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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@gilanet.com>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] Alcalde Field Day set Aug. 23
  • Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2003 21:45:25 -0600


Alcalde Field Day set Aug. 23
Farm Press Editorial Staff
FP Online, Aug 14 2003
http://southwestfarmpress.com/ar/farming_alcalde_field_day/

ALCALDE, N.M. - Organic fruit and herb trials, water-efficient irrigation,
cold-frame production and more will be on display during an open field day at
New Mexico State University's Sustainable Agriculture Science Center at
Alcalde Aug. 23.

"It's an opportunity for growers to learn about high-value specialty crops,
new growing techniques and marketing opportunities," said Steve Guldan,
center superintendent. "For the general public, it's a chance to learn about
the research we're doing here and how agriculture benefits local communities."

Visitors can participate on three revolving one-hour tours from 9 a.m. to
noon that will highlight medicinal herbs and hoop houses, forage and acequia
systems, and fruit production Guldan said.

On the fruit tour, fruit specialist Ron Walser will discuss organic growing
methods for late-blooming stone fruits such as peaches, cherries, apricots
and plums, as well as small fruits such as raspberries, blackberries,
strawberries, grapes and kiwifruit.

Walser planted a 2.5-acre plot for variety trials last year. Although the
fruit trees are still young, berry plants and grape vines are already
producing lots of fruit, Walser said. "Participants will get a good idea of
the progress growers can achieve in just one year," he said.

Visitors will also tour a 1.5-acre experimental apple orchard planted in 1996
to test early maturing varieties new to northern New Mexico. Speakers will
discuss productivity of trellis and freestanding growing methods, as well as
organic techniques to control codling moths, responsible for wormy apples.

Walser will demonstrate how drip irrigation and under-tree microsprinklers
can save water and protect fruit against late-spring frost. The
sprinklers-which are new to northern New Mexico-gently spray a mist of water
on the orchard floor that avoids runoff. During a cold snap, the moisture
gives off heat as it freezes, warming up the orchard, Walser said.

On the medicinal herb tour, agricultural specialist Charles Martin will
discuss variety trials and organic growing methods. The herb demonstration
garden has about 40 medicinal plants, including native varieties such as
echinacea and yerba mansa, as well as European and Asian species.

Randy Murray, a lavender merchant who is assisting Martin in lavender variety
trials, will discuss uses for lavender and market demand. Horticulture
specialist George Dickerson will show how to use plastic mulch to speed up
maturation of crops, conserve water and reduce weeds. Agriculture specialist
Del Jimenez will talk about construction and maintenance of cold frames and
hoophouses to extend the growing season, with a hoophouse on display at the
center.

On the forage and acequia tour, visitors will learn about on- and off-site
research in northern New Mexico, Guldan said. Natural resources specialist
Manuel Encinias will discuss research on grazing patterns of cattle and elk
and use of feed supplements and herding to draw animals away from riparian
areas.

Guldan and forage agronomist Leonard Lauriault will discuss alfalfa variety
trials, including local adaptability of kura clover, birdsfoot trefoil and
cicer milkvetch, which add nitrogen to soil and can help growers improve
pastures. Alfalfa trials include research on how well varieties will grow if
livestock graze on plots from fall to spring.

Other tour highlights include variety trials for sorghum-sudangrass-a
drought-resistant, fast-growing forage-and an acequia study to measure the
effects of seepage on surface/groundwater interaction, Guldan said.

Additional presentations include Extension efforts to improve agriculture on
the pueblos and use of bindweed mites to control the weed's spread.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. with a welcome at 8:30 a.m. After the tours,
Jerry Schickedanz, dean of NMSU's College of Agriculture and Home Economics,
will talk about the history of the Alcalde research center, followed by a
free lunch.

For more information, or if you are an individual with a disability who is in
need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the field day, call
Guldan at (505) 852-4241.

Kevin Robinson-Avila is a writer for New Mexico State University.,

e-mail: kevinrob@nmsu.edu




  • [Livingontheland] Alcalde Field Day set Aug. 23, Tradingpost, 08/22/2003

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