New mexico state university FY 26 smith lever 3 (B) and 3 (C) project abstract: new mexico state university's college of agricultural, consumer, and environmental sciences (ACES) has a mission to…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded New Mexico State University $4.593 million on October 1, 2025, under the Smith-Lever Extension Funding program (CFDA 10.511) for cooperative extension activities delivered across New Mexico through fiscal year 2030.

NMSU's College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences operates the state's cooperative extension service with staff present in all 33 counties and many tribal areas, reaching over 600,000 New Mexicans annually—more than one-third of the state's population. Extension programming spans economic and community development, human nutrition and health, agriculture, environmental stewardship, family and child development, and 4-H positive youth development. The college's research, extension, and education programs focus on four pillars: food and fiber production and marketing (including agroclimate science, bioeconomy, bioenergy and bioproducts, food safety, and sustainable agricultural production systems); water use and conservation; natural resources management; and family and community issues. NMSU Cooperative Extension collaborates with over 1,000 organizations, state and federal agencies, other universities, and 10,000 volunteers to deliver this work.

Performance occurs at Las Cruces, New Mexico, with the obligated amount of $4.593 million covering the five-year period through September 30, 2030.

New mexico state university FY 26 smith lever 3 (B) and 3 (C) project abstract: new mexico state university's college of agricultural, consumer, and environmental sciences (ACES) has a mission to improve the lives of new mexicans, the nation, and the world through research, teaching, and extension. New mexico's rich history is rooted in agriculture and remains a top producer in the agricultural industry. ACES research and extension support fundamental and applied science and technology research to benefit new mexico's citizens in the economic, environmental, social, health, and cultural aspects of agriculture, natural resources management, and family issues. Nmsu cooperative extension service has staff in all 33 counties and many tribal areas in new mexico and collaborates with over 1,000 organizations, state and federal agencies, other universities, and 10,000 volunteers. Every year, extension faculty reach over 600,000 new mexicans-more than one-third of the state's population-who benefit from wideranging CES educational programs in areas such as economic and community development, human nutrition and health, agriculture, environmental stewardship, family and child development, and 4-H positive youth development. The nmsu college of ACES bases research, extension, and education programs on four PI llars, which are the critical issues identified for our state. Each of these pillars drives economic and community development in new mexico. Food & fiber production and marketing - the focus on several key areas that support the growth and improvement of plant and animal agricultural products in new mexico. The college of ACES faculty and staff foster technological innovation to enhance competitiveness and security of new mexico agriculture and increase value-added in the state. Term long/science emphasis areas: agroclimate science bioeconomy, bioenergy, and bioproducts food safety sustainable agricultural production systems. Water use and conservation - water is the most limiting resource for new mexico. All aspects of water use affect agricultural efficiency, profitability, and human health. Water management will become more critical as water demands for urbanization and industrialization increase. Term: long science emphasis areas agroclimate science environmental systems sustainable agricultural production systems. Family development and health of new mexicans - the family is the fundamental institution of society. The college of ACES conducts research on human behavior, child and adolescent development, human nutrition and food science, clothing and textiles, and family resource management. The college's research and extension programs on human nutrition and wellness are aimed at keeping people from becoming ILL and are likely considered preventive medicine programs. Term long science emphasis areas family & consumer sciences food safety human nutrition youth development. Environmental stewardship - rural and urban human activities affect land, water, and air. Through teaching, research, and extension programs, the college of ACES is committed to furthering our understanding, using science-based knowledge, of human impacts on the environment and supporting environmentally-sound agricultural and natural resource practices. Term: long science emphasis areas agroclimate science environmental systems sustainable agricultural production systems. In addition to these critical issues, nmsu ACES research and extension are expanding efforts in value added agriculture and agricultural sustainability. New mexico is unique with four crop production regions, 11 plant hardiness zones, five defined watersheds, and 126 distinct soil types. Therefore, agricultural production varies from north to south and east to west. Having strategically placed agricultural science centers allows nmsu research to inform agricultural producers from around the state about best practices and advancements specific to their climate zone.