Dan Arvizu, new chancellor of New Mexico State University, will attend the Artesia Field Day Thursday, Aug. 23. Participants in an upcoming field day will have a chance to meet Dan Arvizu, the new chancellor, and John Floros, the new president, of New Mexico State University. They will give brief remarks at the annual field day Thursday, Aug. 23, at the NMSU-Agricultural Science Center at Artesia.

After growing up in Alamogordo and earning his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from NMSU in 1973, Arvizu's career path started at Bell Labs and Sandia National Labs and eventually took him to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama repeatedly appointed him to the National Science Board.

Floros brings an extensive background in agriculture to his role as president. He became dean of the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University and director of K-State Research and Extension in July 2012. During his time there, he led the development of a College of Agriculture strategic plan for Vision 2025, guided the college to record student enrollments, retention and graduation, and nearly 100 percent placement. As director, he steered K-State Research and Extension to record extramural funding, with research expenditures of more than $105 million.

He earned his Ph.D. in food science and technology from the University of Georgia. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in food science and technology from the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece. Floros is a native of Greece.

"We are pleased that both Chancellor Arvizu and President Floros could attend our field day," said Center Superintendent Robert Flynn. "This is a time when we bring agricultural producers and researchers together to learn about the ongoing research at the Center, interact with one another, and share ideas and opinions about agricultural practices. It's a good opportunity for producers to ask questions and get answers."

The field day kicks off with registration at 4 p.m., followed by dinner at 5 and a welcome and introductions at 5:30. Several commercial and educational booths will be present for information and questions.

Keynote speaker will be Alisa Ogden of the New Mexico Cattlegrowers, speaking on "The Good, the Bad and the Blonde."

A trolley tour of the field plots will begin at approximately 6 p.m. and the following topics will be discussed:

• "New Mexico Hops and Harvest Machinery," NMSU Associate Professor of Horticulture Kevin Lombard
• "Guar: A Potential Crop in New Mexico," NMSU Associate Professor Kulbhushan Grover
• "Jujube as an Alternative Crop," NMSU Research/Extension Fruit Specialist Shengrui Yao
• "Grape Maturity: Deciding When to Harvest," NMSU Viticulturist Gil Giese
• "Thrip Resistance/Bt Evaluation," NMSU Research/Extension Entomologist Jane Pierce
• "FOV4, an Emerging Disease," NMSU Plant Pathologist Soum Sanogo
• "Managing Salty Water," NMSU Superintendent and Extension Agronomist Robert Flynn

New Mexico State University Research/Extension Entomologist Jane Pierce will give a cotton pest update at the annual Artesia Field Day Thursday, Aug. 23. (NMSU photo by Darrell J. Pehr) An insect safari will be conducted for those 3 and up. Wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Nets will be provided. Insects gathered may be brought home for observation or for 4-H collections.

Dinner will be provided by the Yucca Cowbelles. Participants also will be able to build their own sundae after the field tour.

The Agricultural Science Center is just south of Artesia off Highway 285, east on Four Dinkus Road. For additional information or directions call 575-748-1228 or email artesia@nmsu.edu.