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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Sarah Roderick
Communications Assistant, New Mexico Department of Agriculture
Sroderick@nmda.nmsu.edu
Office: 575-646-1864

Sept. 16, 2022

AG Day showcases New Mexico agriculture Sept. 24

NMSU, NMDA host free, family-friendly event prior to NMSU football game

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Have you ever wanted to enjoy agriculture, food, friends, family and football all at the same time? Well, Sept. 24 is your lucky day. The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) and the New Mexico State University (NMSU) College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) will host the ninth edition of AG Day prior to the NMSU football game.

The street festival is free to the public and will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Pan American south parking lot and the Aggie Memorial Stadium northeast parking lot. The theme of this year’s AG Day is “AGgie Spirit: Strong and Resilient” in tribute to the award-winning commercial that showcases New Mexico agriculture. The day will culminate with the NMSU vs. University of Hawaii football game at 6 p.m.

A male college student with a black shirt and cowboy hat teaches a young boy how to rope with a roping dummy.
A New Mexico State University rodeo team member teaches a young AG Day attendee how to rope at a previous year’s event. The 2022 AG Day is Sept. 24 at New Mexico State University. AG Day is a free, educational event that features family-friendly activities from 2 to 6 p.m. leading up to the Aggie football game at 6 p.m. (Photo courtesy New Mexico Department of Agriculture)

With New Mexico Beef Council as the Grand Champion Sponsor and USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service as the Winners Circle Sponsor, AG Day will be the place to learn about agriculture with numerous educational booths, including NMSU College of ACES departments, programs and groups, NMSU student organizations and several other local agricultural organizations and businesses.

“AG Day is a great way for the community to learn more about agriculture while having some fun,” said New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte. “AG Day has turned into a popular tradition for the agriculture community, and we hope to make this year the best year yet!”

“Less than 2% of the population of the U.S. works in agriculture; however, those few feed all the millions in our country and many others in many countries of the world,” said NMSU College of ACES Dean Rolando Flores. “This is an opportunity to celebrate agriculture in New Mexico and in Las Cruces through learning from the work of faculty, staff and students in the ACES College at NMSU. Come, enjoy, have fun while learning!”

Two college-age women guide a brown horse ridden by a young girl wearing a helmet.
Students from New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences bring animals to AG Day each year to interact with attendees. The 2022 AG Day is from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at NMSU. AG Day is a free, educational event that features family-friendly activities leading up to the Aggie football game at 6 p.m. (Photo courtesy New Mexico Department of Agriculture)

New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association has been a longtime sponsor of AG Day. The association’s president, Loren Patterson, said the event showcases the impact agriculture has on everyday lives.

“Everything we do, everything we eat, almost everything we look at involves agriculture, and AG Day allows us to realize and appreciate the rich ag-based culture found in New Mexico,” said Patterson. “NMSU and NMDA’s AG Day showcases the impact agriculturalists make on our day-to-day lives. Think of them when you enjoy a game day brew, green chile cheeseburger or purchase a commemorative Aggie cotton T-shirt. I encourage everyone to attend this family-friendly event, and salute the farmers and ranchers who earn their livelihoods protecting our state’s abundant resources, by paying respect to our past and anticipating our future.”

Graphic with a cowboy mascot holding a gun in each hand, with a black cowboy hat, black mustache and crimson vest, leaning over the words NM STATE in all caps, white font, black outline. Behind the cowboy is a half-circle with yellow at the top, blue in the center and green at the bottom. Under the mascot are the words New Mexico’s Agricultural Community, 2022 AG DAY in crimson font. At bottom are the words Aggie Spirit – Strong and Resilient, surrounded by a gray box.
AG Day logo

There will be plenty of opportunities for families to learn about agriculture. The NMSU Therapeutic Riding Program and NMSU Animal and Range Sciences will provide attendees the opportunity to interact with animals. Organizations such as New Mexico 4-H, NMSU Cooperative Extension Service, New Mexico CowBelles, New Mexico Ag in the Classroom and New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum will educate the public about agriculture with fun activities. Attendees will also have a chance to listen to live music and sample New Mexico products.

For more information about AG Day, visit the AG Day web page, email pio@nmda.nmsu.edu or call 575-646-2804.

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