SW New Mexico News

The Cooperative Extension Service at New Mexico State University is expanding its reach and resources with the opening of new county facilities. In a recent development, the Curry County Extension Office was inaugurated at the Curry County Fairgrounds in Clovis, New Mexico, in September 2023.

Speaking about the new facility, Jon Boren, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences associate dean and director of the Cooperative Extension Service, expressed gratitude for the partnerships that made the project possible. He highlighted the importance of modern facilities in delivering quality programs for the residents of New Mexico.

Mindy Turner, the Program Director in Curry County, emphasized the positive impact of the new 6,272-square-foot facility, stating, "We're able to better serve the needs of Curry County because we have this facility here at our disposal." The facility includes Extension offices, a multipurpose programming space, and a demonstration kitchen, funded by support from the New Mexico Legislature and federal government.

Lance Pyle, Curry County Manager, highlighted the necessity of the investment in the new facility, stating, "We are a strong supporter of the Cooperative Extension Service, and this investment was much needed to improve safety, expand, and grow on the successes that Curry County has seen with Extension over the years."

Pyle also emphasized the importance of partnership and collaboration in achieving this milestone, acknowledging the support from Extension and the community participants. He mentioned, "Partnership and collaboration is key to success; we could not have made this facility happen without working together."

The new facility not only provides a more visible location for Curry County residents but also enables the Extension to offer a wider range of programming, including 4-H events and mental health trainings. It has sparked new interest in the community and allowed for increased engagement through food demonstrations and school field trips.

Furthermore, the new facility has already hosted various events, including joint lunches with officials from NMSU's Las Cruces campus and representatives from the City of Clovis and Curry County Commissioners. This collaboration underscores the strong relationship between NMSU and Curry County in advancing the goals of the Cooperative Extension Service.