vision for extension program in taos county by tony a. valdez rio arriba county extension director...

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.


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



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.



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.



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.


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.



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.



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.


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.


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.


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.


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


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.


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.


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.


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.


Taos County Economic Opportunity

Addressing the quality of life issues is a core piece in Taos County Extension’s educational effort.


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.


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.


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


4-H and Youth Development

The Overall Extension Advisory Committee has indicated that volunteer recruitment and retention are a high priority.

Source: Taos County Extension Web Site


Changing Issues

Issues have changed over the years, but the need to extend research-based information out to Taos County Residents remains constant.



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.

Changing Issues

Agent Gave Leadership

• Drought Workshops

• Grafting and Pruning Workshops

• Laser Leveling Workshops

• Soils Testing

• Livestock Elk Interaction Workshop (T.A)

• Range Monitoring Workshops

• Range Improvement Task Force


• 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


• 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


• Velarde Apple Fiesta Organizer and Proposal writer

• Sustainable Orchard Management Systems (SARE)

• Fruit Growers Conferences

• NM Organic Conference

• IPM Using Pheromone Disruption


vision for extension program in taos county by tony a. valdez rio arriba county extension director...

Documents

county residents

taos county households

taos county extension

taos county extension

extension program

taos countybytony

taos countythe mission

nutrition programs