New Mexico Healthy Soils Program
Monday, August 31, 2020 at 5:30 PM (MST) from Rio Fernando Park in Taos, NM.
We are at a critical time for agriculture and the environment. The realities of extreme weather events, conflicts over water, the blight of rural communities, and diminishing natural resources are bearing down on all New Mexicans, with farmers and ranchers at the forefront of these serious problems. At the same time, awareness that soil stewardship can be part of the solution to the climate crisis has been rising and new approaches, mutually beneficial for agriculture and the environment, are gaining traction. Agriculturalists are looking for ways to improve their soil, but they require know-how, sustained technical assistance, help in over- coming institutional barriers, financial incentives, and risk mitigation.
- Ben Wright of the Taos Land Trust and Amy Larsen of New Mexico State University – Alcalde hosted this online workshop on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 5:30 PM (MST) from Rio Fernando Park in Taos, New Mexico.
- In this first of a two-part workshop series we cover soil testing, compost building and practical applications for reviving degraded land. Part 2 of the workshop will introduce cover crops, no-till seeding, and further assessments of soil health.
The Healthy Soil Program is administered by the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA). The Healthy Soil Working Group is the advocacy organization behind the bill. NMDA developed the program and is administering the funds. For more information on the Healthy Soils Initiative in New Mexico, visit www.nmhealthysoil.org
Fruit Tree Grafting and Orchard Care
Saturday, March 14, 2020 (no matter the weather) from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Rio Fernando Park in Taos, NM.
Learn to graft fruit trees and initiate their early stages of life!
A Hands-On Workshop with Gordon Tooley
- Cost: $125 (Some scholarships are available: APPLY HERE)
- Room is limited: Preregistration and 50% payment required to reserve a spot
- For questions, call us at: (575) 751-3138 or stop by the Taos Land Trust offices.
- Bring whatever grafting tools you have; sharp knives, pruners, clothes for changing weather.
- You are welcome to bring some of your own apple or crabapple scions (young shoot or twig). For successful grafts you need to bring last year’s new growth in straight twigs of around 1/4″ diameter (about the diameter of a pencil) and around 12″ long. Cut them just before the workshop. Bundle them together by variety, label them, and wrap the full length of the pieces in damp cloth or newspaper and then in a plastic bag, and store in the refrigerator.
- We will only have rootstock available for grafting apples and crabapples.
- Lunch is provided.
Gordon Tooley (left)