we want to welcome Carollann Romo, who is taking on executive directorship for the New Mexico Beef Council. We want to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to Dina Chacón-Reitzel, the outgoing executive director of the New Mexico Beef Council. A great supporter of the ACES college, she is a member of the NMSU Board of Regents, an NMSU alumnus, and a very dedicated individual who has spent 37 years of her career working for the New Mexico beef industry. Even as we prepare for the start of classes, the summer continues with our Agricultural Science Center field days, which will be referenced in this newsletter. We want to celebrate the success of our students and faculty in getting grant funding, along with the successes of students from Animal and Range Sciences competing in national competitions. In each of these competitions, the valuable teaching and research that is conducted in the College of ACES receives national recognition. This research goes toward the benefit of New Mexico and is sponsored mostly by the grant funding that faculty in ACES obtain by applying for and securing grants. We continue to work very hard, and it is a tremendous pleasure for me to welcome the students to the new semester that is starting and to share with you the new activities that we have planned through our academic programs. Thank you for your support and collaboration with the college. |
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(Left to right) Nashelli Sanchez, Vice Consul Adriana Martinez, Consul General of Mexico Mauricio Ibarra Ponce De Leon, ACES Dean & Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Rolando A. Flores Galarza, ACES Planning Officer Erika De La O. Medina. |
(Left to right) Nashelli Sanchez, Vice Consul Adriana Martinez, Consul General of Mexico Mauricio Ibarra Ponce De Leon, ACES Dean & Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Rolando A. Flores Galarza, ACES Planning Officer Erika De La O. Medina. |
Rolando A. Flores Galarza Dean & Chief Administrative Officer |
Rolando A. Flores Galarza Dean & Chief Administrative Officer |
ACES STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY |
ACES STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY |
The Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso, with support from Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, invites all students to apply for the IME– Becas (Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior) scholarship offered by the College of ACES. Details for the application process are provided below. |
The Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso, with support from Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Institute for Mexicans Abroad, invites all students to apply for the IME– Becas (Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior) scholarship offered by the College of ACES. Details for the application process are provided below. |
2024 ACES UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM |
2024 ACES UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM |
The ACES Undergraduate Research Scholars Program engages undergraduate students in research. Faculty members serve as mentors while Scholars gain valuable experience working on cutting-edge research projects along side experts in the field. The program provides undergraduates with a solid foundation in research methods to better prepare them for entry into professional and scientific fields. Who is Eligible to Participate? - Classified as an “undergraduate” at New Mexico State University in the College of ACES
- Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at New Mexico State University
- Achieved a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
- Commit to a minimum of 10 hrs/week for research for each semester
Application Process - Official Application Form
- Unofficial Transcript
- Research Proposal format: 1 page single-spaced, with the title at the top, 12 pt. font, 1-inch margins, no attachments.
- Mentor Endorsement
Deadline to Apply: September 20, 2024 For more information, contact Program Director Dr. Jennifer Hernandez Gifford at jgifford@nmsu.edu |
The ACES Undergraduate Research Scholars Program engages undergraduate students in research. Faculty members serve as mentors while Scholars gain valuable experience working on cutting-edge research projects along side experts in the field. The program provides undergraduates with a solid foundation in research methods to better prepare them for entry into professional and scientific fields. Who is Eligible to Participate? - Classified as an “undergraduate” at New Mexico State University in the College of ACES
- Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours at New Mexico State University
- Achieved a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
- Commit to a minimum of 10 hrs/week for research for each semester
Application Process - Official Application Form
- Unofficial Transcript
- Research Proposal format: 1 page single-spaced, with the title at the top, 12 pt. font, 1-inch margins, no attachments.
- Mentor Endorsement
Deadline to Apply: September 20, 2024 For more information, contact Program Director Dr. Jennifer Hernandez Gifford at jgifford@nmsu.edu |
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| We would like to take this time to profusely thank Dr. Jay Lillywhite, along with Dr. Efren Delgado, for their continued work on improving the foundation and implementation of the Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS). We are pleased to announce the selection of the new co-director for CESFAS, replacing Dr. Lillywhite. This decision is made to continue enhancing our work in value-added agriculture for food and non-food products, an area that is considered of major importance for the economic, sustainability and development of agriculture in New Mexico. Please join us in welcoming Dr. F. Omar Holguín as the new co-director of CESFAS, as of August 1. |
We would like to take this time to profusely thank Dr. Jay Lillywhite, along with Dr. Efren Delgado, for their continued work on improving the foundation and implementation of the Center of Excellence in Sustainable Food and Agricultural Systems (CESFAS). We are pleased to announce the selection of the new co-director for CESFAS, replacing Dr. Lillywhite. This decision is made to continue enhancing our work in value-added agriculture for food and non-food products, an area that is considered of major importance for the economic, sustainability and development of agriculture in New Mexico. Please join us in welcoming Dr. F. Omar Holguín as the new co-director of CESFAS, as of August 1. |
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Dr. F. Omar Holguín is an accomplished associate professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences with over two decades of experience at New Mexico State University as a researcher. Dr. Holguín has made significant contributions to sustainable agriculture, the bioeconomy, and ecological health. Dr. Holguín specializes in analyzing natural products from plants, microbes, and environmental contaminants. His research focuses on enhancing the economic viability and quality of agricultural products through the development of value-added solutions. Driven by his commitment to education, Dr. Holguín uses practical, hands-on approaches to mentor and inspire the next generation of scientific leaders. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys outdoor activities, engaging in community service, and spending quality time with his family. You can contact Dr. Holguín by emailing him at frholguin@nmsu.edu. |
Dr. F. Omar Holguín is an accomplished associate professor in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences with over two decades of experience at New Mexico State University as a researcher. Dr. Holguín has made significant contributions to sustainable agriculture, the bioeconomy, and ecological health. Dr. Holguín specializes in analyzing natural products from plants, microbes, and environmental contaminants. His research focuses on enhancing the economic viability and quality of agricultural products through the development of value-added solutions. Driven by his commitment to education, Dr. Holguín uses practical, hands-on approaches to mentor and inspire the next generation of scientific leaders. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys outdoor activities, engaging in community service, and spending quality time with his family. You can contact Dr. Holguín by emailing him at frholguin@nmsu.edu. |
Biden–Harris Administration Announces $90 Million in Innovative Projects that Help Conserve Natural Resources and Address Climate Change as Part of Investing in America Agenda On July 18th, 2024, the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) officially announced the 2023 NRCS Classic Innovation Grants awardees. Dr. Sawssan Boufous, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of the Extension Economics Department, was awarded $947,003 for her project "Carbon Farming: What Do Growers Want?" along with Dr. Brian Hurd and Mr. Eduardo Medina from the Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business and Extension Economics Departments. The project, led by NMSU in partnership with the University of Florida, seeks to understand farmers' preferences for carbon farming and their participation in conservation programs to mitigate climate change effects. The project also intends to improve carbon farming literacy and raise awareness of conservation programs, particularly among socially disadvantaged farmers. Project outcomes are expected to foster collaboration among researchers, growers, and carbon market professionals, leveraging carbon farming to mitigate climate change and improve farmers' economic resiliency. By leading this initiative that addresses the intersection of agricultural production and environmental issues, ACES will continue to have a positive impact on food and fiber production environmental stewardship in New Mexico and across the United States. Please join us in congratulating our esteemed team: Principal Investigator Dr. Sawssan Boufous, along with Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Brian Hurd and Mr. Eduardo Medina. Partner: New Mexico State University
Lead State: New Mexico
Project States: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida
Amount Awarded: $947,003
Project Title: Carbon Farming: What Do Growers Want?
Summary: The project will promote climate-smart practice (CSP) adoption through carbon farming in the Western and Southern regions of the United States. The project will elicit growers’ preferences for farming carbon using a conjoint experiment and estimate implementation costs of the most preferred CSPs. The long-term goal of this project is to enhance the adoption rate of climate-smart agricultural practices in the Western and Southern states by encouraging growers to farm carbon. To learn more about the rest of the projects click on the following link: Conservation Innovation Grants Awards Fiscal Year 2023 | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) |
Biden–Harris Administration Announces $90 Million in Innovative Projects that Help Conserve Natural Resources and Address Climate Change as Part of Investing in America Agenda On July 18th, 2024, the USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) officially announced the 2023 NRCS Classic Innovation Grants awardees. Dr. Sawssan Boufous, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist of the Extension Economics Department, was awarded $947,003 for her project "Carbon Farming: What Do Growers Want?" along with Dr. Brian Hurd and Mr. Eduardo Medina from the Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business and Extension Economics Departments. The project, led by NMSU in partnership with the University of Florida, seeks to understand farmers' preferences for carbon farming and their participation in conservation programs to mitigate climate change effects. The project also intends to improve carbon farming literacy and raise awareness of conservation programs, particularly among socially disadvantaged farmers. Project outcomes are expected to foster collaboration among researchers, growers, and carbon market professionals, leveraging carbon farming to mitigate climate change and improve farmers' economic resiliency. By leading this initiative that addresses the intersection of agricultural production and environmental issues, ACES will continue to have a positive impact on food and fiber production environmental stewardship in New Mexico and across the United States. Please join us in congratulating our esteemed team: Principal Investigator Dr. Sawssan Boufous, along with Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Brian Hurd and Mr. Eduardo Medina. Partner: New Mexico State University
Lead State: New Mexico
Project States: Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Florida
Amount Awarded: $947,003
Project Title: Carbon Farming: What Do Growers Want?
Summary: The project will promote climate-smart practice (CSP) adoption through carbon farming in the Western and Southern regions of the United States. The project will elicit growers’ preferences for farming carbon using a conjoint experiment and estimate implementation costs of the most preferred CSPs. The long-term goal of this project is to enhance the adoption rate of climate-smart agricultural practices in the Western and Southern states by encouraging growers to farm carbon. To learn more about the rest of the projects click on the following link: Conservation Innovation Grants Awards Fiscal Year 2023 | Natural Resources Conservation Service (usda.gov) |
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AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION |
AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION |
Explore non-traditional crops, fruit production and more at NMSU Alcalde’s field day New Mexico is best known for growing a variety of crops, including chile, pecans, onions and grapes, but New Mexico State University researchers are delving into several non-traditional crops to learn more about how adaptable they are to the state’s regions. The public is invited to learn more about that research during this year’s field day at the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center in Alcalde, New Mexico. The field day will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 28 at the center, located at 371 County Road 40. The event is free and will feature wagon tours of the center’s research plots, along with a walking tour with researchers discussing fruit production. Saeid Zehtab Salmasi, the center’s research director, will discuss his research on saffron production in north-central New Mexico, along with chickpea cultivar selection, at this year’s field day. Salmasi said that last fall, his team successfully harvested flowers from about 2,000 saffron corms that were planted in both hoop houses and open fields. He is now looking into assessing the viability of saffron production in northern New Mexico. To register for this year’s field day, visit https://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/alcalde. For more information, contact Sr. Event Planner Luiza Cardone at lcardone@nmsu.edu. Media contact Adriana M. Chávez, Senior Communications Specialist at NMSU: adchavez@nmsu.edu. |
Explore non-traditional crops, fruit production and more at NMSU Alcalde’s field day New Mexico is best known for growing a variety of crops, including chile, pecans, onions and grapes, but New Mexico State University researchers are delving into several non-traditional crops to learn more about how adaptable they are to the state’s regions. The public is invited to learn more about that research during this year’s field day at the Sustainable Agriculture Science Center in Alcalde, New Mexico. The field day will take place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 28 at the center, located at 371 County Road 40. The event is free and will feature wagon tours of the center’s research plots, along with a walking tour with researchers discussing fruit production. Saeid Zehtab Salmasi, the center’s research director, will discuss his research on saffron production in north-central New Mexico, along with chickpea cultivar selection, at this year’s field day. Salmasi said that last fall, his team successfully harvested flowers from about 2,000 saffron corms that were planted in both hoop houses and open fields. He is now looking into assessing the viability of saffron production in northern New Mexico. To register for this year’s field day, visit https://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/alcalde. For more information, contact Sr. Event Planner Luiza Cardone at lcardone@nmsu.edu. Media contact Adriana M. Chávez, Senior Communications Specialist at NMSU: adchavez@nmsu.edu. |
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Clayton Livestock Research Center This summer, the Clayton Livestock Research Center (CLRC) conducted a pasture study that aims to provide beef producers in the western U.S. with information on potential sustainable practices by evaluating forage production that may alter greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while enhancing economic viability. CLRC is focused on identifying and implementing sustainable beef production strategies that span from cow–calf operations and stocker production to entry into feedlots. Conducted with a local producer under collaboration with CLRC, this project measures the impact of various forage production strategies for beef production in the American Southwest and the Ogallala Aquifer region through tracking track water usage, GHG emissions, and economic outcomes. The current agricultural system in the western United States and New Mexico faces limitations including reliance on depleting water resources and economic challenges for small producers. The Clayton Livestock Research Center is addressing these limitations by producing recommendations for beef producers based on research-based recommendations for beef producers to help reduce GHG emissions without hurting profitability, decrease water use, and meet national goals for sustainable food production and climate impact reduction. For more information, contact Sr. Event Planner Luiza Cardone at lcardone@nmsu.edu. |
Clayton Livestock Research Center This summer, the Clayton Livestock Research Center (CLRC) conducted a pasture study that aims to provide beef producers in the western U.S. with information on potential sustainable practices by evaluating forage production that may alter greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while enhancing economic viability. CLRC is focused on identifying and implementing sustainable beef production strategies that span from cow–calf operations and stocker production to entry into feedlots. Conducted with a local producer under collaboration with CLRC, this project measures the impact of various forage production strategies for beef production in the American Southwest and the Ogallala Aquifer region through tracking track water usage, GHG emissions, and economic outcomes. The current agricultural system in the western United States and New Mexico faces limitations including reliance on depleting water resources and economic challenges for small producers. The Clayton Livestock Research Center is addressing these limitations by producing recommendations for beef producers based on research-based recommendations for beef producers to help reduce GHG emissions without hurting profitability, decrease water use, and meet national goals for sustainable food production and climate impact reduction. For more information, contact Sr. Event Planner Luiza Cardone at lcardone@nmsu.edu. |
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New Mexico State University Animal and Range Science students showed up in force at the Annual ASAS-WSASAS-CSAS meeting and won big in all research presentation competitions! They made us proud. Congratulations to all students that participated. Graduate Student Paper Competition – 1st place was awarded to Molly Austin (Hernandez Gifford lab) and 2nd place to Taylor Andrews (Scholljegerdes lab). NMSU was the recipient of the Institutional Award based on student combined participation scores (Molly Austin, Taylor Andrews, and Naomi Lucero). The undergraduate poster competition was won by Cassie Smithyman, and Karime Luna placed second. Finally, congratulations to graduate student Kenzie Smithyman for placing 2nd in the ASAS Graduate Student Competition! In the 3-minute thesis competition, congratulations to Sara Gurule (1st place) for her presentation describing mechanisms involved in susceptibility to disease in feedlot cattle and to Molly Austin (3rd place) for describing the role of subacute infection consequences to fertility in sheep. Great job telling your story so well in the 3-Minute Thesis Video Competition. For more information, contact Department Head of Animal & Range Sciences Dr. Shanna Ivey at sivey@nmsu.edu. |
New Mexico State University Animal and Range Science students showed up in force at the Annual ASAS-WSASAS-CSAS meeting and won big in all research presentation competitions! They made us proud. Congratulations to all students that participated. Graduate Student Paper Competition – 1st place was awarded to Molly Austin (Hernandez Gifford lab) and 2nd place to Taylor Andrews (Scholljegerdes lab). NMSU was the recipient of the Institutional Award based on student combined participation scores (Molly Austin, Taylor Andrews, and Naomi Lucero). The undergraduate poster competition was won by Cassie Smithyman, and Karime Luna placed second. Finally, congratulations to graduate student Kenzie Smithyman for placing 2nd in the ASAS Graduate Student Competition! In the 3-minute thesis competition, congratulations to Sara Gurule (1st place) for her presentation describing mechanisms involved in susceptibility to disease in feedlot cattle and to Molly Austin (3rd place) for describing the role of subacute infection consequences to fertility in sheep. Great job telling your story so well in the 3-Minute Thesis Video Competition. For more information, contact Department Head of Animal & Range Sciences Dr. Shanna Ivey at sivey@nmsu.edu. |
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Graduate student Kenzie Smithyman presenting her poster at the ASAS meeting in Calgary. |
Graduate student Kenzie Smithyman presenting her poster at the ASAS meeting in Calgary. |
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CENTER OF INNOVATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING |
CENTER OF INNOVATION FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING |
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The Center of Innovation for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing (COI), which is housed in the Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Department, has a new project ongoing with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) to develop and deliver Trauma 101 Training to their entire workforce of approximately 300 individuals. The COI is developing a 2-hour eLearning course which will be rolled out to the entire ECECD staff as a part of mandated staff training. The course will be housed in an NMSU OnDemand Microlearning system. The initial funding is for 300 staff to complete the training in the first year. After one year, ECECD can purchase additional registration slots on an as needed basis. For more information about the Center of Innovation for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing or the Trauma 101 Training, please contact Brooke Stanley Tou (bastou@nmsu.edu) or visit Center of Innovation Home | New Mexico State University | BE BOLD. Shape the Future. (nmsu.edu). |
The Center of Innovation for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing (COI), which is housed in the Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Department, has a new project ongoing with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) to develop and deliver Trauma 101 Training to their entire workforce of approximately 300 individuals. The COI is developing a 2-hour eLearning course which will be rolled out to the entire ECECD staff as a part of mandated staff training. The course will be housed in an NMSU OnDemand Microlearning system. The initial funding is for 300 staff to complete the training in the first year. After one year, ECECD can purchase additional registration slots on an as needed basis. For more information about the Center of Innovation for Behavioral Health and Wellbeing or the Trauma 101 Training, please contact Brooke Stanley Tou (bastou@nmsu.edu) or visit Center of Innovation Home | New Mexico State University | BE BOLD. Shape the Future. (nmsu.edu). |
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Brooke Stanley Tou, Director |
Brooke Stanley Tou, Director |
| Sandra Gallegos, Program Manager, Senior, Curriculum Development |
Sandra Gallegos, Program Manager, Senior, Curriculum Development |
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EXTENSION FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES |
EXTENSION FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES |
Fit Families in Chaparral This summer, the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Fit Families (FF) program hosted 11 to 15 families at the Dolores Wright Community Center in Chaparral, NM. Before this, FF had benefited families in Las Cruces, Sunland Park, and Anthony. An earnest effort took place to take the FF program to the community of Chaparral beginning in 2019. Classes were scheduled to start in Chaparral beginning in March of 2020. The events that took place that year made inevitable changes to the program's nature; despite this, the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (EFCS) team never gave up on the needs of the community of Chaparral. The Fit Families program provides a safe space for families to explore new concepts related to nutrition, physical activity, and a positive outlook toward life. Each week, families get together to learn a new healthy recipe to cook with their family, creating connections while being exposed to nourishing food options. Families get to cook, eat, and enjoy one another as they discuss future advancements in the family dynamic. The second portion of the two-hour session involves an educational lecture on one of the many topics addressed during the 12-week program, ranging from mindful eating to bullying. Each session concludes with a fun physical activity families are encouraged to do together. Reinforcements are provided for families to encourage healthy behavior changes around nutrition, self-esteem, and physical activity. Susanna Rodriguez, Dietetic Intern, Graduate Assistant, and Cooperative Extension Intern, worked alongside Martha Payan and Esther Sarmiento, two promotoras or community health workers, instrumental in helping the Fit Families program reach a vast audience in a rural community. Rodriguez stated, “As a dietetic intern, I take immense pride in actively contributing to the community's education on crucial nutritional preventive measures.” For more information about the Fit Families Program visit: https://fitfamilies.nmsu.edu/ or contact Lourdes Olivas loumunoz@nmsu.edu or Lucinda Banegas-Carreon lubanega@nmsu.edu. |
Fit Families in Chaparral This summer, the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Fit Families (FF) program hosted 11 to 15 families at the Dolores Wright Community Center in Chaparral, NM. Before this, FF had benefited families in Las Cruces, Sunland Park, and Anthony. An earnest effort took place to take the FF program to the community of Chaparral beginning in 2019. Classes were scheduled to start in Chaparral beginning in March of 2020. The events that took place that year made inevitable changes to the program's nature; despite this, the Extension Family and Consumer Sciences (EFCS) team never gave up on the needs of the community of Chaparral. The Fit Families program provides a safe space for families to explore new concepts related to nutrition, physical activity, and a positive outlook toward life. Each week, families get together to learn a new healthy recipe to cook with their family, creating connections while being exposed to nourishing food options. Families get to cook, eat, and enjoy one another as they discuss future advancements in the family dynamic. The second portion of the two-hour session involves an educational lecture on one of the many topics addressed during the 12-week program, ranging from mindful eating to bullying. Each session concludes with a fun physical activity families are encouraged to do together. Reinforcements are provided for families to encourage healthy behavior changes around nutrition, self-esteem, and physical activity. Susanna Rodriguez, Dietetic Intern, Graduate Assistant, and Cooperative Extension Intern, worked alongside Martha Payan and Esther Sarmiento, two promotoras or community health workers, instrumental in helping the Fit Families program reach a vast audience in a rural community. Rodriguez stated, “As a dietetic intern, I take immense pride in actively contributing to the community's education on crucial nutritional preventive measures.” For more information about the Fit Families Program visit: https://fitfamilies.nmsu.edu/ or contact Lourdes Olivas loumunoz@nmsu.edu or Lucinda Banegas-Carreon lubanega@nmsu.edu. |
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Fit Families Program in Chaparral, NM |
Fit Families Program in Chaparral, NM |
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES |
FAMILY & CONSUMER SCIENCES |
How can knowledge and skills gained through Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) be used to address issues like revitalizing an underutilized community center? Twenty-eight high school students from Hatch recently answered this question after spending a week on the NMSU Campus learning from and with faculty from the FCS Department during the first Summer FCS Camp. In a unique partnership, FCS faculty and staff from academics and Extension provided the students, who are all participants in the TRIO program, an introduction to the five major FCS programs including Food Science & Technology, Fashion Merchandising & Design, Human Development & Family Science, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, and Human Nutrition. Students engaged in hands-on activities introducing them to FCS subjects and related careers as they worked in teams to develop a plan for their community center. At the end of the week, each team presented their plan to a panel of judges pulling in all aspects of the FCS mission along with recognizing the importance of celebrating culture, community, and relationships. One participant described the camp as follows: “It (FCS camp) gave a lot of info on food, family, communication, and stress management. It was exciting, engaging and informative…not to mention the warm welcomes they give each day!” Seventy percent of participants reported they were more likely to attend NMSU in the future because of FCS Camp, and 100% of participants agreed the camp helped them feel more comfortable and familiar with the NMSU campus. For more information about the Family & Consumer Sciences Department or FCS Camp, please contact Laura Bittner (lbittner@nmsu.edu) or Merranda Marin (mmarin@nmsu.edu) or visit FCS Home (nmsu.edu) |
How can knowledge and skills gained through Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) be used to address issues like revitalizing an underutilized community center? Twenty-eight high school students from Hatch recently answered this question after spending a week on the NMSU Campus learning from and with faculty from the FCS Department during the first Summer FCS Camp. In a unique partnership, FCS faculty and staff from academics and Extension provided the students, who are all participants in the TRIO program, an introduction to the five major FCS programs including Food Science & Technology, Fashion Merchandising & Design, Human Development & Family Science, Family & Consumer Sciences Education, and Human Nutrition. Students engaged in hands-on activities introducing them to FCS subjects and related careers as they worked in teams to develop a plan for their community center. At the end of the week, each team presented their plan to a panel of judges pulling in all aspects of the FCS mission along with recognizing the importance of celebrating culture, community, and relationships. One participant described the camp as follows: “It (FCS camp) gave a lot of info on food, family, communication, and stress management. It was exciting, engaging and informative…not to mention the warm welcomes they give each day!” Seventy percent of participants reported they were more likely to attend NMSU in the future because of FCS Camp, and 100% of participants agreed the camp helped them feel more comfortable and familiar with the NMSU campus. For more information about the Family & Consumer Sciences Department or FCS Camp, please contact Laura Bittner (lbittner@nmsu.edu) or Merranda Marin (mmarin@nmsu.edu) or visit FCS Home (nmsu.edu) |
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The ACES Coffee & Gifts will offer coffee, ice cream, muffins, and more from their space at the front entrance of Gerald Thomas Hall, Monday through Friday, 8am to 3pm. |
The ACES Coffee & Gifts will offer coffee, ice cream, muffins, and more from their space at the front entrance of Gerald Thomas Hall, Monday through Friday, 8am to 3pm. |
INNOVATIVE MEDIA, RESEARCH & EXTENSION |
INNOVATIVE MEDIA, RESEARCH & EXTENSION |
1.4 million Views of Chile Hybridization Video A recent short video featuring Danise Coon of the Chile Pepper Institute has reached 1.4 million views on YouTube! The video details the step-by-step process of crossing pepper varieties to create a hybrid. Researchers use this technique as part of their work to breed disease-resistant chile peppers (as well as to breed for other traits). The short video was produced as part of a larger USDA-NIFA funded project, “Innovators from Marginalized Communities: Interactive Labs Which Help Students See Themselves in Agricultural Careers.” The Innovative Media Research and Extension team collected the footage while filming a longer demo of the hybridization process, to inform a larger outreach product about careers in agricultural science. Popular short videos can help support NMSU Extension’s goal to share knowledge from research science to help New Mexicans, including farmers, home gardeners, and youth. These videos also help illustrate the daily activities of agricultural scientists, encouraging student interest in these and related fields. Other popular short videos created by the Department of Innovative Media, Research and Extension include, “How to make biochar” (15,834 plays), “How to save irrigation water” (24,970 plays) and “Livestock show newbie tips (2,181 plays).” These short vertical videos appear on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. Watch “How to make chile hybrids” here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mGGE2EslJq4 For more information, contact Pamela Martinez, Associate Professor and Learning Technologies Extension Specialist (pamelmar@nmsu.edu) |
1.4 million Views of Chile Hybridization Video A recent short video featuring Danise Coon of the Chile Pepper Institute has reached 1.4 million views on YouTube! The video details the step-by-step process of crossing pepper varieties to create a hybrid. Researchers use this technique as part of their work to breed disease-resistant chile peppers (as well as to breed for other traits). The short video was produced as part of a larger USDA-NIFA funded project, “Innovators from Marginalized Communities: Interactive Labs Which Help Students See Themselves in Agricultural Careers.” The Innovative Media Research and Extension team collected the footage while filming a longer demo of the hybridization process, to inform a larger outreach product about careers in agricultural science. Popular short videos can help support NMSU Extension’s goal to share knowledge from research science to help New Mexicans, including farmers, home gardeners, and youth. These videos also help illustrate the daily activities of agricultural scientists, encouraging student interest in these and related fields. Other popular short videos created by the Department of Innovative Media, Research and Extension include, “How to make biochar” (15,834 plays), “How to save irrigation water” (24,970 plays) and “Livestock show newbie tips (2,181 plays).” These short vertical videos appear on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts. Watch “How to make chile hybrids” here: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mGGE2EslJq4 For more information, contact Pamela Martinez, Associate Professor and Learning Technologies Extension Specialist (pamelmar@nmsu.edu) |
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Danise Coon, Senior Research Specialist, Chile Pepper Institute, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, in the video short, “Making chile hybrids.” |
Danise Coon, Senior Research Specialist, Chile Pepper Institute, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, in the video short, “Making chile hybrids.” |
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| New Mexico Beef Council Names Carollann Romo Executive Director Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 16, 2024 – The New Mexico Beef Council (NMBC) has appointed Carollann Romo as its new Executive Director, succeeding Dina Chacon-Retizel, who retired after 36 years. The NMBC promotes beef through consumer information and education programs. As Executive Director, Romo will oversee staff, marketing, budgets, and daily operations in line with state and federal policies. Romo brings a decade of marketing experience, previously serving as Sr. Field Marketing Manager for Rabo AgriFinance. She holds a degree from the University of Arizona and lives in Albuquerque with her family. Romo expresses excitement about promoting the beef industry and serving New Mexico's cattle producers. Romo will start her role on August 1, 2024. NMBC Chairwoman Sarah Fitzgerald praised Romo's credentials and fit for the role. For more information, visit www.nmbeef.com. |
New Mexico Beef Council Names Carollann Romo Executive Director Albuquerque, New Mexico; July 16, 2024 – The New Mexico Beef Council (NMBC) has appointed Carollann Romo as its new Executive Director, succeeding Dina Chacon-Retizel, who retired after 36 years. The NMBC promotes beef through consumer information and education programs. As Executive Director, Romo will oversee staff, marketing, budgets, and daily operations in line with state and federal policies. Romo brings a decade of marketing experience, previously serving as Sr. Field Marketing Manager for Rabo AgriFinance. She holds a degree from the University of Arizona and lives in Albuquerque with her family. Romo expresses excitement about promoting the beef industry and serving New Mexico's cattle producers. Romo will start her role on August 1, 2024. NMBC Chairwoman Sarah Fitzgerald praised Romo's credentials and fit for the role. For more information, visit www.nmbeef.com. |
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About the New Mexico Beef Council: The NMBC aims to increase demand for beef in New Mexico through marketing programs, enhancing profitability for beef producers. It consists of nine members appointed by the New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture, representing various branches of the beef industry. |
About the New Mexico Beef Council: The NMBC aims to increase demand for beef in New Mexico through marketing programs, enhancing profitability for beef producers. It consists of nine members appointed by the New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture, representing various branches of the beef industry. |
PLANT & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES |
PLANT & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES |
Dr. Sangu Angadi's Research Recognized as Outstanding Paper in Crop Science Dr. Sangu Angadi, Professor of Crop Stress Physiology in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis, is pleased to announce that one of his manuscripts, “Shade tolerance response of legumes in terms of biomass accumulation, leaf photosynthesis, and chlorophyll pigment under reduced sunlight,” has received significant recognition. The paper, published in Crop Science (Vol. 63, pp. 278–292), was recently selected as one of the 2024 Outstanding Papers in the Crop Physiology and Metabolism (C-2) division of the Crop Science Society of America. The manuscript has also earned the distinction of being one of the top ten highly cited papers in Crop Science for the 2023-2024 period. This research was conducted as part of Dr. Angadi's USDA-National Research Initiative (NRI) funded project, “Water Conservation in Forage Production Systems by Sorghum-Legume Intercropping in the Southern High Plains.” The study was conceptualized and executed at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis, with Dr. M.R. Umesh, a post-doctoral fellow on the project, serving as the lead author. The project also included collaborations with researchers from various institutes. For those interested in reading the full manuscript, it is available online at https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20851. |
Dr. Sangu Angadi's Research Recognized as Outstanding Paper in Crop Science Dr. Sangu Angadi, Professor of Crop Stress Physiology in the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences and at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis, is pleased to announce that one of his manuscripts, “Shade tolerance response of legumes in terms of biomass accumulation, leaf photosynthesis, and chlorophyll pigment under reduced sunlight,” has received significant recognition. The paper, published in Crop Science (Vol. 63, pp. 278–292), was recently selected as one of the 2024 Outstanding Papers in the Crop Physiology and Metabolism (C-2) division of the Crop Science Society of America. The manuscript has also earned the distinction of being one of the top ten highly cited papers in Crop Science for the 2023-2024 period. This research was conducted as part of Dr. Angadi's USDA-National Research Initiative (NRI) funded project, “Water Conservation in Forage Production Systems by Sorghum-Legume Intercropping in the Southern High Plains.” The study was conceptualized and executed at the Agricultural Science Center at Clovis, with Dr. M.R. Umesh, a post-doctoral fellow on the project, serving as the lead author. The project also included collaborations with researchers from various institutes. For those interested in reading the full manuscript, it is available online at https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20851. |
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SCHOOL OF HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT |
SCHOOL OF HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT |
The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Supports Career and Technical Education at the National Level Through our continued outreach and recruitment efforts, the School of HRTM has created a strong foundation of providing support to related Career and Technical Education and introducing students to hospitality career pathways through their exploration and involvement in groups such as Prostart, Business Professionals of America, 4H and TRIO/Upward Bound, as well as FCCLA and SkillsUSA. This summer we had the pleasure of attending both the SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA and the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Seattle, WA as well as serving as a judge for Restaurant Services for SkillsUSA during that event. We are involved with these groups in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Nevada and have found that the introduction of NMSU and hospitality career opportunities has a great impact on these highly motivated students who are exploring their career and academic interests. We proudly provide information about our Bachelor of Science degree, experiential learning, the College of ACES, and the NMSU campus experience. We have also introduced the opportunities available through the growth of NMSU Global by being featured in the event exhibit halls and visited by groups from all over the country. Representing NMSU to such a diverse and far-reaching sample of students, educators, and industry partners is very rewarding and showcases the unique and valuable programs and resources that NMSU and our program has to offer. For more information, contact Program Coordinator Andrea Arrigucci at arrigucci@nmsu.edu. |
The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management Supports Career and Technical Education at the National Level Through our continued outreach and recruitment efforts, the School of HRTM has created a strong foundation of providing support to related Career and Technical Education and introducing students to hospitality career pathways through their exploration and involvement in groups such as Prostart, Business Professionals of America, 4H and TRIO/Upward Bound, as well as FCCLA and SkillsUSA. This summer we had the pleasure of attending both the SkillsUSA National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA and the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Seattle, WA as well as serving as a judge for Restaurant Services for SkillsUSA during that event. We are involved with these groups in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Nevada and have found that the introduction of NMSU and hospitality career opportunities has a great impact on these highly motivated students who are exploring their career and academic interests. We proudly provide information about our Bachelor of Science degree, experiential learning, the College of ACES, and the NMSU campus experience. We have also introduced the opportunities available through the growth of NMSU Global by being featured in the event exhibit halls and visited by groups from all over the country. Representing NMSU to such a diverse and far-reaching sample of students, educators, and industry partners is very rewarding and showcases the unique and valuable programs and resources that NMSU and our program has to offer. For more information, contact Program Coordinator Andrea Arrigucci at arrigucci@nmsu.edu. |
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Economically Optimized Forage Utilization Choices in Drylands for Adapting to Economic, Ecological, and Climate Stress. Improving the economic performance of range forage in drylands in New Mexico, nationally, and internationally faces challenges from economic, ecological, and climate stress. Stakeholders in these arid regions wish to protect range forage ecosystems while ensuring the economic viability of livestock ranching. Despite several recent research achievements, little work to date has integrated relationships among precipitation, grazing pressure, animal performance, and forage production to protect ranching incomes faced with economic, ecological, and climate stress in dryland areas. This work addresses that gap by developing an empirical model for optimizing economic performance of livestock grazing on range forage ecosystems that adapt to several stressors. Its unique contribution is to formulate and apply a ranch income optimization model calibrated using positive mathematical programming. The model replicates observed economic, forage, and climate conditions while accounting for interacting relations among stocking rates, forage conditions, grazing pressure, animal performance, and ranch economic productivity. Results show ranch incomes for six biomes in the US west ranging from about $5 to $88 per acre and marginal values of forage ranging from $0.01 to $0.12 per pound of forage, depending on economic, ecological, and climate conditions. Results reveal how all these stressors affect economically optimized choices of grazing levels, ranch income, and economic values of forage for these biomes. Results help livestock ranchers adjust stocking and forage choices as well as agricultural policymakers who seek flexible government programs to adapt to changes in economic, ecological, and climate conditions. The work’s importance comes from applicability to forage management problems in New Mexico as well as dry regions internationally. This is a summary of a research article forthcoming in the journal Heliyon scheduled for August, 2024, written by Dr. Shanelle Trail and Dr. Frank A. Ward. For more information, please contact Frank Ward at fward@nmsu.edu |
Economically Optimized Forage Utilization Choices in Drylands for Adapting to Economic, Ecological, and Climate Stress. Improving the economic performance of range forage in drylands in New Mexico, nationally, and internationally faces challenges from economic, ecological, and climate stress. Stakeholders in these arid regions wish to protect range forage ecosystems while ensuring the economic viability of livestock ranching. Despite several recent research achievements, little work to date has integrated relationships among precipitation, grazing pressure, animal performance, and forage production to protect ranching incomes faced with economic, ecological, and climate stress in dryland areas. This work addresses that gap by developing an empirical model for optimizing economic performance of livestock grazing on range forage ecosystems that adapt to several stressors. Its unique contribution is to formulate and apply a ranch income optimization model calibrated using positive mathematical programming. The model replicates observed economic, forage, and climate conditions while accounting for interacting relations among stocking rates, forage conditions, grazing pressure, animal performance, and ranch economic productivity. Results show ranch incomes for six biomes in the US west ranging from about $5 to $88 per acre and marginal values of forage ranging from $0.01 to $0.12 per pound of forage, depending on economic, ecological, and climate conditions. Results reveal how all these stressors affect economically optimized choices of grazing levels, ranch income, and economic values of forage for these biomes. Results help livestock ranchers adjust stocking and forage choices as well as agricultural policymakers who seek flexible government programs to adapt to changes in economic, ecological, and climate conditions. The work’s importance comes from applicability to forage management problems in New Mexico as well as dry regions internationally. This is a summary of a research article forthcoming in the journal Heliyon scheduled for August, 2024, written by Dr. Shanelle Trail and Dr. Frank A. Ward. For more information, please contact Frank Ward at fward@nmsu.edu |
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A new machine learning model to predict transport and exchange of chemicals crossing river-groundwater interfaces This study explores a new machine learning technique, specifically conditional deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (cDC-GANs), to predict the complex dynamics of the hyporheic zone. The hyporheic zone is the boundary, or interface, between rivers (or any surface water) and groundwater, where significant biogeochemical reactions occur, as well as water exchanges. Traditional reactive transport modeling requires a lot of computing time and requires measurement and input of many parameters. To overcome these challenges, we employ cDC-GAN as a new model to predict zones of biogeochemical activity (i.e., hotspots) in the hyporheic zone even with significant spatial variability in subsurface layers and material property zones. The cDC-GAN model efficiently captures input and output parameter relationships, making it computationally less demanding. The model uses subsurface maps of water saturation and solute concentrations to generate corresponding maps of chemical reaction rates and reaction product concentrations. Even amid significant spatial variability and subsurface complexity, the new model consistently exhibits robust performance, which confirms its applicability with diverse subsurface geological settings. This study provides a proof of concept for the cDC-GAN model’s ability to simulate solute transport in the hyporheic zone, which will allow for more rapid predictions and advancement of our understanding of nutrient cycling, organic matter degradation, redox reactions, and mixing between rivers and groundwater. |
A new machine learning model to predict transport and exchange of chemicals crossing river-groundwater interfaces This study explores a new machine learning technique, specifically conditional deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (cDC-GANs), to predict the complex dynamics of the hyporheic zone. The hyporheic zone is the boundary, or interface, between rivers (or any surface water) and groundwater, where significant biogeochemical reactions occur, as well as water exchanges. Traditional reactive transport modeling requires a lot of computing time and requires measurement and input of many parameters. To overcome these challenges, we employ cDC-GAN as a new model to predict zones of biogeochemical activity (i.e., hotspots) in the hyporheic zone even with significant spatial variability in subsurface layers and material property zones. The cDC-GAN model efficiently captures input and output parameter relationships, making it computationally less demanding. The model uses subsurface maps of water saturation and solute concentrations to generate corresponding maps of chemical reaction rates and reaction product concentrations. Even amid significant spatial variability and subsurface complexity, the new model consistently exhibits robust performance, which confirms its applicability with diverse subsurface geological settings. This study provides a proof of concept for the cDC-GAN model’s ability to simulate solute transport in the hyporheic zone, which will allow for more rapid predictions and advancement of our understanding of nutrient cycling, organic matter degradation, redox reactions, and mixing between rivers and groundwater. |
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The College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and Extension programs. |
The College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is an engine for economic and community development in New Mexico, improving the lives of New Mexicans through academic, research, and Extension programs. |
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