NMSU to host free plant telehealth clinic Nov. 30
Students from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at New Mexico State University will host a free virtual plant diagnosis clinic for community members with plant health problems later this month.
The 2020 Plant Telehealth Outreach event will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. Nov. 30, via Zoom. It is the first time NMSU students from the university’s Diagnosing Plant Disorders class will host their annual plant clinic online.
“For many years now, students in this class have held a community outreach event. This event provides the students with the opportunity to practice what they have learned in class and serve the community,” said Soum Sanogo, the course instructor and professor of fungal plant pathology in the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Weed Science. “In past years, the event has been held as a face-to-face event. But this year, because of the COVID-19 situation, we will host the clinic completely online.”
Community members interested in joining this year’s clinic must submit a request to participate to Sanogo at [email protected] before Nov. 30. Participants will then receive connection instructions via email.
During the event, participants will be able to ask questions regarding the health of any legal plant and speak directly to students, who will diagnose plant disorders. Sanogo encourages participants to submit photos of their affected plants.
Since 2013, students from the Diagnosing Plant Disorders class have hosted a free plant diagnosis clinic for community members from Las Cruces and surrounding areas. Each year, the event is held during the fall semester and averages about 30 to 40 participants who seek advice on a range of plant health topics.
Sanogo and three colleagues—Carol Sutherland, Extension entomologist; Leslie Beck, Extension weed specialist; Phillip Lujan of the NMSU Diagnostic Clinic; and Geno Picchioni, professor of horticulture and plant mineral nutrition—will assist the students during this year’s clinic.
For more information about the 2020 Plant Telehealth Outreach event, contact Sanogo at [email protected] or 575-640-6484.
