Story by Paul Ratje

Last summer, New Mexico State University professor of agriculture and extension education Tom Dormody made a backpacking trek through the Sierra Nevadas in California to raise money for Jardin De los Niños, a shelter for homeless children in Las Cruces.

Dormody raised about $31,000 with his fundraiser, an amount that blew away his previous expectations.

Rewarding in many ways

“It came in a lot higher than we were anticipating.” Dormody said. “For a while it was the biggest fundraiser of the year for Jardin. Now it’s the biggest one they’ve ever had.”

Dormody’s month long trek led him through the John Muir Trail, a 211 mile long route south through Yosemite National Park, Ansel Adams Wilderness area, The John Muir Wilderness and Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park.

Dormody got the inspiration to make the trip three years ago while hiking on a strip of the John Muir Trail, when he ran into some hikers hiking the entire trail.

“I kind of planted the seed that this is something I could do and would enjoy,” Dormody said.

Surviving the trek

Taking such a trip is not an easy task, but Dormody seems the type who enjoys a good challenge. Everything was carried on his back, and he had to take careful planning in equipment he brought with him.

For the majority of his trip, Dormody ate granola, trail mix and protein bars, and he also cooked fish he caught along the way for dinner.

“There were longer hiking days where I didn’t get to fish, so there were a couple nights where I went to bed hungry and looking forward to breakfast,” he said.

Dormody has taught in the College of Agriculture at NMSU for 21 years. He is the recipient of such awards as the USDA Western Region Award for Excellence in College and University Teaching in the Food and Agricultural Sciences in 1996, the Honorary American FFA Degree in 2000, the Journal of Agricultural Education Author of the Year in 1993 and 1996, as well many others.