Welcome to my DesertBlooms blog!

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My name is Marisa Thompson and I am the Extension Horticulture Specialist for New Mexico State University.  

Marisa Y. Thompson is the NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist
Dr. Marisa Y. Thompson
NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist
at August 15, 2017 FIELD DAY for the
Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center 

I'm based at the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center, approximately 30 miles south of Albuquerque.
Agricultural landscape just outside of the NMSU Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center in February, 2017
Agricultural fields and cranes just outside the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center in February, 2017.

My position is divided between two departments at NMSU: 75% Extension (Extension Plant Sciences) and 25% Research (Plant & Environmental Sciences).

The mission of Extension Plant Sciences is to extend research-based knowledge and technology that will enable producers, clientele, and citizens to improve the quality of their lives and enhance the agricultural, economic, environmental, and social well-being of New Mexicans. The department of Plant & Environmental Sciences has a mission to provide academic instruction, research, and service that focuses on agronomic crop, fruit and nut tree, vegetable, and horticultural production as well as soil management in semiarid ecosystems.

Here are some of my responsibilities:
1) Develop an active Extension program in practical and sustainable horticultural practices in urban and rural landscapes and commercial settings.

2) Interpret and disseminate current and relevant research findings for practical use by the public and green industry professionals through mass media, publications, workshops/conferences, demonstration trials and other proven Extension methods. 

3) Provide training and assistance to County Extension Agents and the public on various horticultural issues including, but not limited to landscape management, plant selection and identification, and landscape design with special emphasis on water conservation and abiotic plant stress mitigation.

4) Maintain close working relationships with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, State Engineers Office, other State and Federal Agencies, city and county governments, parks and recreation managers, commercial nurseries and professional landscape businesses.

5) Work closely with and provide statewide support to the NMSU Master Gardener Program and the Master Gardener Program Manager, as well as providing support to County Agent educational and training efforts.

6) Conduct an applied horticulture research program complete with graduate students and publication of research results in peer reviewed journals.

7) Acquire extramural funding to support, develop, and implement Extension and research programs.

California poppies at Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, Texas. Photo taken April 2016.
California poppies at Franklin Mountains State Park in El Paso, Texas.  I took this photo in the spring of 2016.

It's a pleasure to step into the role of Extension Horticulture Specialist for NMSU.  I look forward to collaborating with community members and researchers in the years to come.  

Stay tuned as I develop my program!
Location: 1036 Miller Rd, Los Lunas, NM 87031, USA

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