Agriculture & Horticulture
Our county's agriculture must remain competitive within local, national and even international markets. This requires a continuous flow of appropriate technology addressing local needs within New Mexico. Our Extension program works to maintain and strengthen programs that address these needs. Water is one of the most important limiting resources for our county's agriculture. All aspects of water use affect agricultural efficiency and profitability. Water management will become more critical as water demands for urbanization and industrialization increase.
Producers need to be aware of and understand that environmental problems effect their operations on a daily basis. These problems range from restrictions on chemical controls, marketing embargoes and bio-technical fears and concerns. Sustainable agriculture in Hidalgo is the blending of present and future technological innovations into the world market place to allow producers to continue their way of life while producing a cheap, dependable and safe product for the consumers. Hidalgo respondents to a 1998 survey ranks sustaining agriculture as their number one priority.