A pine seed that journeyed around the moon has been planted at the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum (NMFRHM). This Moon Tree will be unveiled to the public on April 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the outdoor classroom, previously known as the Discovery Garden, which is currently under construction.
In September 2023, NMFRHM Instructional Coordinator Paul Steward applied for one of the seeds that traveled on the Artemis I space mission. The seedling arrived at the museum by the end of April last year. "Growing plants in off-world environments is a growing field of study and this tree is a glimpse into that world," Steward said. "By growing a seed that flew on the Artemis I Mission around the moon, visitors get to see firsthand a plant that was impacted by space… We look forward to tapping into this curiosity in upcoming events and school tours."
The history of Moon Trees began with astronaut Stuart Roosa, who took seeds to space on Apollo 14 in 1971. Curator Brittany Porter noted that after returning to Earth, these seeds were germinated and planted, becoming the first generation of Moon Trees distributed worldwide during America's bicentennial celebrations.
In tribute to Apollo 14's legacy, new Moon Tree seeds traveled into lunar orbit aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft as part of its Artemis Program. These seeds spent approximately four weeks in space from November 16 to December 11, 2022, before returning to Earth. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Services to send five species of seeds aboard Artemis I.
The New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum in Las Cruces is part of the Department of Cultural Affairs. The museum covers 47 acres and showcases a history spanning over 4,000 years related to food and fiber production in this region. It features livestock, exhibits both indoors and outdoors, barns, a greenhouse, gift shop, and demonstrations.
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