New Mexico State University's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences drives community and economic development across New Mexico through its academic, research and outreach programs.
Community members are invited to learn more about the college's impact and meet the dedicated staff, faculty and students who drive its mission at the 2026 ACES Open House. The free event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 25, at various buildings and facilities on NMSU's Las Cruces campus.
"This is our seventh open house, where the community has the opportunity to learn more about the importance and impact of the College of ACES in New Mexico," College of ACES Dean Rolando A. Flores Galarza said.
This year's event will feature more than 70 indoor and outdoor activities hosted by the college, which houses eight academic departments as well as the Cooperative Extension Service and the Agricultural Experiment Station.
Visitors should pick up a self-guided exploration map at the welcome tent outside Gerald Thomas Hall, 940 College Drive. The map includes a list of areas where guests can visit, along with a spot to collect stamps. After exploring the college, visitors can return to the welcome tent to select a small prize for every 10 stamps collected (while supplies last). This year's giveaways will feature the likeness of Rose Marie Pangborn, an ACES alumna who became a worldwide pioneer in sensory evaluation.
Many of the college's animals will be on display, including its sheep, goats and horses. The Wildlife Museum and the ACES Arthropod Museum will also be open.
The New Mexico 4-H program will operate its shooting sports trailer, where visitors can learn firearm safety and practice shooting an air-pellet rifle in a controlled environment. Visitors will also get a chance to walk through a giant inflatable colon to learn about colon cancer and use a veggie meter to measure their fruit and vegetable consumption.
Several plant specialists will be on hand to answer any plant health-related questions as part of the popular Plant Diagnostic Clinic.
"With spring in full swing, many of us are thinking about our gardens, what to plant and maybe the problems we had growing last season," Extension Plant Pathologist Phillip Lujan said. "We can answer your questions, and if you have plant samples, pictures or want to chat about plants or weeds, we can share our expertise. For the kids, we will have seeds, soil and pots so they can plant their own crops and take them home and watch them grow."
Elsewhere, students in Craig Gifford's Sheep and Wool Production class will showcase a class project and unveil novel ideas for sheep production businesses.
"Students in my class worked with ACES faculty to develop business benchmarking, participated in hands-on production practices and lamb processing, and collaborated with the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management to develop lamb recipes and gain an understanding of the restaurant business," Gifford said. "For the ACES Open House, the students will provide an overview of their production enterprise and have a lamb cookoff. Stop by to taste some fantastic lamb."
Inside Gerald Thomas Hall, Innovative Media Research and Extension will have an interactive activity that will allow visitors to experience learning games and virtual reality.
NMSU's Viticulture and Enology Program will have grape juice samples and host an activity where visitors can guess the aromas contained within 10 different vials. All the aromas occur in wine.
"The learning outcome is that all these aromas are contained within the grape juice, but it is the process of fermentation that frees them up and makes them available in the wine for adults to smell," Extension Viticulture Specialist Geraldine DiverresNaranjo said. "After this activity, we will also discuss the research and Extension projects of our program."
Researchers and staff from the Agricultural Experiment Station will also be available to discuss various projects underway at the agricultural science centers in New Mexico.
For more information about ACES Open House, call 575-646-2877 or visit the event website.
The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-college-of-aces-invites-public-to-attend-open-house-april-25/s/d98b538e-8e64-4d43-b729-e43e9a513a5d
