Association Members

Extension Specialists

As part of the NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service, Extension Specialists serve the community's needs statewide by assisting our County Extension Agents. Visit our New Mexico Counties to find contact information for your County Extension office. If you email an Extension Specialist directly, please include your County Agent in the message.

Extension Area & Specialist	Program Narrative
Agronomist Specialist John Idowu Extension Plant Sciences	Idowu’s program emphasizes a holistic soil and crop management approach. He is involved with training NM farmers, master gardeners, agricultural support professionals, and other stakeholders on improving soil health, enhancing field crop production, and protecting the environment.
Community Resource & Economic Development Specialist Michael Patrick Agricultural Economics and Business	Community economic development, rural development, business development, and entrepreneurship.
Educational Technologies and Production Specialist Pamela N. Martinez Innovative Media Research and Extension	Dr. Martinez oversees product development and assessment for grant-funded research projects. She has over 25 years of experience creating educational media and games and research strengths in diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring all audiences are represented in developed media and have access to appropriate learning tools.
Educational Technology Specialist Matheus Cezarotto Innovative Media Research and Extension	Educational media and technology, including games, apps, and virtual reality labs for formal or informal learning settings. Outreach programs on games, design, and technology for students in the community through the Learning Games Lab.
Entomologist Specialist Joanie King Entomology, Plant Pathology, and Weed Science	King's program focuses on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), arthropod identification, beneficial insects, pollinator health, and STEM education.
Family Life and Child Development Specialist Karim Martinez Extension Family and Consumer Sciences	The Family Life and Child Development program provides educational programs and resources focused on strengthening interpersonal relationships and promoting understanding of human development across the lifespan. Areas of interest include stress and resilience, mental health, and adverse childhood experiences (ACE).
Family Resource Management Specialist Bryce Jorgensen Extension Family and Consumer Sciences	Specialize in personal finance (budgeting, debt, building credit, investing, purchases, loans, etc.) and family finance (money relationships between spouses, parent/child, money personalities, etc.) to help individuals and families financial literacy.
Fruit Specialist Shengrui Yao Plant and Environmental Sciences	Fruit/berry production, alternative fruit crops, high tunnel fruit production, jujubes.
Horse Specialist Jason L. Turner Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources	Equine Management and Owner Education.
Livestock Specialist Marcy Ward Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources	Beef and sheep production/management. Rangeland nutrition, ranch products evaluation, performance, and quality analyses.
Meat Science Specialist Francine M. Giotto ANRS Meat Science	Meat safety with a focus on E. coli and Salmonella-contaminated beef; Conversion and valorization of meat processing waste into value-added products.
Program Development and Evaluation LaJoy R. Spears Agricultural and Extension Education	Dr. Spears specializes in program development and evaluation, offering adaptable services to enhance program outcomes. Her approach focuses on culturally responsive and equitable methodologies. She is also available as an external evaluator for research projects, aiming to ensure projects achieve their strategic objectives efficiently and effectively.
Urban Horticulture Specialist Marisa Thompson Extension Plant Sciences	Urban horticulture in New Mexico, including landscape ornamentals and backyard fruit and vegetable gardening.
Vegetable Specialist Stephanie J. Walker Extension Plant Sciences	Vegetable production for NM, including introduction of novel vegetables; Chile pepper mechanization, including cultivar development, field production protocols, and equipment trials.
Veterinarian John C. Wenzel, DVM Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resource	Beef Cattle health and well-being: vaccinology, immunity, disease, reproduction, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) and beef calf value-added programs. Also, livestock veterinary emergency response preparedness, foreign animal disease awareness, and veterinary education options for NM resident students.