New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences and Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education will host the New Mexico Agriculture Sustainability Workshop, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, and Thursday, May 18, at the Larry P. Abraham Agri-Nature Center in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. This free workshop, “Ultra-Local Production: Micro, Small and Urban farms,” will assist farmers and ranchers in developing new ways to produce sustainable food, fuel and fiber.

This two-day workshop will have a variety of presentations and field demonstrations on sustainable agriculture strategies embracing WSARE’s three pillars of sustainability: profit, stewardship and quality of life. To register for this event, visit https://rsvp.nmsu.edu/rsvp/wsareclass. 

“Our workshops aim to bring individuals together from all aspects of farming and agriculture production to learn about the importance of sustainable agriculture,” said Danise Coon, NMSU’s Plant and Environmental Sciences senior research specialist.

“The workshop will focus on innovative trends in sustainability and demonstration of practices that have been successful. We also bring in Extension agents to learn and pass on the knowledge to their communities.”

On Wednesday, participants will be given a tour of the center’s community garden and incubator farm and will have the choice to go on a weed walk or insect walk. After these field demonstrations, presentations on insect pest management, herbicides, fruit trees and bush management will conclude the day.

On Thursday, participants will be given a tour of the center’s livestock paddock to discuss animal operation. Participants will then go to the center’s community garden for an irrigation demonstration, followed by a soil analysis demonstration at the center’s soil pit. The workshop will conclude with presentations on animal husbandry, crop production, irrigation and soil and water conservation.

Both days will include breaks for lunch and a food truck will be on site as well. For more information, contact Coon at hotchile@nmsu.edu, or Stephanie Walker, NMSU’s Extension Plant Sciences specialist, at swalker@nmsu.edu.