Special Culture Series: Mescalero Apache History
Nov. 3, 1 p.m.
Dr. Michael Farmer will present a lecture on Mescalero Apache history through his latest novel, "Killer of Witches, The Life and Times of Yellow Boy." This is the first book in a trilogy that follows the history of the Mescalero Apaches from 1860-1951. Dr. Farmer's talk will focus mainly on the years 1860-1880 and the end of the Victorio War with insights into how a society that depended on raiding slowly evolved into one where agriculture played a prominent role. Admission to the lecture only is free. Regular admission will be charged to see the rest of the Museum.

Crafts for Kids
Nov. 7, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to come by the Museum and create their own fall crafts to take home. Regular admission is required for all family members: $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, $3 for children 4 to 17, and free admission for children 3 and under.

Blacksmith Workshop for Adults
Wednesdays (Nov. 4, 11, 18)
Thursdays (Nov. 5, 12, 19)
Learn the basic techniques of traditional iron and steel smithing in the Museum’s blacksmith shop. This nine-hour course, taught over three consecutive weeks by one of the Museum’s experienced blacksmiths, will provide you with the essential skills required to forge tools.
Class attendees will fashion and take home five useful items (valued at over $125). Class size is limited to three at a time. The cost is $150 plus a $15 materials fee. A $50 non-refundable reservation fee is required to hold a space in a class. Full payment is due prior to the first class. For more information, please call (575) 522-4100.

Culture Series: Reaching for Air: The Poetry of Gayle Lauradunn
Nov. 12, 7 p.m.
New Mexico poet Gayle Lauradunn will share story-telling poems from her book, "Reaching for Air." Lauradunn's poems are about drought, dirt and groaning windmills in West Texas during the 1940s. As a child, she followed sheep, learned about rattlers, and sang with the turkeys on a hard-bitten farm near Brady, Texas. "Reaching for Air" was named a finalist for the Best Book of Poetry Award by the Texas Institute of Letters in 2015. Admission is a suggested donation of $2.

New exhibit: “In a Nutshell: Growing Nuts in New Mexico”
Opens Nov. 13
Nuts grown in New Mexico are the subject of an outstanding new temporary exhibit in the Museum’s North Corridor. Few crops are more diverse and more individually tied culturally and economically to the various geographical areas of New Mexico than the state’s bountiful nut crops. Each of the state’s top nuts – piñons, peanuts, pecans, and pistachios – has its own story to tell about how and why it is grown and harvested. The exhibit covers everything from the definition of a nut, to its health benefits. In between is a fascinating look at the history, research, and uses as well as growing and harvesting techniques. The exhibit is on display until Sept. 25, 2016.

HomeGrown: A New Mexico Food Show & Gift Market
Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Food grown in New Mexico is showcased at this second-annual event as vendors from around the state will sell their products as the gift-giving season approaches. Food items offered for sampling and purchasing include award-winning salas, pies, cookies, sauces, honey, fresh produce, jerkey, candy, cheese, tortillas, wine, and much more. New Mexico crafts are also part of the event. The Museum is partnering with the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and the state's growers to offer great product to buy, samples, as well as cooking demonstrations, book signings and more. Admission is $5 per vehicle and the first 100 vehicles each day receive a free burlap shopping bag.

For more information, please call (575) 522-4100. All classes, workshops and events co-sponsored by the Friends of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. www.nmfarmandranchmuseum.org

4100 Dripping Springs Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011