New Mexico State University’s Agricultural Science Center in Farmington is hosting an action-packed field day with live music, activities for children and lunch by a 2023 James Beard chef competition finalist.

 

This year’s field day is taking place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at the center, 300 Road 4063 in Farmington, New Mexico. The center is situated on 254 acres leased from the Navajo Nation.


 
Among the research presentations given during the field day tours are vineyard and cherry and jujube trials, along with the Navajo peach project and other specialty horticultural crops. There will also drip irrigation and soil moisture probe demonstrations, a greenhouse tour and future solar panel garden discussion, a weather station and monitoring overview, and a xeriscape demonstration garden self-garden walking tour.
 


Other presentations include chipper and table potato and corn trials, alfalfa trials, beans and guar, and agroforestry, soil carbon sequestration and soil health, and other assorted mixed woody perennial shrubs and trees from experts around the region. Several of the topics are also covered in the center’s Instagram videos.
 


Kevin Lombard, the center’s research director and NMSU professor of horticulture, said he and the center’s staff are excited to host this year’s field day and give the community an opportunity to learn about the center’s research and projects.
 


“There will be several informational tables and talks by regional experts, including Cooperative Extension, the Soil and Water Conservation District and more. Information tables will include community health and well-being, Navajo Ethno-Agriculture and a free soil health clinic. Bring some soil if you want to have it tested at one of our tables,” Lombard said. “It’s a great networking opportunity, too.”


 
Lunch will be provided by Pioche Food Group, which is Navajo owned and operated. Chef Justin Pioche was one of five chefs in the finals for the Best Chef: Southwest category of the 2023 James Beard Awards. Attendees are encouraged to take a folding chair and water, and dress for sunny weather.


 
For more information and directions on how to get to the center, visit  https://farmingtonsc.nmsu.edu/ . If you are an individual with a disability and in need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate, contact Corey Benally at 505-960-7757.

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-ag-science-center-in-farmington-hosts-field-day-aug.-17/s/65ff84db-1c56-4dc1-88e2-1f0b69def520