VISION FOR EXTENSION
PROGRAM IN TAOS COUNTY
By
Tony A. Valdez
Rio Arriba County Extension Director
New Mexico State University
Vision for Extension Program in
Taos County
The mission of the Extension Service was established
by federal law in 1914’s Smith-Lever Act to take
education from the land-grant universities to rural
communities, increasing agricultural production and
improving the quality of life.
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Taos County Agriculture
Taos County agriculture must remain
competitive in U.S. and world markets. This
requires a continuous flow of appropriate
technology addressing local needs within Taos
County. It is critical that the Taos County
Extension Service maintains and strengthens
programs that address these needs
New Mexico State University
Taos County Agriculture
Drought and water disputes, use of expansive
range lands, invading diseases and pests, and
national economic down turns, all play a role in
maintaining, retaining and building Taos County
agriculture infrastructure.
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Taos County Agriculture
Taos County Extension agent will work towards
resolving conflicts through researched
solutions, mediation through involvement of
clientele in problem solving, incorporation of
technology applications whenever feasible, and
continuous reintroduction of tried and true
practices.
New Mexico State University
Taos County Agriculture
A challenge in programming is to deliver the
same basic message at several different levels
of complexity to non-technical audiences,
multicultural, and multilingual populations, as
well as scientists and industry clientele.
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Taos County Nutrition
Even though Taos County may have a strong
agricultural based economy, hunger issues
persist for children and families. Taos County
Extension efforts will continue to focus on
increasing and improving the local production
of food that is nutritious, safe, culturally
acceptable, and affordable in both rural and
urban areas.
New Mexico State University
Taos County Nutrition
Even though agricultural and commercial
advances have resulted in abundant food at
ever-lower prices, many Taos County
households continue to face obstacles in
securing a healthy, well-nourishing diet.
Barriers include a lack of resources and a
limited understanding of nutrition.
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Taos County Nutrition
Taos County Extension will work on
strengthening food and nutrition programs and
delivering researched based knowledge
designed to alleviate barriers and improve the
nutrition, well-being, and food security of Taos
citizenry.
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Taos County Natural Resoucers
Taos County has a rich and diverse land and
natural resource base that is semiarid and in
many respects, extremely fragile. This natural
resource base is a major contributor to the
economic well-being of the County residents.
New Mexico State University
Taos County Natural Resouces
Its economic uses result in demands for various
resources. In addition to direct demands for
land and water, there is increasing pressure for
recreation-related activities that represent a
growing economic opportunity. Activities related
to the county’s natural beauty and its wildlife
makes a major contribution to the economy.
New Mexico State University
Taos County Natural Resources
The potential to develop, manage, and protect
natural resources needs to be encouraged.
Both rural and urban human activities can
pollute land, water, air, and food.
New Mexico State University
Taos County Natural Resources
Through teaching, research, and Extension
programs, Taos County Extension will commit
to furthering our understanding of human
impact on the environment, and to supporting
environmentally-sound agricultural and natural
resource practices
New Mexico State University
Taos County Natural Resouces
Taos Extension Service can continue its efforts
to understand the interaction between the
environment and production agriculture. Taos
County Extension future is increasingly tied to
regional environments and a global economy.
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Taos County Economy
Clearly defined local, regional and international
perspectives are essential for the programs in
Taos County. Citizens of Taos County need an
education that will allow them to achieve
success in a global economy.
New Mexico State University
Taos County Economy
They must have the skills necessary to keep
Taos County as a supplier of food and fiber
throughout the county and keep Taos a
destination for tourists from around the world.
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Taos County Economic Opportunity
Economic opportunity and quality of life vary
greatly for Taos County residents. Taos County
still suffers from some of the highest statistics
nationally relative to families with children
poverty levels, per capita retirement incomes,
numbers of high school graduates, illiteracy,
crime, unemployment in rural communities,
teen-pregnancy and other unsatisfactory
figures.
New Mexico State University
Taos County Economic Opportunity
Addressing the quality of life issues is a core
piece in Taos County Extension’s educational
effort.
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Taos County Families
Extension in Taos County is more than helping
the agricultural industry. It is about helping
families have a quality life and helping with
economic development.
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Population Challenges
The population of Taos County is growing
rapidly. An influx of people to the county has
called attention to the fact that more activities
are needed for youth in order to curtail the risk
of youth falling prey to gang activity, teen
pregnancy, crime and similar "at risk"
situations.
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4-H Can Help
In order to prepare all our youth to become
knowledgeable, productive citizens, they must
possess basic life skills. 4-H in Taos County is
challenged to help youth gain knowledge and
skills in consumerism, nutrition, personal
development, animal science, plant science,
natural science, engineering, and creative arts
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The Overall Extension Advisory Committee has
indicated that volunteer recruitment and
retention are a high priority.
Source: Taos County Extension Web Site
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Changing Issues
Issues have changed over the years, but the
need to extend research-based information out
to Taos County Residents remains constant.
New Mexico State University
Changing Issues
With local needs at the forefront, we can
develop educational programs in a number of
ways – public presentations, workshops,
demonstrations, publications and through the
media. Today, we use the Internet, interactive
video and satellite broadcast technologies,
bringing knowledge directly to your home and
community.
New Mexico State University
Agent Gave Leadership
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Drought Workshops
Grafting and Pruning Workshops
Laser Leveling Workshops
Soils Testing
Livestock Elk Interaction Workshop (T.A)
Range Monitoring Workshops
Range Improvement Task Force
New Mexico State University
• Pesticide Applicator Trainings
• Northern New Mexico Bull Testing and Heifer
Development (8yrs)
• Northern New Mexico Producers and
Marketing Cooperative (Ghost Ranch Facility)
• Artificial Insemination of Beef Cows
• Intensive Grazing Management on Irrigated
Pastures
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• Over seeding of Winter Annuals into Forge
Production Systems (SARE)
• Beef Quality Assurance Training
• Valles Caldera Grazing Proposal
• Fruit Tree Nutrition Analysis
• Discovery of Bitter Pit in Apples
• Discovery of Western Cherry Fruit Fly
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• Velarde Apple Fiesta Organizer and Proposal
writer
• Sustainable Orchard Management Systems
(SARE)
• Fruit Growers Conferences
• NM Organic Conference
• IPM Using Pheromone Disruption
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