Events & Volunteer Opportunities

Updated by Marisa at 3:10 pm on Wednesday, July 29, 2026  

We harvested 500-1,000 POUNDS OF PEACHES yesterday and expect even more tomorrow! 



Please help us pick peaches on Tuesday and Thursday mornings this July! We have so many trees ripening now -- multiple varieties, including Intrepid, Sweet Dream, Crimson Rocket, Contender, and Blazingstar!  In addition to regular volunteer days with some fruit picking... we're hosting an EXTRA SPECIAL FRUIT PICKING PUSH on Tuesday, July 28 and Thurs. July 30!

***BYO boxes, baskets, or bags to take them home. Shallow vessels are best, as the fruit get smooshed when packed too deeply*** 

This week we'll also be collecting plant health data in the tomato study with IPM Extension Specialist Dr. Joanna Bloese and performing various orchard maintenance tasks.






We started our 2026 tomato study on June 9 & 11 (see photos below). This summer, we’re comparing drip versus flood irrigation and the effects of 15% and 50% shade cloth on 'Big Beef' and 'San Marzano' tomatoes. We’re also exploring fertilizer and foliar spray treatments on 'Glacier' cherry tomatoes.
As of 7/18/26, we have lots of diseased tomato. About 90% of the 54 leaf samples volunteers collected last week for testing at the NMSU Plant Diagnostic Clinic came back positive for beet curly top virus!








Special thanks to Janet, Isabella, and Willie for these photos!


We have harvested over 150 artichokes so far this year. Here we are with Kathy holding the basket of artichokes in the middle and Ray trying to steal a few. 🤣





Page contents:

  • Volunteering at the Los Lunas Ag Science Center!
  • Upcoming Events & Other Activities
  • Flyers for upcoming events 
  • Photos from Summer 2025

VOLUNTEERING WITH US at the Los Lunas Ag Science Center!

    • Where: Los Lunas Ag Science Center, 1036 Miller Road
    • When: Tuesdays & Thursdays from 8-11am, starting Tuesday, April 14
      • PLEASE CONFIRM BY CHECKING this list regularly for any updates, for example, we may need to occasionally cancel volunteer mornings due to inclement weather or if we're out of town.

    • In addition to tending the tomato study rows, we will be pruning fruit trees, maintaining the saffron study plots, preparing raised beds, and much, much more on these regular Tuesday/Thursday volunteer mornings! 
      • Park in the main parking lot and follow the ORANGE TRAFFIC CONES on foot to find the group wherever we're working that day. 
      • What to Bring: 
        • a Water bottle/canteen/vessel, 
        • Sun protection - hat, sunscreen, long sleeves/pants, 
        • Sturdy fieldwork shoes that can get muddy, 
        • Gardening gloves (we have extras, if needed), 
        • Camera! Please help me snap pics of our pruning adventures for posterity 
      • As always, you are welcome to arrive late or leave early on these days. 
Upcoming Events & Other Activities


July

  • Tues. July 28 AND Thurs. July 30 - EXTRA SPECIAL FRUIT PICKING PUSH! 8 am - 11 am. PLEASE HELP BY TAKING LOTS OF FRUIT WITH YOU AND PICKING EXTRAS FOR STAFF AND DONATIONS! 

    ***BYOB (BOXES, BASKETS, and BAGS) to take them home. Shallow vessels are best, as the fruit get smooshed when packed too deeply*** 


August

  • August 13, all morning: Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center FIELD DAY! Details and registration: https://loslunassc.nmsu.edu/  FREE LUNCH CATERED BY TEOFILOS!

  • SUMMERTIME FRUIT TREE PRUNING WORKSHOPS, Dates TBA, at the Los Lunas Ag Science Center.






Flyers:



Have an event you'd like to see posted here? Please share it with us! 







Pics from summer 2025:


Ready to be picked! In need of good home. Photo: Marisa 10-15-25 

Volunteers and interns — replanting failed tomatoes and moving solarization plastic on 7-17-25




Summer Fruit Tree Pruning workshop with TreeNM & volunteers on 7/10/25. 


Carol and I found these five hornworms on her tomatoes, and one was pooping when I took the pic.  📸 7-14-25. M. Thompson. 
















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