New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service and the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau are leading a newly created program, AgXplorer, to teach children about the importance of agriculture. AgXplorer is an agricultural literacy program for New Mexico, which helps coordinate ag organizations that deliver educational programs.
AgXplorer is a collaboration between Extension, New Mexico 4-H, New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau’s New Mexico Agriculture in the Classroom, NMSU’s Department of Agricultural and Extension Education in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the New Mexico FFA Association.
“AgXplorer events provide opportunities for kids to explore the world of agriculture,” Extension State 4-H Agent Cheryl Butterfield said. “The events are designed to provide educational experiences that enrich the understanding of agriculture and our natural resources. The events are hosted in communities to bring together students, educators and experts in agricultural and natural resource topics.
“By offering programs to students, the hope is that a new era of consumers will emerge with knowledge of where their food, fiber and natural resources come from,” Butterfield said.
In 2022, an AgXplorer event held at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces for Doña Ana County, which was one of the pilot programs, hosted 416 participants. In 2023, the Doña Ana County AgXplorer numbers totaled 855 students, parents and teachers, according to Doña Ana County Extension Livestock and 4-H Agent Teresa Dean.
“We live in a world where everything is readily available and easy to get at the store but lack the foundational knowledge and understanding of the hard work, science and various jobs it took to make it available,” said Traci Curry, NMFLB Ag in the Classroom director. “It is important to understand how the items are produced and the value and impact agriculture has every day in our lives.”
The program provides curriculum resources, and the AgXplorer traveling trailer includes hands-on demonstrations.
“AgXplorer creates an awareness of career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math as well as the importance of those careers as they relate to feeding our growing world,” said Lacey Roberts-Hill, assistant professor in NMSU’s Department of Agricultural and Extension Education.
AgXplorer is available to schools or organizations interested in coordinating a program. To learn more about the program or request an event, contact Butterfield at cherylb@nmsu.edu or 575-646-1156.
-30-
CUTLINE: Kelli Younker, program specialist in the New Mexico Department of Agriculture Feed, Seed and Fertilizer Section, leads a demonstration during an AgXplorer event for Doña Ana County participants. New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service is partnering with several organizations to offer the AgXplorer program, which teaches children about the importance of agriculture. (NMSU photo by Lacey Roberts-Hill)