James (Jim) R. Sais

James R. Sais (Jim) passed from this life to eternal rest with his Heavenly Father on May 22, 2017. He was born in Los Lentes, NM to Silverio and Ernestine Sichler Sais in 1937. He had the fortune of growing up on the family farm. Part of his early education was his enrollment in the 4-H Youth Program. Upon graduating from Los Lunas High School he enrolled at New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (now New Mexico State University).

During the summer break, Jim worked for the Burpee Seed Co. Upon graduation from NM A&M in 1958, Jim was selected as New Mexico’s International Farm Youth Exchange Delegate (IFYE) as a good will ambassador to Ecuador, South America where he lived with various farm families. Upon his return from South America, Jim was hired by the Cooperative Extension Service of New Mexico State University. His first assignment was on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation. His tenure with NMSU was halted by a tenure with the US Army. He was next assigned to work as an Assistant County Agent in Rio Arriba County in charge of the 4-H and youth program.

In 1965, and while in Rio Arriba County, Jim married Susan Woodworth, a missionary nurse with the Evangelical United Brethren Church.

In 1967, Jim was a recipient of a National 4-H Fellowship in Washington D.C. While there Jim enrolled in the University of Maryland and obtained a Master’s Degree in Agriculture and Extension Education.

In 1971, Jim became the County Extension Agent in Bernalillo County, in charge of New Mexico’s largest 4-H program. He became the Bernalillo County Agriculture Agent in 1973. During his tenure as Bernalillo County Agent Jim started the first Farmers Market and the Master Gardener Program in the county. He wrote a popular weekly news column for the Albuquerque Journal entitled “Yard and Garden” for thirteen years.

In 1980, Jim became the State Urban Horticulturist for New Mexico State University (NMSU) and traveled the state presenting programs on various horticultural subjects. He authored numerous publications and produced video programs on gardening for NMSU. Jim was a frequent contributor to radio and television programs.

In the mid-1980s, he became the Northern District Department Head for the Cooperative Extension Service.

Jim was active in various groups and associations during and after his career. Jim served as Secretary, Vice President, and President of the New Mexico County Agents Association. He was member and president of the Espanola Valley Kiwanis Club and was a member of the Albuquerque Kiwanis Club. He was a charter member of the Espanola JC organization. Jim served on the creation of the Espanola Historical Society. He was a long standing member of the Think Trees organization. Jim served on numerous advisory boards.

He was on the board of directors of the Hubbell House Museum. Jim was the treasurer and an active member of ARTA, an agricultural and community development organization that worked with the Tarahumara Indians and other under developed areas of Mexico. Their objectives were to improve agriculture production, develop water systems, build and equip schools and to provide medical help to residents. For over a decade, he demonstrated chile ristra-making and was a judge at the New Mexico State Fair.

At the time of his death, Jim conducted a radio program every other Saturday mornings on 770 KKOB radio entitled New Mexico Garden Talk. He also presented a series of gardening seminars at Jericho Nurseries.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Silverio and Ernestine Sais; and, his brother John Ernest Sais. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan Sais of 51 years; and his children Kimberly Sais of Washington, DC; Todd Sais of Los Lunas, NM; John and Danielle (Aagaard) Sais of Albuquerque, NM; 5 grandchildren, Jaclyn Serru, Evan Sais, Jace Sais, Madeline Aagaard Sais, Ryan Elizabeth Aagaard Sais of Albuquerque, NM. He is also survived by his devoted sisters, Kathy Luna of Los Lunas, NM and Mary Lou Tarleton of Taos, NM, as well as numerous extended family members. Services will be held on Tuesday, May 30, at 2:00 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Albuquerque. Interment will take place on May 31 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.