Seminar 2

 

Seminar Two took place in Artesia, NM. We had the opportunity to visit with numerous of speakers from different sectors. All the speakers were very good and provided excellent information. One of my favorite speakers was Mr. Woods Houghton. He is a retired extension agent and he talked to us about mental health in rural communities. For me personally, I thought his presentation was real, intimate, and powerful. It opened my eyes on mental health in the ag community and the how serious the issue is. I also enjoyed Mr. Aron Balok, Superintendent Pecos Valley Artesian Conservancy District talked about the water in the Pecos Valley.  His presentation on the history of water in Southeastern NM was very educational. I also enjoyed learning about the Pecos watershed and its uniqueness. Because of its limestone landforms and distinctive underground features, it is categorized as a karst watershed. Another interesting thing is that the aquafer is rechargeable. When rain runoffs and streams flow east off the Sacramento Mountains, the aquafer soaks up the water and recharges the basin.  The recharge occurs by the direct infiltration of water. And lastly, the tour of the Seven Rivers Pecan farm was also a highlight. The pecan trees were first planted in 1955.  The orchards have grown to over 850 acres and are easily identified halfway between Carlsbad and Artesia, New Mexico. Mr. Ross Townsend gave us a tour of their sorting plant and cold storage. Overall, seminar two provided very useful and educational material. Looking forward to the next seminar!