We’re excited not only for the new year but also to share with you all this great opportunity that has taken shape over the last few months. We’re proud to introduce to you the “New Mexico Ag 24seven” video series. Have you ever thought to yourself, “If only they could see what we do…(the time, effort, commitment, the struggle, and the passion and triumph)” or maybe, “I wish I could show people that being a farmer and/or rancher is truly a fulfilling 24/7 lifestyle”, etc…? Well, here’s a great opportunity to help share that story – join us!

 

Through New Mexico Ag in the Classroom and the support of NMFLB and its’ members, we’d like to invite you to share with students and educators from around the state what New Mexico agriculture looks like, in a year’s scope. The amount of stimulation and engagement that a simple video can do for students is endless, in that it can open their minds and empower them to explore careers within agriculture, as well as seeing how and where their food and textiles are locally grown. Having the chance to learn directly from YOU (the farmer and/or rancher), students and teachers can have a trusted voice as to how agricultural practices take place within our state – that’s a powerful thought.

 

Our vision for “New Mexico Ag 24seven”  is to create a video library of clips on our NMAITC YouTube page (that can range from 1-5 minutes – or longer if you feel comfortable) documenting insight on what events and tasks take place on a farm and/or ranch. Having multiple people involved in providing us with these video clips, not only helps to build our compilation of free virtual resources that educators and volunteers can readily utilize at the share of a link, but it is also a really handy tool for them to have at their fingertips as a resource in their “teaching toolbox”. Traci and I can also use the clips during teacher/volunteer training, share them on our social media platform, and use them within our in-person/virtual classroom presentations that we do. Essentially, it is filling a much larger and long-term role and we can achieve that together!

 

Our thought is that each video submitted will show a new/different aspect of the day-to-day operations to help put into perspective that no matter the time of year, there’s always something going on that needs a farmer or rancher’s care and commitment to get the task completed. It will also help students to see the connection of classroom instruction being applied to the land and animals, such as physical changes happening amongst the crops and livestock. From January to December, there’s great Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) education happening that needs to be shared.

 

HOW YOU HELP US – 

  1. Record a clip (1-5 minutes in length) of you or someone willing and able, to help document the exciting world of agriculture at your farm/ranch/ag business.
    1. This will include (1)sharing with us your general location (town or NW/NE/SE/SW quadrant – NO direct address, please), (2) the month/weather/temp, and (3) an explanation of the topic or activity you’re showing and why it’s an important task for your farm/ranch.
  1. Submit your video clip to agclass1@nmflb.orgthrough email, Dropbox, or our NMAITC Facebook Messenger app – depending on size & capability.
    1. Label video clip with your name & the submission month (ex: Lardner-February).
  1. Repeat as you see new things happen. I will send friendly monthly reminders to those who are interested in participating. These emails will be sent out at the beginning of each month with a quick reminder on some key activities to “keep a lookout for x, y, z moments”, since each month new brings something new in ag.
  2. Forward/Share this email with a friend/family member/neighbor that you know who would enjoy being a part of this project.

 

****Please reply to this email (agclass1@nmflb.org) to let me know you’re interested, so I can put you on my monthly email reminder list.****

 

Need some examples to inspire you?

Video topic example:

  • A great visual for students would be to have documentation of the growth process on either your crops or livestock – that helps them see what growth stage they’re at throughout the year (which educators could easily connect into their science curriculum).
  • January/February’s video clips could showcase breaking water around the ranch, and including a brief explanation of what additional animals also use that water source (wildlife), aside from the cattle, etc., OR a focus on the water source and why water tanks are necessary on the ranch.
  • July’s video clips could include a walk around the farm showing what fields are being watered, in which you can talk about the watering method you use: irrigation, pivot, etc., and explain how often you water during that month. Feel free to include anything else you do to the crops during that time frame (cultivate, spray, etc.).
  • Fall months could focus on harvesting – these clips could give us insight into what that harvesting process looks like (corn, chile, other garden goodies) or any harvest festival activities are always engaging.

Video examples to view:

 

We’re keeping a positive notion in our mind that this new year (2021) will be educational to our youth, no matter what platform we use to share the word of agriculture through, and hope that you will be willing to take New Mexico Ag in the Classroom along for the ride to show us what New Mexico agriculture looks like throughout the year.

 

Need help recording? Let us know and we work with you by either providing tips/tricks for recording troubles or if it fits into our schedule, we can join you at your farm/ranch to record on our device. ??

 

If anyone has questions or ideas, I’m happy to take a phone call (505)331-1508 or email.

 

Thank you for your time and we look forward to seeing this year in ag, through YOUR EYES! #newmexicoag24seven

 

Have a great week,