3/31/2026
Last week, we had the opportunity to connect with students at Texas A&M University to share more about our upcoming study away course, Nutrition and Food Environment of the American Southwest.
This course is designed to take learning beyond the classroom—giving students the opportunity to experience firsthand how food systems and environment shape nutrition and health. From visiting farms and food enterprises, gaining insight into agribusiness operations, to engaging with local communities, students will gain a deeper understanding of the real-world factors that influence what we eat and how we live.
Experiential learning opportunities like this are critical in helping students to see the bigger picture, build meaningful connections, and apply their knowledge in ways that will prepare them professionally.
3/26/2026
Jess and Tony represented Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso at the State Of The City put on by @elpasochamber
Thank you to the El Paso Chamber for putting on an informative and impactful event!
3/25/2026
National Ag Day is a reminder of how essential agriculture is to our daily lives. From the food on our tables to the fiber in our clothing and the fuel that powers our communities, agriculture touches everything. We’re proud to support an industry built on hard work, sustainability and continuous improvement.
Today we celebrate the people who grow, raise and produce the resources we depend on. Happy National Ag Day! 🌾
3/24/2026
Today Dr. Palmate, Jess, and Tony attended the Socorro Independent School District College and Career Fair, spreading the word about Ag careers 🌾
3/20/2026
Xanath Reyes presented at Texas A&M’s Student Research Week! She presented on The Greater Texas Community Panel: Utilizing Public Opinion to Advance Health Through Agriculture which is a project a group of our El Paso team has been working on. Congratulations on presenting Xanath!
3/17/2026
Assistant Professor Dr. Stephanie Rogus will be presenting at Mindful Brain Food Fest!
This awesome event will include a five-course plant-based dinner, educational wellness presentations, mindful eating experience, local vendors wellness market, and raffle prizes!
3/2/2026
Members of our El Paso team joined colleagues from across Texas at the Extension Health Summit. We learned so much, had a great experience, and loved catching up with everyone.
2/24/2026
Dr. Girisha Ganjegunte was recently honored at the Regents Fellows Award ceremony. Congratulations on this wonderful honor Dr. GG!
2/9/2026
Jess and Tony are excited to be part of El Paso Water’s Citizens Academy this year! They learned all about logistics at the first meeting on Friday. Can’t wait to learn more about @epwater
2/2/2026
Our Research Faculty Member- Assistant Professor Dr. Kim Cervantes is having a Pecan Spring Training through AgriLife Extension!
Nutrient Management, Pest Monitoring, pruning and Sprayer calibration are some of the topics. There is a $30 Early registration fee. Onsite registration is $45.00
Registration is on line at:
https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/hort-ev-062
For more information please contact: Kim Cervantes 915-701-3210
1/27/2026
Three members of our El Paso Center team have been selected for GROW AgriLife! This is an incredible opportunity for them to strengthen their foundational skills, build teamwork, and continue growing in their roles. We are so proud of Dr. Alfaro Hudak, Dr. Palmate, and Jess.
Congratulations to each of you—and to the entire 2026 GROW AgriLife Cohort!
12/19/2025
Our team—Jhaman, Hashimi, and Girisha—joined scientists from around the world at CANVAS 2025 to spark innovation and inspire progress.
Hashimi shared his research on improving soil structure through enhanced soil carbon sequestration, along with a cost‑effective sensor‑based method for measuring GHG emissions. 🌱📊
It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with experienced scientists, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Grateful for the learning and inspiration! 🤝✨
12/12/2025
Quinoa is ready for harvest! 🌾 Check out these beautiful photos of the plant in its prime and our amazing team out in the fields!
12/10/2025
We’re proud to celebrate our Center Director, Dr. Beth Racine, for graduating from the @elpasochamber ’s 46th El Paso Leadership Program!
Beth is honored to have had this transformative experience, and we are grateful to the Chamber for their incredible work in strengthening leadership and fostering community engagement across El Paso.
Congratulations Beth!
12/4/2025
Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center at El Paso was represented by Program Coordinator Jessica Stott at the El Paso Chamber Annual Member Meeting!
This event was a fantastic look back at the Chamber’s achievements in 2025 and an exciting preview of what’s ahead in 2026. We’re thrilled to continue our membership with @elpasochamber and support growth and innovation in our region!
11/25/2025
Our annual pie day was a huge success! Our team had so much fun eating yummy pie and playing holiday games❤️
11/19/2025
El Paso’s own Dr. Girisha Ganjegunte has been named as a 2025 recipient of the Regents Fellows Award!
Congratulations to all of the newly named Regents Professors and Regents Fellows recognized by the @tamusystem for their extraordinary contributions!
Nine Texas A&M AgriLife employees were honored this year, two received Regents Professors titles and seven earned Regents Fellows honors. Please help us celebrate the individuals recognized for their dedication and achievements!
Learn more at the link below tx.ag/BORAwards2025
11/14/2025
Dr. Beth Racine, Dr. Katelin Alfaro Hudak, and Dr. Stephanie Rogus attended and presented at the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting. Check out this cool group picture!
11/11/2025
Our Center Director Dr. Beth Racine and Research Scientist Lilian Ademu both attended Prairie View A&M World Food Day.
Thank you, Prairie View A&M, for having our El Paso team!
10/30/2025
Last month, Dr. Katelin Alfaro Hudak joined leading researchers at the National Cancer Institute’s Shady Grove campus for a deep dive into dietary data and measurement error 📊🧠 The week-long workshop, led by Dr. Kevin Dodd and Dr. Kirsten Herrick, brought together experts from across the country—including El Paso teammates Dr. Stephanie Rogus and Dr. Lilian Ademu, who joined virtually 💻🌎 Grateful for the insights and collaboration pushing nutrition science forward!
10/28/2025
Valerie Mendoza, Senior Business Administrator, and Professor Dr. Girisha Gangegunte recently attended the inaugural LEAD AgriLife cohort meeting. They enjoyed the experience, learned about their leadership styles, and acquired valuable insights. A second session awaits them in February.
We’re proud of their leadership and excited about this opportunity for them👍
10/23/2025
Our Center Director, Dr. Beth Racine, recently participated in a panel discussion at “Charting the Course,” a program under Education Service Center (ESC) Region 19 that aims to connect students, including those in special education, with career opportunities and industry professionals in the El Paso area.
Thank you ESC Region 19 and Empowering Hands for the invitation!
10/20/2025
Kim, Jess, and Deen enjoyed sharing knowledge on our center’s initiatives and research at the UTEP DEERS Earth Science Week Celebration!
A big thank you to @utepdeers for hosting us 🌎🍃☀️
10/15/2025
Our team had such a fun time bowling at the El Paso Chamber Leadership Launchpad event!
This event raised over $45,000 for the Leadership Launchpad initiative.
9/23/2025
Earlier this month; Dr. Beth Racine and Dr. Santosh Palmate represented our center at the Texas A&M AgriLife Water Symposium. Dr. Racine presented status updates on water issues, news and research in the El Paso area.
9/18/2025
During our Rio Grande Colonias Regional Food Business Center meetings last week, we took a fun break to explore El Paso! We couldn’t resist taking a photo with the largest pair of genuine boots👍
9/17/2025
Some photos from last week’s Food & Farm Business: Value-Added Production Tour & Food Safety Workshop hosted at Boarder City Distribution. Thank you, Shannon Combest, for coming to share your knowledge with our Rio Grande Colonias Regional Food Business Center clients!
9/15/2025
Earlier this week our Center Director Dr. Beth Racine presented at the Texas A&M Nutrition Department’s first nutrition seminar of the fall semester!
9/9/2025
Thankful for the chance to reunite with our incredible Rio Grande Colonias Regional Food Business Center team. It’s always energizing, productive, and so much fun when we come together☀💚
9/5/2025
Dr. Girisha Ganjegunte was mentioned in the front page story of El Paso INC. Look up the El Paso INC Aug 31-Sep 6 paper to read the article!
8/30/2025
Our team had so much fun at our annual Summer picnic🍔 This year we even added a water balloon fight! What a wonderful way to end the summer season💧🤩
8/22/2025
Jess and Tony recently had the opportunity to attend two engaging @elpasochamber events!
They explored the future of El Paso’s Education and Workforce and also enjoyed a lively evening at Pints and Politics with El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson and County Judge Ricardo Samaniego.
8/10/2025
Dr. Girisha Ganjegunte and Dr. Kimberly Cervantes were interviewed by El Paso Matters for the article “As drought, climate change pressure El Paso water supply, farmers innovate to sustain orchards in one of nation’s biggest pecan-growing hubs” by Diego Mendoza-Moyers
7/31/2025
Thank you @conservationcareers915 for sharing your symposium presentations with our Research Center team!
We loved seeing the beautiful garden you all have cultivated and hearing about your research. Good luck at your presentations next week.
7/30/2025
Kim and Jonathan had so much fun at @elpasomuseumofarchaeology ‘s Insect Night!
Thank you everyone who stopped by and learned a little about insects with us🐞🐛🐜🦟🪲🪳🕷️
7/24/2025
Happy birthday to all of the July birthdays on our team! We hope you all had a fantastic month🥳
7/22/2025
Two of our El Paso Center team members have been selected for Lead AgriLife! This is a huge honor, and we are thrilled for both Valerie and Dr. Girisha. Congratulations to you both, and to all of the 2025 LEAD AgriLife Cohort!
“LEAD AgriLife is a robust program designed to accelerate the professional growth trajectory for personnel within strategic areas across Texas A&M AgriLife. The ultimate goal is to foster and develop these individuals for strategic leadership positions, all to positively impact their specific area within Texas A&M AgriLife in a cohesive manner aligned with the fundamental needs of both Texas A&M AgriLife and the people and communities it serves.”
