Agriculture & Horticulture
Our county's agriculture must remain competitive within local, national and even international markets. This requires a continuous flow of appropriate technology addressing local needs within New Mexico. Our Extension program works to maintain and strengthen programs that address these needs. Water is one of the most important limiting resources for our county's agriculture. All aspects of water use affect agricultural efficiency and profitability. Water management will become more critical as water demands for urbanization and industrialization increase
Environmental problems are here, as well as Statewide; however I think we are a little unique with our smaller farmers and ranchers. If fertilizer costs money up front, most don't use it, same with medications or growth type pharmaceuticals for cattle or sheep. If it's money up front most don't use it. A great many of our farmers are not licensed for restricted use products and the same goes for most small ranchers. The septic tank water problems are bad in the area but that's not our agriculturist's, it's people who wanted out of town and domestic wells and septic tanks or open cesspools were put on the same side of the house. Houses were put close together with a domestic well and a septic tank between each place. That kind of planning always ends with problems.