LAS CRUCES -- The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces has a new exhibit that focuses on the nut-growing industry in the state - "In a Nutshell: Growing Nuts in New Mexico."

Few crops are more diverse and more individually tied culturally and economically to the various geographical areas of New Mexico than the state's bountiful nut crops. Each of the state's top nuts - piñons, pecans, peanuts, and pistachios - has its own story to tell about how and why it is grown and harvested. Each shares certain botanical similarities, but they have their differences as well, just as they do in their particular contribution to the economy, history, and people of New Mexico.

"This exhibit has a strong emphasis on science and research, and it tells some wonderful success stories that highlight the ingenuity and determination of farmers and scientists in our state," said Craig Massey, the Museum's spokesman.

In the rolling mountain hills in much of the northern half of the state, the fall harvest of the nuts produced by the official state tree, the piñon, occurs as it has since the first humans came here more than 16,000 years ago. To the south -- from Luna County across Doña Ana County and to Chaves and Eddy counties -- lie some of the largest pecan orchards in the world, an industry that began nearly a century ago. In a small fertile pocket of the arid Tularosa Basin is the entire state's 40-year old pistachio industry in a group of small family-run farms around Alamogordo. On the sandy plains along the state's eastern border with Texas, grows virtually the entire country's supply of the delicious Valencia peanut, fed by months of sunshine, complex groundwater systems, and the tenacity of Roosevelt County farmers.

The exhibit covers everything from the health benefits, to the definition of a nut (of these four, only the pecan is a true nut from a botanical perspective). In between is a fascinating look at the history, research, and uses as well as growing and harvesting techniques. Through display panels, photographs and videos, visitors also are introduced to some of the farmers and scientists who helped make these nuts profitable and prominent crops in New Mexico.

The Museum is located at 4100 Dripping Springs Road in Las Cruces and is part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. The dynamic, 47-acre Museum features demonstrations, livestock (seven breeds of beef cattle, dairy cows, goats, sheep, horses and donkeys), barns, indoor and outdoor exhibits, a greenhouse, and a gift shop and snack bar. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (575) 522-4100 or visit www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org.